For 9-11 Advocacy, Phillies Honor Newtown Couple As Hometown Heroes

PHILADELPHIA, PA — On September 11th, the Philadelphia Phillies honored Newtown couple Donald Mihalek, Council Rock’s new security director, and his wife Valerie Mihalek as "Hometown Heroes" for their work on 9/11 issues.

Don is a retired senior Secret Service Agent who was assigned to New York on September 11th, 2001. At the time, the Secret Service office was located at 7 World Trade Center. Upon witnessing the collapse of the first Tower from the Secret Service office at JFK airport, Don secured the help of boat units from other law enforcement agencies, established an evacuation point in New York City and relocation point in New Jersey and supervised the evacuation of 300 United States Secret Service personnel via boat to New Jersey.

For his actions, Don was awarded the Secret Service Distinguished Service Award. Don has also been instrumental in advocating for 9/11 health care for first responders and the introduction, passage and reauthorizations of the 9/11 James Zadroga Health Care Act.

Upon moving to Bucks County, Valerie Mihalek became involved with local 9/11 families and advocated with them to build Pennsylvania’s official state 9/11 memorial, the 9/11 Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield.

Valerie worked with former Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick to secure close to one million dollars for the garden. Valerie has also been the garden’s program director and has planned and orchestrated 9/11 ceremonies at the garden, including the regionally acclaimed Remembrance in Light Ceremony. In that role, Valerie also worked with local, state and federal elected officials to ensure that the garden was designated as the official state 9/11 memorial.