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<p>LUZERNE &#8212; Banners lining the streets of Luzerne are bringing a sense of patriotism and history to the borough.</p><p>Thirty-two banners included in the Luzerne Lions Club&#8217;s Hometown Heroes project line Main and Bennett streets, bearing the images of veterans who were born there.</p><p>Diane McHugh, treasurer of the service organization, said the idea for the project began at a meeting last year, with club members who wanted to make a difference in the lives of residents.</p><p>The club, restarted about a year ago, has recently decided to continue the project next year, with full support of the borough council and mayor.</p><p>&#8220;There were many veterans who were born here,&#8221; she said. &#8220;From every war of every age.&#8221;</p><p>McHugh said one of the banners bears the image a WAVE who had served in the naval reserve in World War II.</p><p>&#8220;That&#8217;s somewhat unique to be included in such a project,&#8221; she said. &#8220;We&#8217;re really proud.&#8221;</p><p>Mark Mizenko, district governor of Luzerne County Lions Clubs, said the banners often start a long overdue dialogue among families of those who have served.</p><p>&#8220;A lot of times, veterans would come home from war and just never talk about it,&#8221; he said. &#8220;And his children say, &#8216;O yeah, that&#8217;s right, dad served in the war.&#8217;&#8221;</p><p>Mizenko said many veterans left their homes while still very young to enter a life of service to their country, often seeing unthinkable things.</p><p>&#8220;Some wanted to go so bad,&#8221; he said. &#8220;They even lied about their age. Some were 17 when they went in.&#8221;</p><p>The project was first unveiled this year on Memorial Day beginning at the Veterans Memorial on Bennett and Academy streets.</p><p>Although family members or sponsors pay for the banners, this year the council provided the brackets that attach them to poles.</p><p>The borough also provided the manpower to hang the banners.</p><p>&#8220;It wasn&#8217;t without challenges,&#8221; said Mizenko. &#8220;Sometimes they would try to attach a banner to a pole and they wouldn&#8217;t be able to do it.&#8221;</p><p>Both deceased and living veterans, even those still in active service, are eligible to have their images placed on a banner.</p><p>The project, Mizenko said, keeps with the mission of Lions Club &#8212; serving communities, meeting humanitarian needs, encouraging peace and promoting understanding.</p><p>&#8220;Lions Clubs have expanded in scope,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Members come up with an idea and we&#8217;re more than likely to help them make it a reality.&#8221;</p><p>The club also has several Leo Lion Clubs in Luzerne County, with members between the ages of 13 and 18.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a great opportunity for young people to serve,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It also looks good on a resume or college application.&#8221;</p><p>Another service offered by the Lions Clubs is operation of Beacon Lodge which provides opportunity for disabled people to experience a full camping experience.</p><p>Mizenko said Project New Hope, which also operates out of the camp, provides disabled veterans the opportunity to camp, spend time with families and increase their quality of life.</p><p>&#8220;Helping veterans, honoring them, is so important to our organization,&#8221; he said.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Diane McHugh, of Luzerne, and Mark Mizenko, of Kingston, talk about the banners honoring veterans that line Main and Bennett streets in Luzerne. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0></photo0><caption0>Diane McHugh, of Luzerne, and Mark Mizenko, of Kingston, talk about the banners honoring veterans that line Main and Bennett streets in Luzerne. </caption0><photoCredit0>Clark Van Orden | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072616flags.Luzerne02.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Banners honoring veterans of the U.S. Armed Services line Main Street in Luzerne. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072616flags.Luzerne02.jpg</photo1><caption1>Banners honoring veterans of the U.S. Armed Services line Main Street in Luzerne. </caption1><photoCredit1>Clark Van Orden | For Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072616flags.Luzerne03.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Banners honoring veterans of the U.S. Armed Services line Bennett Street in Luzerne. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072616flags.Luzerne03.jpg</photo2><caption2>Banners honoring veterans of the U.S. Armed Services line Bennett Street in Luzerne. </caption2><photoCredit2>Clark Van Orden | For Times Leader </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072616flags.Luzerne01CMYK.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Diane McHugh, of Luzerne, and Mark Mizenko, of Kingston, talk about the banners honoring veterans that line Main and Bennett streets in Luzerne. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072616flags.Luzerne01CMYK.jpg</photo3><caption3>Diane McHugh, of Luzerne, and Mark Mizenko, of Kingston, talk about the banners honoring veterans that line Main and Bennett streets in Luzerne. </caption3><photoCredit3>Clark Van Orden | For Times Leader </photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072616flags.Luzerne02CMYK.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Banners honoring veterans of the U.S. Armed Services line Main Street in Luzerne. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072616flags.Luzerne02CMYK.jpg</photo4><caption4>Banners honoring veterans of the U.S. Armed Services line Main Street in Luzerne. </caption4><photoCredit4>Clark Van Orden | For Times Leader </photoCredit4></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072616flags.Luzerne03CMYK.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Banners honoring veterans of the U.S. Armed Services line Bennett Street in Luzerne. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo5>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072616flags.Luzerne03CMYK.jpg</photo5><caption5>Banners honoring veterans of the U.S. Armed Services line Bennett Street in Luzerne. </caption5><photoCredit5>Clark Van Orden | For Times Leader </photoCredit5></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>More information</strong></p><p>For information about Luzerne Borough Lion&#8217;s Clubs or to sponsor a Hometown Heroes banner can access the Facebook page at <a href="http://tlgets.me/jre" target="_blank">http://tlgets.me/jre</a> or email Diane McHugh at DixieChicken61@gmail.com</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Luzerne Lions’ Hometown Heroes project brings pride, patriotism to borough