Countryside Drive in Turlock will continue to be lined with images of local active servicemen and women thanks to a new sponsorship. 

This month, Firehouse Cannabis Dispensary joined Fletcher Landscape Maintenance and Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green Insurance Agency as sponsors for the program, which was launched in 2017.

The City of Turlock Public Works department announced that applications for the latest round of the Active Military Banner Program are now being accepted. The program aims to show appreciation to active military members from Turlock, Denair, Hilmar, Crows Landings, Keyes, Delhi and Ballico. 

There are 35 8-foot tall banners available. They are installed on light poles along Countryside Drive between Fulkerth Road and Sun Valley Court, each featuring the service member’s name, photo and branch of service.

Applications for this round of active military banners will be accepted until Feb. 1. They are accepted and installed on a first-come, first-serve basis and pending a verification process. 

To qualify, honorees and/or applicants must meet the following requirements: 

·        - Honoree is an active duty military personnel that is currently serving in the United States Armed Forces;

·        - Honoree is a current Turlock resident or is an immediate family member of a Turlock resident (spouse, child, parent, grandchild, sibling) 

·        - Applicant must be a Turlock resident and an immediate family member of the honoree. Residency must be verifiable with a current utility bill, driver’s license or other form of identification listing a current City of Turlock address.

Banners installed in this round will be up on the light poles until November. Once the banner is retired, the applicant can take it home for themselves or their loved one.

“The City of Turlock would like to express our extreme gratitude for Firehouse Dispensary’s sponsorship of the Active Military Banner Program. The City of Turlock values your partnership in paying tribute to those who rightfully know that their hometown supports them, is proud of them, and thanks them for their daily service,” the department said in a statement. “If you know someone serving in the Armed Forces that you’d like the City to recognize, please apply…” 

To request an application, contact Marissa Mellow at MMellow@turlock.ca.us or by calling (209) 668-6009. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.