Maricopa Launches Military Tribute Banner Pilot Program
Published on September 29, 2026
Every veteran has a name. Every name has a story. And every story represents a sacrifice worth remembering. Maricopa’s love for its veterans runs deep, and a new partnership between the City of Maricopa and American Legion Post 133 will bring those stories to life throughout our community through a new Maricopa Military Tribute Banner Program.
Beginning this fall, families, friends, businesses and community members will have the opportunity to purchase a personalized tribute banner honoring a veteran or active-duty service member for display along designated streets throughout Maricopa. The program is funded through banner purchases and sponsorships, with participants covering the cost of the banners rather than taxpayer dollars being used for their production.
“Maricopa has always been a community that takes great pride in honoring those who have served,” said Mayor Nancy Smith. “I love that these banners will allow us to see the faces and learn the names of the veterans who are part of our community. It’s a simple but powerful way to make sure their service and sacrifice are seen and remembered.”
The program will launch as a pilot, giving the City and American Legion an opportunity to gauge community interest and determine how the program may grow in the future.
The goal is to have the inaugural group of purchased tribute banners installed along the Veterans Day Parade route on Porter Road in time for Maricopa’s Veterans Day celebration this November, putting the faces and names of local veterans on proud display as the community gathers to honor their service.
Each personalized banner purchased through the program will feature the honoree’s photograph, name, branch of service and other service information. Each banner will be displayed four times over a two-year period — twice in recognition of Veterans Day and twice as part of Maricopa’s Fourth of July celebrations. Following its final display, the banner will be retired and presented to the purchaser as a keepsake, providing families and sponsors with a lasting piece of the community’s tribute to their veteran.
“I wanted to find a way for Maricopa to recognize our veterans that felt personal and allowed their stories to become part of the community,” said Councilmember Amber Liermann, who first requested the creation of the program. “These banners put a name and a face to service and sacrifice. Whether it’s a parent, grandparent, spouse, neighbor or friend, each banner gives a family an opportunity to proudly share their veteran’s story and gives all of us an opportunity to say thank you.”
Purchasing a banner will do more than honor an individual veteran. The program will also provide another way to give back to those who have served, with proceeds from banner sales supporting American Legion efforts and veteran programs in the Maricopa community.
“This program gives us an opportunity to honor our veterans in a very visible and personal way, while also raising funds that can be put right back into programs that support veterans here in our community,” said American Legion Post 133 Commander Jonell Sullivan. “Every banner tells the story of someone who served, and at the same time, helps us continue serving veterans and their families today.”
American Legion Post 133 will administer the program, including accepting banner purchases and applications and coordinating banner production, while the City of Maricopa’s Public Works team will assist with the installation and display of the banners. Banner production is funded through program participants and sponsors, not through City taxpayer dollars.
The City and American Legion Post 133 also extend their gratitude to Electrical District No. 3 (ED3) for supporting the program by allowing its utility poles to be used for the banner displays.
Banner purchases for the inaugural Veterans Day display are now open. Families, friends, businesses and community organizations interested in sponsoring a banner honoring a veteran or active-duty service member are encouraged to purchase their banner now to secure a spot in the first installation.