Local Marines Honored at Second Sunday Concert

The Hellertown Enhancement Project's Second Sunday concerts in Dimmick Park are always eagerly anticipated.

Held in the borough's bucolic , the three annual concerts feature live local bands, delicious homemade food served by local Lions members, and more blankets and lawn chairs than you can count.

More than that, they represent an opportunity for members of the Saucon Valley community to share the simple pleasures of summer in a small town.

In the spirit of that camaraderie and in celebration of Independence Day, the Second Sunday concert sponsored July 10 included something extra special--a ceremony in which six local Marines were honored for their service to the country.

Organized by HEP volunteer Margie George, the ceremony brought the Allentown-based Marines front and center, where they received certificates of recognition from State Rep. Robert Freeman and Hellertown Mayor Richard Fluck.

Both Freeman and Fluck were on hand to personally thank Gunnery Sgt. Tscharner Thomson, Corp. Norman Bowser, Corp. Michael D'Alessandro, Corp. Chris Foxhill, Corp. Stephen Strybuc and Corp. Raymond Sullivan for their service.

D'Alessandro is a Bethlehem native and Strybuc hails from Northampton.

All of the Marines have been deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Certificates of recognition were also presented to the men on behalf of U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent and Lower Saucon Township officials, and the men received a round of applause from the enthusiastic crowd that turned out to listen to the Bethlehem Municipal Band and The Royalaires play Big Band favorites under the tall trees.