Greensburg banners, 2nd annual event to celebrate hometown heroes

The city of Greensburg is gearing up to honor local veterans and first responders during its Hometown Hero Celebration in May.

Scheduled for 11 a.m. May 21 at St. Clair Park, the event will honor 94 military and non-military heroes, many of whom are featured on banners that soon will be hung around Greensburg and Southwest Greensburg. The celebration is hosted by the Greensburg Community Development Corp.

“It’s the least that we feel we can do to give back,” said Chrissy Leichliter, Greensburg Community Development Corp. board member.

The goal of the event is to honor the heroes while hearing speeches and performances by several local organizations. A final list of presenters was not immediately available.

Officials are working to bring in a food truck to serve coffee and donuts, said Leichliter, who is anticipating “a bigger and better event this year, even over last year.”

Last year was the first time GCDC hosted the Hometown Hero Celebration. The event drew almost 300 people from 16 states to the park, where 64 heroes were honored, including military veterans, first responders and Mother Aloysia Lowe, the nun who served as Mother Superior of the Sisters of Charity from 1870 until 1889at Seton Hill.

In addition, the Westmoreland Symphony String Quartet and the Seton Hill University Pipe Band performed. Local Boy and Girl Scout troops also were involved.

This year, the event will occur after decorative banners are hung, each featuring a photo and name of a hero. In Greensburg, banners will be located downtown, on West Second, Otterman and Pittsburgh streets, and on North Maple, College and Harrison avenues. In Southwest Greensburg, banners will be located along South Main Street.

Leichliter expects the banners to be placed over the next several weeks.

More details regarding the Hometown Hero Celebration will be released closer to the event.