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Santee Hometown Heroes Banner Program

Would you like a chance to help the City of Santee honor someone who served or is serving in the U.S. military?

The City of Santee’s Hometown Heroes Banner Program recognizes and honors Santee residents (current or past) and/or their family members, Santee business owners/ operators, adopted Marines from the City of Santee's adopted Marine units, who have served, are serving, or have given their lives in service in the United States Armed Forces. The Hometown Heroes Banner Program is governed by the Hometown Heroes Banner Program Policy (Amended 10/5/23) which contains all eligibility and application requirements.

Banners featuring the names and faces of Santee’s approved military Hometown Heroes will be displayed on light pole banners along the Veterans Memorial Bridge (Mast Blvd Bridge: Between Pebble Beach Drive & Fanita Parkway). Veterans are also featured on the City's website page.

Banners:

Full color, double-sided (24” width x 72” height) custom banners include an image of the honoree, their name, military branch, rank and service dates.
City will install Banners three times a year on a four-month cycle, or as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the City Manager or designee.
Cycles listed below:

Cycle A: November – February (Cutoff October 1)
Cycle B: March – June (Cutoff February 1)
Cycle C: July – October (Cutoff June 1)

Apply for a Banner

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis. Applications are accepted throughout the year, however the cutoff period for each cycle will be a month prior to a cycle to allow enough time to produce the banners.

Please expect to have the following initial application materials ready when filling out the application:

Digital Photographs:Photo resolution must be 300 dpi or higher.
- Official military or professional/in uniform portrait is required.
Proof of Residency:
- The Honoree’s or close family member’s proof of Santee residency (i.e., copy of driver’s license or utility bill within 60 days of the application being submitted).
Verification of Military Status:
- Copy of their DD214 (Honorable Discharged)
- Other formal documentation of veteran status
Hero’s Information:
- Name
- Rank
- Branch of Service
- Service Dates
- Certification of Family Member/Affiliation
- Certification of Criminal History (No convictions of violent felonies as defined by California Penal Code 667.5 or equivalent offenses in other states)
- Additional forms, agreements, and acknowledgements as the City Manager or designee may require.

Additional Information

Application Tentative Approval, and Additional Requirements for Final Approval

Submit application and supplemental documents to obtain tentative approval
City will review, confirm eligibility and tentatively approve applications
City will send an email once the application has been tentatively approved and request the following:
- Program fee of $200 (we will send payment link):
  - Covers: (1) printing of the banner, (2) installation and removal of the banner, and (3) processing of the application
- Review & Sign Documents
  - Terms & Conditions, Release, and Indemnification Form signed by applicant
  - Honoree Consent and Release signed by Honoree, if alive and not legally incapacitated
Once the City has received all the above items within the time specified, we will give final approval, create the banner and then send it to print. If we do not receive all the completed items the application will be put on hold.
You will be notified of what banner Cycle the Heroes Banner will be displayed in and when the Hero’s information will be featured on the City’s website
Each cycle of the program is intended to run a minimum 4 months; at the end of that cycle, the City may donate the retired Banner to the Hero or applicant. Otherwise, the City of Santee may keep or recycle the Banner.

Additional Banner Cycle Requests

Applicants have three options for what happens to their banner after their cycle ends:

The Applicant’s banner will be, by default, removed from display at the end of their cycle and available for pick up at Santee City Hall, Building 1 (10601 Magnolia Ave., Santee CA).
Applicant can request/apply* their banner to be on display for another year (not on Veterans Memorial Bridge). The applicant must pay the cost of re-installation and removal (not to exceed $100). The City of Santee cannot guarantee longevity of the banner. If the banner quality deteriorates and becomes unable to be displayed, the City will remove the banner.
Applicant can re-submit* their hero for the next available banner cycle, which would include a banner reprint. The banner would be displayed, once again, on the Veterans Memorial Bridge for 4 months and between West Hills Parkway and Carlton Hills Blvd for another 8 months. The fee for Option 3 is not to exceed $200, which covers the cost of installation/removal and printing.

Applications will be considered on a first-come-first-served basis and based on availability. Re-applicants will not be given priority over other applicants.

*Re-Application must be made at least a month prior to the display cycled desired.

Apply Now

Additional Resources and Materials

Space is limited, and the City reserves the right to cap the number of applications. For more information, call 619-258-4100 x162 or view the City’s Hometown Heroes Program Policy (Amended 10/5/23).

Please note that this Program is not intended to create a forum for free expression by the public; rather this Program is intended to serve as an expression of the City’s official sentiments, as set forth in the Program Policy.