Hatboro Officials Are Apologizing For Memorial Day Messup. Find Out Why.

HATBORO, PA — Every year, the borough hangs Hometown Hero banners along York Road to honor its veterans.

But this Memorial Day weekend, those banners were missing.

"We extend our sincerest apologies for the failure to have the Hometown Hero banners displayed in time for the holiday season. There are no excuses for this oversight, and we take full responsibility for the error," the Hatboro Chamber of Commerce said.

Borough Manager Diane Hegele said the borough received calls and inquiries regarding the missing Hometown Hero Banners.

"I can assure everyone that the banners will be picked up from the Chamber of Commerce and hung (this) week by our Public Works Department," Hegele said.

The borough hangs the banners every year in support of a program administered by the Hatboro Chamber of Commerce.

Hegele said the program was a Chamber of Commerce fundraiser a few years ago, and the borough only hangs the banners in support of the program.

"Regretfully, the banners were not hung in time for the Memorial Day weekend due to circumstances beyond the borough's control," Hegele said.

No reason was provided by the borough or chamber for why the banners were not hung up.

"The contributions and sacrifices of our active military members and veterans are of the utmost importance — not only to us, but to the entire Hatboro community. It is our duty and honor to recognize and respect their service," the chamber said.

The chamber said, to make amends, that it will replace several banners that have deteriorated over time (10+ years). This will be done at the chamber's expense as "a demonstration of our commitment to honoring these individuals and restoring the integrity of this program."

Meanwhile, Hegele said after a discussion with Borough Council members, the borough will request that it takes over the program from the chamber to ensure "that it is done timely and with the respect that each and every person on those banners deserve, especially around this time of the year when we all come together for Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day."

"The Borough of Hatboro and staff honor and support each and every active military member, veterans, and sadly, all those who made the ultimate sacrifice," Hegele said. "While we do not know the circumstances around each individual and their service to our country, we are saddened that the Borough did not receive the banners in a timely manner and that they could not have been displayed for family, friends, and others to see especially on this solemn remembrance, Memorial Day.

Hegele said that having the borough assume responsibility for this initiative will ensure that these banners and those that served our country and the families that spent the funds to support the program see their family members proudly displayed along York Road.

"We are grateful to the Borough of Hatboro for stepping forward and assuming responsibility to ensure this important recognition will be handled properly in the future. Their support is invaluable in helping us prevent such an issue from occurring again," the chamber said.

"To the residents of Hatboro, and most importantly to the heroes and families affected by this lapse, we offer our deepest apologies," the chamber said. "We remain dedicated to making this right and to ensuring that our future actions reflect the respect and gratitude our service members deserve."