2008 News

June 4 , 2008

“For Our Tomorrow, He Gave His Today”
Bucks County Gold Star Families, Commissioners Dedicate Banner to Newest Hometown Hero, Sgt. First Class Shawn Suzch

After a solemn drum procession through the Doylestown Courthouse Memorial Courtyard yesterday, a crowd of family, friends, and Bucks County residents gathered around the dedicatory banner of U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Shawn Suzch, a newly honored Hometown Hero. The lamp posts ringing the memorial courtyard currently pay tribute to 17 Hometown Heroes, whose service is honored by banners featuring each fallen hero’s name, branch of service and rank, hometown, and date and place of death in action.  The event was organized by the Bucks County Gold Star Families and supported by the Bucks County Commissioners, James F. Cawley, Esq., chairman, Charles H. Martin, and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW.

As Sgt. First Class Suzch’s wife, Angela, and his nine-month-old daughter, Alyssa, quietly admired the uniformed picture of Shawn adorning his banner (adjacent to N. Main St.), Chairman Cawley delivered a brief biography of Hilltown native and 1994 Pennridge High graduate Suzch. The speech highlighted several of his military accomplishments. Among these were his Army enlistments stationed in Germany, Kosovo, and Macedonia, his fervent dedication to fellow soldiers, and the Bronze Star he was awarded posthumously for bravery. Chairman Cawley complimented Sgt. First Class Suzch for his perpetual courage and dedication, adding, “I can’t help but feel a great deal of pride for the great sacrifices those like Shawn made for me, for my family, for people he never even met.” As the sun-drenched crowd listened with utmost attention and reverence, Cawley added that Shawn was a man who “never deviated from his belief of honor and service to one’s nation.”

Retired Col. Thomas Manion, USMC, followed by reading the names of all 17 Bucks County Hometown Heroes, a tribute now afforded to Suzch. Next, Janet Manion spoke on behalf of Bucks County Gold Star families, those families who have lost a loved one in the armed forces.  Manion began by reflecting on Shawn’s commitment to service to his home and country by the way he “worked diligently to defend our freedom in lands far away.” Mrs. Manion’s inspirational words lingered over the crowd, evoking a spirit of deep admiration as she reminded those in attendance, that “for your tomorrow, he gave his today.”

The ceremony concluded with the reading of Sgt. First Class Suzch’s banner by Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove Marines as the solemn sounds of “Taps” echoed through the Memorial Courtyard. All present looked on in tribute to the most recently honored Hometown Hero. Chairman Cawley closed the ceremony by extending a thank you to all Hometown Heroes as well as those in attendance for their unwavering support.  Following the touching ceremony, Shawn’s foster parent, Rick Pforter, remarked, “I am overwhelmed with pride that Shawn was a Bucks County resident and that he is being recognized by such a supportive community.”

The 17 Hometown Hero banners, the first 16 of which were dedicated on Oct. 19, 2007, are on permanent display for visitors to the Bucks County Courthouse, located at 55 E. Court St., Doylestown. Following is a list of Bucks County’s Hometown Heroes:

 

HOMETOWN HEROES Kristofor Stonesifer, Airborne Army Ranger, Doylestown Patrick R. Nixon, Cpl. USMC, Doylestown William J. Maher III, US Army Spc., Yardley Brian R. Faunce, US Army Captain, Bensalem Tamarra J. Ramos, US Army Spc., Quakertown Maurice J. Johnson, US Army Spc., Levittown Edward Brabazon, US Army Spc., Levittown Barton R. Humlhanz, Cpl. USMC, Hellertown Robert T. Minninger, Lance Cpl. USMC, Sellersville Kurt E. Krout, US Army Spc., Spinnerstown Nathaniel E. DeTample, US Army Pfc., Morrisville Jae S. Moon, US Army Staff Sgt., Levittown Travis L. Manion, 1st Lt. USMC, Doylestown Colby J. Umbrell, 1LT US Army Ranger, Doylestown Allen James Dunckley, US Army Sgt., Yardley Robert H. Dembowski, Jr., US Army 82nd Airborne, Ivyland Shawn M. Suzch, US Army Sgt. First Class, Hilltown