Banners of remembrance set up in Bolton for Veterans Day

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Banners of remembrance were set up in Bolton for Veterans Day, culminating a dream of one resident that soon spread to others in the town.

Howard David Stephenson, the brother of Karen Regan's uncle, had been missing in action for nearly 40 years, when those close to him got a sad update eight years ago.

"My uncle's brother, they identified remains of him in Laos," Regan said. "My uncle was being interviewed, and he said in his interview, 'My brother's been gone so long, I don't think anyone remembers I had a brother anymore.' It just really struck me, because I thought he can't be alone in that, and he should be remembered."

Regan's dream became a reality this Veterans Day as remembrance banners went up in Bolton, looking to ensure nobody forgets any hometown heroes.

"We will never, ever truly understand what they saw and what they experienced," Regan said. "And this is almost just a small way to show them how much we care."

The banners don't just honor veterans who were killed in service or who have otherwise passed, as some pictured on the first set of 25 are still alive.

Jack Innella is a prime example of one of those veterans.

"I was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean conflict," Innella, who enlisted at the age of 17, said. "We shouldn't let them forget. Don't let people forget what it was like."

For many, those times were like hell.

"If you don't feel it and go through it and see the sacrifice, it's hard to pass it on," Vietnam veteran Alan Harris said.

>>MORE: Town hall held for community members to listen to veterans' stories

Now, from May to November, it will be impossible to pass through Bolton without remembering the brave and bold who died too young.

Regan saw her uncle just after his brother's banner went up, and brought up the importance of the situation.

"You know, he's almost like a second father to me," Regan said. "I love him dearly, and to see him, yeah, important."