American Gold Star Mothers, Vet Families, MontCo Commissioners Raise New "Hometown Heroes" Banners

New "Hometown Heroes" banners grace the Montgomery County Courthouse Plaza thanks to American Gold Star Mothers, 17 Montgomery County veteran families, and the Montgomery County Commissioners replaced eight year old banners, who raised the new banners Tuesday.

The plaza now features 17 brand new Hometown Heroes banners thanks to the local chapters of American Gold Star Mothers and the Montgomery County Veterans Affairs Department, who decided to update the worn 2008 banners out of respect and recognition for the lives lost by these “Hometown Heroes.”

The Hometown Heroes banners honor Montgomery County veterans John Bubeck, Paul Karpowich, Kurt Krout, John Kulick, Joseph Maglione III, Jake Moletzsky, Mark Phelan, Nathan Raudenbush, Eric Shellenberger, Anthony Sherman, Marc Small, Tristen Smith, Travis Stottlemyer, Jeff Toczylowski, John Todd III, Brandon VanParys, and Travis Zimmerman. The 17 men served in the Army, the Navy, the Marines, and the Coast Guard and their banners will remain on display on the Montgomery County Courthouse Plaza in honor of their sacrifice.

“Today we honor and remember 17 men who gave their lives in service to our country. These men – true heroes – left behind families that do not let a day go by without thinking about their sons, their husbands, their dads. We have replaced the banners of these Montgomery County heroes with new vibrant symbols of their service,” Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Chair Josh Shapiro said in a press release. “These banners represent the sacrifice of these men and the sacrifice of their families.”

In the press release, Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Val Arkoosh thanked the local American Gold Star Mothers chapter for their dedication to honoring veterans. American Gold Star Mothers is a veteran service organization comprised of mother who have lost children who were serving in the military.

Commissioner Joe Gale said in the release that honoring veterans' sacrifices and service is "a core responsibility of being an American citizen."

Veterans in need of assistance may call the Montgomery County Veterans Affairs Department at 610-278-3285.

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