Hometown Heroes Banner Program Celebrates Military, First Responders
by Christopher Miller
LOCK HAVEN – Saturday morning saw the latest installment of the Hometown Heroes Banner program.
For the past 11 years, Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. has been at the forefront of bringing to life the heroes that live among us. Military veterans, police and fire personnel and first responders were honored with the unveiling of new banners, and the re-hanging of some previously retired, at the request of those families.
The program saw a few hundred people gather at the Corman Amphitheater in celebration of heroes here at home.
Also in attendance were state and local dignitaries, a replica Civil War cannon firing squad and a marvelous quintet from Lycoming County.
Keynote speaker was retired U.S. Navy Seal Masa James, now a resident of Bellefonte. James, surrounded by his wife and daughter, briefly spoke of his time in the military, where he was chosen as member of a class of 18 of 240 prospective soldiers to join the elite Seals.
After his time in the Navy and as a defense contractor, at the urging of his wife, James left being a defense contractor where he worked on sea vessels in the piracy corridor to join the civilian workforce.
He is currently employed in Mill Hall, but how did this native of California end up all the way out here? At the urging of a friend, he spent time on Pine Creek with his wife where they decided north central PA is the most “homey” place to begin and raise a family.
There were 92 new banners unveiled and a few dozen re-hangs for a total of over 130 banners lining the Susquehanna River and downtown streets.
these new banners, the following were ceremoniously unveiled at the amphitheater: John F. Curcio of Renovo, Lee Phillips of Lock Haven, Glenn Barnhart of Beech Creek, Arthur W. Nonemaker of Lock Haven, Ronald H. Cryder of Mill Hall, Michael G. Jessup of Lamar and Barry D. Hill of Blanchard.
banners will be on display until 2021 when the next round of banners will be available for purchase or sponsorship.
