ADAMS, Mass. — The "Banners for Fallen Heroes" project has found a sponsor. 

 

The project, which will honor Adams' servicemen and -women killed while serving the country with a banner hanging from utility poles through downtown, caught the eye of Adams Community Bank and it has stepped up to cover the associated costs.

 

"This is a no-brainer for our hometown. We know there will be some press obviously but we're not looking for that. This was something that was just right to do," said President and CEO Charlie O'Brien at this week's Fallen Heroes committee meeting. "These people have served our country so well, so nobly. Once we got some of the details everything just fell into place. It was something we had to do. We're happy and honored to be part of this project."

 

Selectman James Bush is part of the group and had trouble believing what he was hearing when he got the call from Senior Vice President of Lending Maureen Baran.

 

"It's the best news I've gotten in years! I had to pinch myself to believe it. This is awesome," Bush said.

 

Baran was surprised at how much the small group had already accomplished in such a short time period. The group was formed in late 2019.

 

"I was impressed from the first conversation with Jim at how far you guys had come. How much you had got done. You had who would do the banners, estimated cost, locations, Verizon permission. It had just hit iBerkshires when Charlie called me," she said. 

 

 The goal is to start production in March and get the banners hung before Memorial Day. The group wants to hold an opening ceremony roughly a week before the Holiday so they don't interfere with the  annual Adams Memorial Day parade. 

 

The banners, featuring a photo of the deceased along with their rank and branch in which they served, will be displayed from Memorial Day until Veterans Day. The committee has received just under 10 applications so far. Since there will be a picture of the deceased on the banner, permission in the form of a waiver is needed from the family to get included.

 

Anyone who is interested in participating can visit or call Adams Town Hall at 413-743-8300, Ext. 100, or the American Legion at 413-743-1469 and ask about the Fallen Heroes project. There is no cutoff date but in order to be part of the initial installation and ceremony, the group recommends getting in touch as soon as possible as the banners will be going into production soon.