Mercersburg Hometown Heroes

08/24/2026

A Long Way From an Old, Bent-Up Ladder ❤️🇺🇸

When we first started Mercersburg Hometown Heroes, we had little more than hopes, dreams, determination, and an old bent-up ladder. We never imagined just how far this program would come.

Today, we are proud to say that we have come a LONG way.

We now have our own lift, and we are currently working toward becoming a 501(c)(3) organization so that donations can be fully tax-deductible once that status is officially approved.

We have also received permission from the electric company to use their utility poles for our banners, with only a few specific poles excluded from our agreement. We have received official approval to operate within the Borough of Mercersburg, including temporary sidewalk closures when necessary to safely hang and remove banners.

Because of all of this, next year is going to look a little different.

🇺🇸 Our goal is to get as many Hometown Heroes banners as possible along Main Street, from the cemetery all the way to Rutgers. We want to focus on Main Street rather than spreading the program out onto side roads.

We also want to use this coming year to clean things up and improve the program. That means removing unused hardware, replacing hardware that is approaching the end of its useful life, and making sure everything we use is safe, reliable, and ready for another season.

We purchased our lift, and now our next major goal is a small 25 HP tractor or small truck capable of safely pulling it. Driving the lift all over town uses the batteries very quickly and makes our operation much less efficient. Having a vehicle or tractor dedicated to moving the lift would allow us to work more efficiently, save wear and tear on the equipment, and ultimately help us serve more veterans.

❤️ How Can You Help?

Right now, our funds are getting low. We have invested heavily back into this program through:

• Hardware replacements
• Banner replacements
• Purchasing equipment
• Repairing equipment
• Safety equipment
• Insurance and other operating expenses
• Other nonprofit-related costs

Every dollar that comes in goes toward helping us keep this program going and growing.

We are incredibly thankful for EVERY person, family, business, and organization that has helped us get this far. Whether you donated $5, $50, equipment, your time, or simply shared one of our posts — you have been part of this journey.

And we aren’t done yet.

Our long-term dream is to secure enough sponsorships and funding to begin holding community events where our local veterans can share their stories, giving younger generations and the entire community an opportunity to sit down, listen, and learn what life was really like for those who served during wartime.

We don’t just want to hang banners.

We want to build a community that remembers.

Thank you for believing in Mercersburg Hometown Heroes and for helping us honor the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country.

With appreciation,

Cody & Josey Morris
Owners & Operators
Mercersburg Hometown Heroes 🇺🇸

From an old bent-up ladder to a lift, and hopefully a truck or tractor next — we couldn’t have done it without you. ❤️🇺🇸

07/29/2026

First official banner with our new (to us) lift today. Me and Josey started Mercersburg Hometown Heroes after the Legion let the banner program go, back when I was still out landscaping with our landscaping company. We don’t get paid for this — it’s just our time, hard work, and a lot of dedication. I’ve been doing this for a little over a year now. Not long after we took this program over, I was diagnosed with POTS Syndrome. As my symptoms got worse and my body basically started fighting itself, I had to give up my landscaping business, but I still fight every day to keep this program going. That meant this past year of me 20 feet up on ladders hoping I don’t pass out while hanging these for our town and our veterans, then spending days wiped out after. This lift isn’t perfect and the batteries already give me attitude, but me and this machine have something in common — we both still show up even when our bodies don’t want to. It means I can keep doing this work for our hometown heroes without gambling my health every single time, and still make it back home to my wife and kids. Thank you to everyone who donated, shared a post, or believed in this little program when it was just started. You’re the reason this picture exists and the reason I’m able to keep pushing this thing forward.

Thank You,
Cody and Josey Morris
Owners and operators

07/23/2026

Today is a day we’ve been working toward for a long time… thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, Mercersburg Hometown Heroes has officially purchased our own lift! 🇺🇸

She may not be the prettiest thing to look at right now, but she’ll get the job done—and that’s what matters most. Over time, we hope to restore her and make her look like new, but for now we’re just grateful to finally have the equipment we need to continue honoring our local veterans.

This purchase wouldn’t have been possible without every donation, every share, every word of encouragement, and every person who believed in our mission. Because of your support, we’ll be able to install and remove our Hometown Hero banners more efficiently while keeping costs down for the program for years to come.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who donated toward this goal. This lift isn’t just a piece of equipment—it’s another way our community comes together to ensure the service and sacrifice of our hometown heroes is never forgotten.

We can’t wait to put her to work this season!

🇺🇸 Thank you for helping us honor those who served.

Thank You,
Cody & Josey Morris
Owners and Operators

07/16/2026

🚨 We’re Halfway There—Can You Help Us Reach the Finish Line? 🚨

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we are officially halfway to our goal of purchasing a bucket truck/man lift! Every donation, share, and word of encouragement has brought us one step closer, and we truly couldn’t do this without you.

Owning our own lift will allow us to continue preserving veterans’ memorials and serving our community without the high costs and challenges of renting equipment.

We’re asking for your help to get us across the finish line. No donation is too small—every dollar moves us closer to making this dream a reality. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this post with your family and friends is just as valuable and greatly appreciated.

Together, we can make a lasting investment that will benefit our community and help us continue honoring those who have served for years to come.

Thank you for believing in our mission and standing beside us every step of the way. ❤️🇺🇸

If you wish not to use the site you can send a check or money order.

Please make out to

Mercersburg Hometown Heroes
218 S Park Ave Mercersburg, Pa 17236

Mercersburg Hometown Heroes is a local nonprofit dedicated to honoring the men and women who stepped up to serve our country and our community. We line the…

07/11/2026

Good afternoon, everyone!

We’re excited to share that we’ve partnered with Zeffy to help raise funds toward the purchase of a man lift or a small bucket truck/van for our organization.
Every donation, no matter the amount, makes a meaningful difference and is greatly appreciated. Your continued support has allowed us to grow, learn, and better serve our community, and we’re incredibly grateful for each of you.
Our goal is to keep our program costs as low as possible, and lift rentals have become our largest ongoing expense. Despite reaching out to several rental companies, we have been unable to secure a partnership or discounted rental options. Purchasing our own equipment would allow us to reduce long-term costs and continue providing our services more efficiently.
Thank you for your generosity, encouragement, and for believing in our mission. We truly couldn’t do this without the support of our community.

Mercersburg Hometown Heroes is a local nonprofit dedicated to honoring the men and women who stepped up to serve our country and our community. We line the…

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July 🇺🇸

From our family to yours, we want to say thank you to every hometown hero who has ever stepped up for this community and this country. To our veterans and those still serving, to our first responders, dispatchers, and law enforcement, and to the families who hold everything together behind the scenes — today doesn’t happen without you. As the founders of Mercersburg Hometown Heroes, we get a front row seat to the names, faces, and stories behind those banners downtown. Every star, every stripe, every firework tonight is a reminder that freedom isn’t free — it’s paid for in time away from home, missed holidays, sleepless nights, and in some cases, the ultimate sacrifice. On this Independence Day, we’re especially thinking of the Gold Star families and those with an empty seat at the table. Your loved ones are not forgotten in this town. If you’re celebrating someone special today, we’d be honored if you shared their name or a photo in the comments so we can all remember who this day is really about.

From Cody & Josey
Mercersburg Hometown Heroes
“For Those Who Took The Call”

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember the men and women who laid down their lives in service to our country. Memorial Day isn’t about sales or cookouts first – it’s about the empty seats at the table and the names etched in stone. If you have a loved one you’re remembering this Memorial Day, you’re welcome to share their name in the comments so our community can remember them with you. From all of us at Mercersburg Hometown Heroes, we honor their sacrifice and the families who carry their memory forward. 🇺🇸

05/04/2026

Today, all but one banner was successfully hung. The final banner requires attachment of banner rings prior to being secured to a pole. I expect to complete this task tomorrow. The banners are located on Main St, from the cemetery to the traffic light at the garage, and also on N & S Park Ave, Organ St, and Loudon Rd. Thank you to Jason Backensto for lending a hand today.

05/01/2026

The hometown hero banner installation is currently in progress, with nearly all banners hung. Completion of the remaining few is expected in the upcoming week. We appreciate the town's love and support, and it is our privilege to show our local veterans the respect and gratitude they deserve.

04/14/2026

We're so thankful to FastInk in Mercersburg for their fantastic assistance in getting our new shirts ready, allowing us to start hanging all the hometown hero banners with pride.