Applications Now Open for 2026 Military Banner Recognition Program

Published on November 12, 2025

City of Melbourne Salutes Hometown Heroes banner on street pole next to a tree.

The City of Melbourne is now accepting applications for the 2026 “Melbourne Salutes Hometown Heroes” military banner recognition program.

“Melbourne Salutes Hometown Heroes” is designed to honor City of Melbourne residents, business/property owners, or their immediate family members who are actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, are veterans, or were killed in the line of duty. The program also recognizes City of Melbourne employees who are veterans.

Between May 1, 2026, and July 4, 2026, the City will display street pole banners along New Haven Avenue in Downtown Melbourne, each featuring a different veteran’s name, photo, branch of service, and years served.

To qualify for a banner, an honoree must be a United States Armed Forces active duty or honorably discharged service member or a military service member who has died in the line of duty. Proof of military service (i.e. copy of military orders or military ID, DD214) will be required. Honorees must also be:

A current City of Melbourne* resident, OR
A business/property owner in the City of Melbourne*, OR
An immediate family member** of a current City of Melbourne resident or business/property owner, OR
A City of Melbourne employee.

Applications will be accepted today (November 12) through January 26, 2026. Qualified applicants will be selected for banners on a first come, first served basis.

For more information and to apply go to melbourneflorida.org/hometown-heroes.

*To determine if your address is within the city limits of the City of Melbourne, use this interactive map.

**Immediate family members include wife or husband, son or daughter, mother or father, brother or sister, grandson or granddaughter, or son-in-law or daughter-in-law.