The City of Ottawa is excited to announce the 2025 Veteran Banner recognition program, which honors veterans who have selflessly serviced in the United States military.
Sponsorship:
The 2025 Veteran Banner program is made possible through the generous sponsorship of
Bob and Pam Thrush.
Program Overview:
The banners will be showcased on light poles in downtown, specifically along LaSalle Street, Main Street and Court Street, for a two-week period before and after both Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
At the end of November, the banners will be taken down and returned to the applicant.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
- The honoree must be an honorable discharged military veteran of the United States Armed Forces. Active-duty service members are not eligible.
- The honoree must be a current, former, or deceased resident within the 61350-zip code.
Application Process:
Due to the limited number of banners available, applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority may be given to veterans who served during the earliest wartime periods.
To apply, submit a completed application along with a photograph of the veteran in military uniform (digital format preferred). Your submission will be considered completed only when both the application and the photo have been received.
Exclusions:
- Individuals who have previously participated in the program are ineligible to participate.
- Active-duty service members are ineligible.
Submission Information:
Submit the application and photo to Tami Koppen, City Hall, 301 West Madison Street, Ottawa, IL or via email at [email protected].
This program provides a meaningful way to honor and acknowledge the sacrifices and service of our veterans. We encourage all interested individuals to apply promptly, as the number of banners available is limited.
Questions:
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
- Tami Koppen via email at [email protected] or by phone at 815-433-0161, ext. 240
- Dan Pond via email at [email protected] or by phone at 815-433-0161, ext. 244