Foundation to honor heroes at reception
PHOENIXVILLE >> The Valley Forge Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation will host its annual local hero reception, recognizing two area heroes for their service, and present “An Evening with the Medal of Honor” during a public reception this weekend.
The event begins Saturday, March 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the Galleria Room of the Martha Washington Building, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, 1601 Valley Forge Road, Phoenixville, a press release states.
The reception will be highlighted by “An Evening with the Medal of Honor.” This multi-media program fosters the distinguished legacy of the Medal of Honor through the stories of two very unique recipients, World War II signalman Douglas A. Munro, United States Coast Guard and Vietnam War hero, Richard Etchberger, the Air Force’s most recent Medal of Honor recipient. Gary Williams and Cory Etchberger, academic directors for the Medal of Honor Legacy Program at Freedoms Foundation will present this dynamic event, the release states.
Following “An Evening with the Medal of Honor”, the 2017 Local Hero Awards will be presented to two 2017 recipients: Chief Mark E. Talbot Sr. and Richard Williams III, a student at Motivation (Magnet) High School.
Talbot has spearheaded the effort to transform the Norristown Police Department into a more focused and community oriented agency which has resulted in a substantial reduction of both Part 1 offenses and violent crime. He has led the way in building trust between the local community and the police, creating an innovative and progressive policing method worthy of emulation, according to the release.
Williams, a student at Motivation (Magnet) High School, put his personal safety on the line when he defended his personal finance teacher in the midst of a fight on school grounds, resulting in five breaks to his jawbone and other injuries. The teacher was attempting to diffuse tensions between two neighboring schools, but the situation quickly escalated and focused on the teacher. Ricky and classmates selflessly and courageously stepped in and protected the teacher, the release states.