You have seen them in many towns and villages around the Northeast, banners with the name and picture of a past or present member of our country’s armed forces attached to the side of a pole along the main streets.[private]A fitting way to honor those men and woman who have or are currently serving our country. Taconic Valley Post 937 of the American Legion based in Berlin would like to see that become a reality in Berlin and the surrounding towns. 
Post Commander Chris Lecce says the program begins with letting the families of service members know about these banners, how they can order them, and coordinating the effort throughout the eastern portions of the county to get them installed. The only qualifications are that the veteran must have served honorably, and be or have a family member from the area.
The banners are 18”x36”, double sided in full color, and may be hung between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. The purchase of a banner kit includes a 12”x24” yard banner and mounting hardware. They include a picture of the service member, their name, branch of service, rank and the town they are from. The deadline for orders to ensure they are installed in 2017 is March. More information about the banners is available on the web site www.troopbanners.com/berlin, e-mailing nypost937@gmail.com or by calling Commander Lecce at 518-658-0552. The cost of the main banner kit is $130, and includes a banner placed on the Town’s troop banner web page so those not living in the area can see the service members being honored.
Banner order forms are available on line and at the Berlin Town Clerk’s Office, where pictures may be scanned or copied as well. Commander Lecce also stresses the importance of service verification, to ensure that only those who served honorably or are currently serving are honored. Lecce is also open to anyone who would like to help in the program in any capacity. They may contact him at any of the above mentioned addresses or number.