Hometown Hero banners celebrated in Lock Haven

RecordStaffSeptember 16, 2023Last Updated: September 16, 2023

1 minute read

LOCK HAVEN, PA – It was a picture-perfect Saturday morning for a picture-perfect Hometown Heroes banner unveiling at Lock Haven’s Triangle Park.

World War II veteran Leo Stahl received special recognition on his 100th birthday.

Presented by Downtown Lock Haven, Inc., the ceremony recognized veterans, first responders and health care workers. Guest speaker Todd Warner, Director of Veterans Affairs for Clinton County, emphasized the multi-generational aspect of those being recognized. He said history sometimes forgets previous generations for their sacrifices for their country and said the Hometown Heroes banners offer a multi-generational history for all to be remembered.

No one typified the generational aspect of the Saturday event than Leo Stahl of Lock Haven, a World War II veteran who observed his 100th birthday on Friday. He was feted with a rendition of Happy Birthday from the overflow crowd in attendance. Stahl service time included action in Germany in World War II. The remarkable man continues to play golf, received a state House citation from state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz and proudly mingled with family members present, representing five generations of the Stahl family.

Cub Scouts distributed American flags and copies of the program prior to the event.

Remarks came from Rep. Borowicz, Clinton County Commissioners Jeff Snyder and Angela Harding and Lock Haven Mayor Joel Long. All offered thanks to those being recognized and urged those present to never forget the sacrifices they made.

The Hometown Heroes committee read off the names of all those who appear on the newly erected banners. Over 2,000 banners have been placed in the downtown since the program’s inception in 2007. Banner committee chairman Cara Montarsi-Jackson who served as master of ceremonies noted the Lock Haven program is one of the oldest and longest running such programs in the state.

In her closing remarks, county commissioner Harding, who is also President of Downtown Lock Haven, Inc., made

John MacMillen ended the impressive program with the playing of bagpipes.

a point to thank Downtown manager Kira Rosamilia for her work with the Downtown group and its Hometown Heroes program. Rosamilia will leave her post shortly to become the Clinton County Tourism Director.

The program ended with the retiring of the Colors by the Korean War Veterans Honor Guard, Taps from Monica Anderson and a bag pipe rendering from John MacMillen, USAF Vietnam veteran.