Panama City Beach still has more than 50 spots in this year's Veterans Hero Banner Program

PANAMA CITY BEACH — There still are some opportunities to participate in a local program to honor veterans on the Beach.

According to Mary Coburn, a member of the Panama City Beach Council, there are more than 50 spots left in this year's Veteran Hero Banner Program, which allows people to purchase banners dedicated to family members or friends who have served in the military.

"The people here in Northwest Florida (are) very supportive of the military," Coburn said. "This is a great way to honor someone who has served our country, and it also is a great remembrance of those individuals who gave their lives for our country and for our freedom."

The city started the program last year, and only 28 banners were available then. Because of its success, the program was expanded this year to 115-120 total banners, of which 38 have already been purchased and are on display along Powell Adams Road and Richard Jackson Boulevard. The banners cost $100 each.

The city said additional banners purchased this year will be hung along South Thomas Drive. The city announced the availabilities in a Facebook post on Wednesday. As of Friday afternoon, it had about 70 reactions.

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The money paid to purchase the banners is used by Panama City Beach to cover its costs. Banners are then returned to buyers after Veterans Day. They can be bought to honor both active and past military members, and they do not have to be local residents.

"If we don't honor the sacrifices that (veterans) have made, for one thing, younger generations lose touch with that," Coburn said. "I think that it's just really important to encourage and educate young people of the price that's been paid for the freedoms that we have today."

For more information on the program, visit https://www.pcbfl.gov/how-do-i/nominate-a-veteran-hero.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: 50-plus spots still open in Panama City Beach veteran banner program