Long Beach community members can once again nominate local veterans to be honored through the city’s Veteran Banner Program.

The Health and Human Services Department’s Office of Veterans Support, in partnership with the Long Beach Veterans Commission, will oversee the selection of banners to be displayed throughout the city for one year, beginning this summer.

Last year, 65 veterans were honored with individual banners displayed at locations across Long Beach.

This year, up to 65 veteran nominees will be selected for the program, according to a press release. The precise locations throughout the city will be determined based on availability. The program was made possible by a one-time increase in funding, approved as part of Long Beach’s fiscal year 2026 budget, to support the expanded outreach and education efforts by the Long Beach Veterans Commission.

“The Veterans Banner Program offers a meaningful and visible way to honor and celebrate those who dutifully served our country,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “The program celebrates the contributions of our veterans and highlights Long Beach’s rich naval history.”

Nominations for the program will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, April 15.

People can nominate any veteran, living or dead, who served honorably and meets one of the following eligibility criteria:

Born or raised in Long Beach.
Currently works or previously worked in Long Beach.
Currently resides or previously resided in Long Beach.
Educated in Long Beach.
Formerly stationed or worked at the Long Beach Naval Station or Shipyard, Long Beach Naval Hospital, Long Beach Armory or Veterans Affairs Long Beach.

The application will ask to clearly identify which of the eligibility criteria the veteran nominee meets; provide information about the nominee’s military service; and describe any connections the veteran nominee may have to Long Beach, such as involvement with local civic, community-based or veterans’ organizations or other community involvement.

Applicants must also provide the veteran nominee’s biography, which will be posted on the city’s website, and provide a high-resolution photo upon the city’s request. Photos will be requested, or arrangements for obtaining photos will be made, only if the veteran nominee is selected for the banner program, according to the press release.

The Long Beach Veterans Commission will review all applications to ensure they meet eligibility requirements, and selected honorees will be notified by May. During the review process, all applications will be anonymized to reduce selection bias, officials said.

Community members can submit nominations using the Veterans Banner Program nomination form or visit longbeach.gov/vetsbanner for more information.