The end of the Hometown Hero Banners - for now

Bob Smith (left) and Bob "Bull" Warfel finished out the Hometown Heroes Banners project today with a total of 635 banners hung.

Today marks the end of the Hometown Hero Banners project - for now. Bob Smith, who spearheaded the project, and Bob “Bull” Warfel, who hung the banners, are "hanging it up.” The last banner - number 635, of Charles E. Weigel, Sr., was hung at 9th & Locust today.

The project began in 2022 when Smith noticed that a few other area municipalities had hung banners recognizing military personnel past and present. Smith, along with Roger Wallace and Don “Granny” Arndt decided Columbia needed to step up and do the same. Smith then approached council, which gave its blessing, and the orders began coming in.

The first banner hung was that of Raymond C. Wallace Jr, who parachuted into Normandy on D-Day. His banner was hung on the corner of 3rd & Locust in September 2022. (Wallace passed away on Christmas Day 2023.)

Public Works Manager Jake Graham (now also serving as interim borough manager) helped with scheduling, manpower, and equipment.

“I want to give a big shout-out and thank you to Jake Graham,” Smith said. “Jake was very important in coordinating this whole thing. Without his help, I wouldn't have been able to do it.”

Bob Warfel finishes hanging the last banner, #635.

Smith also thanked Bob Warfel. “Bob's a tremendous help,” Smith said. “He handled the banners with respect and just did a great job.” Warfel said it was “an honor” to help with the project.

Smith thanked Robin Gamby, whom he called his “computer wiz,” for coordinating the orders.

He also thanked Roger Wallace for doing the financial work and for making the VFW available for storage of the banners.

Last but not least Bob gave special thanks to Donald “Granny” Arndt, who was with the project at the beginning. "Donny passed away on October 25th, 2023," Smith said. "Rest in peace."

Smith said the project could resume sometime in the future.

Thanks, Bob and Bob!