Downtown Wilmington honors veterans with tribute banners

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — In downtown Wilmington, some veterans are being honored with tribute banners. Dozens were unveiled at the Hannah Block Historic USO Community Arts Center, telling the stories of veterans. 

A total of 48 will be installed across the downtown area. Members of the New Hanover County Veterans’ Council sponsored the project.  

Joe Bigley initiated Wilmington’s Veteran Banner Program. He said he sponsored three banners honoring his father, grandfather, and father-in-law. 

“My wife’s father, who joined the army immediately after graduating from Georgetown Medical School and he treated wounded soldiers in France from WWII. So, all of those people really deserve to be honored,” Bigley said. 

Bigley said the program is working diligently to get the remaining banners displayed along Water St. in time for Memorial Day.