Delco To Honor Freedom Medal Recipients at Nov. 17 Dinner

The Delaware County Council is partnering with the Veterans Memorial Association to host the third annual Freedom Medal Awards dinner on Nov. 17 at Springfield County Club.

The 2016 Freedom Medal Award winners are:

• U.S. Army Air Corps veteran Samuel J. Coco who served in World War II;
• U.S. Marine Corps veteran David Fortune who served in Vietnam;
• U.S. Army veteran Samuel Malandra who served in Korea;
• U.S. Air Force veteran June Howard Micozzie who served in the Korean War era;
• U.S. Air Force veteran Richard “Dick” Phillips, who served in Korea;
• and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Bob Spano, who served in Vietnam.

The Veterans Memorial Association hosts the annual Freedom Medal dinner to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the armed services, in addition to its educational programs that ensure future generations know about this nation’s military history and sacrifice.

Currently, 35,000 veterans of all military branches are living in Delaware County and continuing to serve their communities through their work, their churches, their schools and their families.

Community awards will also be presented at the dinner to Kathleen Breslin and Jeffrey LaMonica, educators from Delaware County Community College, the Wilbur and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation, Association founding member Linda Houldin and retiring state Rep. Bill Adolph.

Shown in the photo above from left are Linda Houldin, DCVMA founding member; Guy Fizzano, president; Council Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr.; Air Force veteran June Micozzie; World War II Army Air Corps veteran Samuel Coco; Vietnam Marine Corps veteran David Fortune; and Kathleen Breslin from Delaware County Community College. Back row are Council members Mike Culp, council Vice Chair Colleen Morrone, John McBlain and Dave White.

Image via Delaware County