Command Sgt. Brian Kiess of the U.S. Army Reserve is presented with his Blue Star Banner.
The banner flew for weeks on West Jefferson honoring his deployment in the Dominican Republic.</p>

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Tom Henry presented a Blue Star Banner to Brian Kiess, the first service member to have a banner displayed in his honor as part of the new program.

The recognition event was held in the Mayor's office.

Kiess works in the City’s Division of Public Works and recently returned home from deployment with the U.S. Army Reserve.

The Blue Star Banner program recognizes City of Fort Wayne residents and City government employees who are actively deployed. When a service member returns home, the banner is taken down and presented to the individual. 

Family and friends of deployed military personnel are encouraged to complete an application at www.cityoffortwayne.org/bluestarbanner.

Once the applications are reviewed, banners will be made and displayed on light poles along West Jefferson Boulevard from the Time Corners area to Swinney Park. Banners will be displayed through November and then removed during the winter months. Banners will be displayed each April through November.