HOMETOWN HEROES
New banners renew pledge to remember fallen soldiers
NORRISTOWN >> The vibrant colors of the new banners surrounding Montgomery County Courthouse represented a renewed pledge to honor 17 Montgomery County residents who gave their lives in military service.
County commissioners, staff and family members of those who passed away gathered on the steps of the courthouse Tuesday for a ceremony before a Gold Star mother was presented with a banner in honor of her son that had been hanging since 2008.
“Our gathering here today shows our gratitude and honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice, allowing us our freedom. We are extremely grateful for our community’s way to say we remem-
ber and will never forget,” said Rhonda Worthington, president of the North Penn Chapter of the American Gold Star Mothers. “As we walk through the courthouse grounds, we reflect, look up proudly at our hometown banners, stand tall and proud with tears and cherish our children’s memories.”
The banners, each with a photo of the deceased, their branch and rank, hometown, age and information on where and when they died, decorate the light poles around the Main Street courthouse entrance.
“Today we honor 17 Montgomery County heroes who served our country. They were from all corners of the county and from all sectors of the military. These men served in the Army, Navy, the Marines,
the Coast Guard, one was a Navy SEAL. They were captains, corporals, privates and sergeants,” said Commissioner Joe Gale. “Honoring our veterans and their families is a core responsibility of being an American citizen.”
The 17 men honored Wednesday were:
From the Army: John Bubeck of Collegeville, age 25; Paul Karpowich of Bridgeport, age 30; Kurt Krout of Spinnerstown, age 43; John Kulick of Harleysville, age 35; Nathan Raudenbush of Douglassville, age 25; Anthony Sherman of Pottstown, age 43; Marc J. Small of Collegeville, age 29; Tristen Smith of Bryn Athyn, age 23; Jeffrey Toczylowski, age 30; and Travis Zimmerman of New Berlinville, age 19 and from the Army Reserve, Mark P. Phelan of Green Lane, age 44.
From the Marines: Joseph Basil Maglione III of Lansdale, age 22; Travis
M. Stottlemyer of Hatfield, age 20; John Todd III of Bridgeport, age 24; and Brandon J. VanParys of Schwenksville, age 20.
From the Coast Guard: Jake S. Moletzsky of Norristown, age 26.
Navy SOC SEAL: Eric F. Shellenberger of Pennsburg, age 36.
“These banners will help us commemorate the service of these Montgomery County sons who were taken from us too soon,” said commissioners’ Vice Chairwoman Val Arkoosh.
Commissioners’ Chairman Josh Shapiro read a poem titled “We Remember Them,” written by Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Riemer, which, he said, was “especially profound on a day such as today”:
“When we have achievements that are based on theirs, we remember them. As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us; as we remember them.”