Lake County Gazette

The Village of Vernon Hills has announced its collaboration with American Legion Post 1247 to honor residents who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. This initiative, detailed in a December 6 news release, involves the annual creation of Military Honors Banners.

According to the Village of Vernon Hills, applications for the 2025 Military Honors Banners are now open. Individuals can apply on their own behalf or nominate a friend or family member for this recognition.

The Military Honors Banner Program is designed to acknowledge village residents' military service by displaying boulevard banners featuring their image, name, rank, branch of service, and combat deployment information if applicable. Each January, new banners are created and displayed from Memorial Day to Veterans Day. Eligibility requires that the service member or veteran has served in or lived in Vernon Hills.

American Legion Post 1247 is part of the largest U.S. veterans organization, boasting over 1.6 million members since its founding in 1919. The organization advocates for veterans and their families through various programs and services aimed at securing benefits such as the GI Bill and establishing the VA health care system.

The Village of Vernon Hills serves as the local government entity for Vernon Hills, Illinois. Led by an elected President and Board of Trustees, it oversees departments responsible for community development, finance, public works, and public safety. The current president is Roger Byrne. The Village also provides services like citizen recognition programs and special events.