Pilot to honor Hometown Heroes

The Town of Pilot Mountain will be honoring servicemen and servicewomen with its Pilot Mountain’s Hometown Heroes Banner Program.

Officials with the town said this year marks the fifth anniversary for the program and they want to make the recognition ceremony “extra special. We invite past heroes and their friends and families to come celebrate with us.”

Next Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. they will be honoring service members as Pilot Mountain’s Hometown Heroes in a recognition ceremony downtown.

Pilot Mountain Mayor Evan Cockerham said, “Each year, banners are hung throughout downtown Pilot Mountain to honor local military servicemen and women. Their families are invited to celebrate them as well. At the ceremony we usually have a few different speakers to address them, and framed copies of the banners are presented to each family as a way to recognize them individually.”

“This year we are excited to have some special guests speaking as well, Rep. Kyle Hall from the North Carolina General Assembly and Congresswoman Virginia Foxx will offer speeches. I will provide closing remarks.”

The Hometown Heroes program, “Is a living tribute created for the community to recognize and honor Pilot Mountain residents and their family members who are serving or are veterans who have served our country in the United States Armed Forces. Each banner will be in honor of a specific service person and will include their name, branch of service, and a photo. Banners will be displayed on Main Street in Downtown Pilot Mountain from Memorial Day until Veteran’s Day to both celebrate and remind the community of their dedication to our country.”

Downtown banners are funded through donations and organizers said they cost $125 to make, install, and then remove after Veteran’s Day. Honorees call Pilot Mountain their hometown, but organizers said some reside in surrounding communities. They served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Coast Guard, or Space Force were eligible if they are active duty, honorably discharged, or died in the line of duty.