WEIRTON — The Weirton community has a long tradition of honoring those residents who have stepped forward to serve their country.

Among those efforts has been a program, launched in 2016 by Ward 1 Councilman Tim Connell and his wife, Chris, to display banners depicting Weirton residents who have served in the nation’s military, including information on their branch of service, military units, and when they served.

“We are proud of our veterans in Weirton, West Virginia,” Connell said.

The two feet wide by three feet high banners are displayed along several city streets between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, with the idea spreading to other local communities as well.

City officials, though, noted many of Weirton’s sons and daughters never made it home.

“We have over 500 banners,” Connell said. “Many of them were killed in action.”

In an effort to more properly remember those who have been designated as Prisoners of War, Missing in Action, or Killed in Action, a ceremony has been scheduled for 11 a.m., July 1, at the Brooke Hancock Veterans Memorial Park, located at 27 Marshaling Yard Drive, where the banners of those men and women will be rededicated.

Reflecting on some of his own family’s history, Mayor Dean Harris, speaking during this month’s regular Weirton Council meeting, noted the importance of honoring those who have served, and what they may have endured as part of their service.

“Being the son of a POW, that’s really special,” Harris said.

Located near the southern end of Weirton, the memorial park was developed as a way to honor the lives and service of area veterans.

Maintained by a group of volunteers, it includes memorial bricks with the names of local veterans, as well as a variety of military equipment and other memorials.