LEXINGTON, Ky. — The City of Lexington announced it has opened applications for the third annual Veterans Street Banner Program, which honors local veterans each November in recognition of Veterans Day. The Commission on Veterans' Affairs is inviting Lexington residents to nominate veterans with connections to Fayette County for recognition.

The program was launched in 2024 by recognizing Fayette County's Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame inductees. Since its inception, 54 veterans have been honored through the initiative. This year, 25 banners will be displayed along Vine Street during the Veterans Day holiday period.

"We have taken intentional steps to recognize and honor Lexington's men and women who have committed their lives to serving our country," Mayor Linda Gorton said in a statement. "The Veterans Street Banner Program is one of the ways we can take a moment to thank our veterans for their service."

The application process requires nominating residents to provide supporting documentation, including a military DD214 discharge certificate, a high-resolution photograph, and a brief description of the veteran and his or her service. Nominations are accepted through an online portal, with a deadline of August 3. Completed applications will be reviewed by the Commission on Veterans' Affairs.

The program is a partnership among the Mayor's Office, the Commission on Veterans' Affairs, and the Lexington History Museum, which curates a complementary digital exhibit highlighting the lives and service of honored veterans. Stablemate Creative provides design work for both the banners and the digital exhibit.

Lexington has made veterans support a priority in recent years. The city effectively ended veteran homelessness in 2019, and Mayor Gorton is the first Lexington mayor to appoint a dedicated Veterans Affairs Liaison in the Mayor's Office. The city also hosts the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame, which has held ceremonies in Lexington since 2018.