Next month when you pass through downtown, look upward.

And count your blessings.

That’s there will be 66 of them on double-sided banners.

They are the reasons you are free to move about on Manteca’s streets and travel virtually anywhere in the United States.

They are the reasons why you can worship as you chose — or not to do so.

They are the reasons you are free to chase your dreams as opposed to the government dictating your life to you.

They are the reasons you can speak out.

And they are the reasons you can be anywhere else — if you so choose — besides the corner of Yosemite Avenue and Main Street in downtown Manteca on next Saturday, April 29, at 1 p.m.

That’s when the commemoration marking the launching of the Avenue of Our Heroes take place.

Banners with the names of the 66 men who have fallen during times of war serving and protecting America will be on display this May and every May going forward as Manteca Mayor Gary Singh will share in the reading of a city proclamation.

It will be an appropriate ceremony. It will be solemn. And it will be your opportunity to say “thanks” simply by being there.

It is to honor the unselfish ultimate “gifts” we’ve been given not just be those who have served and fallen but specifically by those from the Manteca area who have done so.

You can declare certain rights to be inevitable.

The reality, though, is those rights have to be secured and protected against the ageless march of tyranny.

The Avenue of Our Heroes is an effort of Not Forgotten founded by Pastor Mike Dillman.

For 15 years, the Not Forgotten committee assisted by a small army of volunteers has staged a Memorial Weekend Commendation at Woodward Park. The multi-day event drew 20,000 plus a year to Manteca.

Military leadership has said it was the largest west of the Mississippi River, if not the nation.

The struggles and time to stage the event carried a heavy commitment that there was a concern couldn’t be met every year.

So, in order to make sure those from the Manteca area are never forgotten for the ultimate sacrifice they have made, the idea for the annual month-long display of banners dubbed “Avenue of Our Heroes” was born.

The 30-inch wide by 93-inch high banners will be attached to street light poles north, east, west and south of the heart of Manteca along Yosemite Avenue and Main Street.

There will be 40 banners altogether. Of those, 33 are devoted exclusively to those who died during wars.

Each side of a banner will carry a different name.

Organizers originally wanted to include photos on all the banners.

They soon discovered the task was next to impossible, especially due to difficulty tracking down relatives that might have photographs of the fallen that date back to World War I.

The decision was made to have a photo of the first to fall in each war on the banner that carries their name.

That means the faces of Hope McFall (World War I), Kenneth Grisham (World War II), Gordon Thomson (Korea), Brock Dennis Elliott (Vietnam), and  Charles O. Palmer II will grace the banners.

 Every one walked the streets where the banners will be on starting with McFall 107 years ago.

Grisham, Thomson, Elliot, and Palmer walked the same streets as well.

Palmer, who served in Iraq and was the last to die, made his final journey down flag-lined Yosemite Avenue on May 16, 2007  as more than 3,000 people lined the streets of Manteca to pay their respects as his procession passed.

 The Saturday, April 29, ceremonies will start at 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Manteca Bedquarters on the northwest corner of Yosemite and Main.

It will start with the presentation of colors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Jimmie Connors Post 6311.

The Brock Elliott School singers will perform the national anthem.

Pastor Dillman will offer the invocation.

Singh will read the city proclamation before the banners are unveiled.

In attendance will be a representative of Congressman Josh Harder, Minority Floor Leader Assemblyman Heath Flora, and San Joaquin County Supervisor Tom Patti.

The speaker will be  retired Major General Eldon Regua of the United States Army.

Ron Cruz will read the names of the 66 fallen heroes.

And as each name is read, former Mayor Steve DeBrum will toll the traditional bell.

Richie and Friends will provide music prior to the ceremonies. Free hot dogs will be served prior and after the ceremonies as well.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com