LOCK HAVEN — Once again Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. will showcase its pride in community and the veterans who call this area home during its ninth Hometown Hero Banner Ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 20, in Triangle Park.

Jeff Croak, veteran and assistant director of the Clinton County Veterans Affairs office, will serve as master of ceremonies for the event, which will kick off at 11 a.m.

“With heartfelt gratitude, we honor the brave individuals whose service and sacrifice inspire our community everyday — may their banners wave as proudly as we do when we tell their stories,” a release from DLH, which holds the program every two years, said.

The ceremony will feature a presentation of colors by the Jersey Shore VFW Honor Guard, the National Anthem performed by Amy Kowatch and an invocation by Pastor Frank Hartzel.

A variety of local elected officials from the state, county and city will offer welcoming remarks leading up to guest speaker, Master Sgt. Monica Anderson of the United States Army Reserves.

Anderson, a proud native of Littlestown, Pa., has served her country with honor and distinction for over two decades. She began her military journey in August 2000, completing Basic Training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Miss. Throughout her distinguished career, she has held multiple Military Occupational Specialties, including Motor Vehicle Operator (88M), Utilities Repairer (91C), Culinary Specialist (92G), and currently she serves as a Military Equal Opportunity Advisor (00G).

MSG Anderson has served in key assignments with the 629th Transportation Company, the 542nd Quartermaster Company and the 301st Regional Support Group. Her deployments include a combat tour in Kuwait and Iraq from 2003 to 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom and a stateside mobilization in 2021-2022 to Fort McCoy in Wisconsin in support of Operation Allies Welcome.

In addition to her operational roles, MSG Anderson has been a dedicated member of the Military Funeral Honors program since 2023, having performed 336 funeral missions to date.

Beyond the uniform, Monica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Lock Haven University (2006) and a Master’s degree from California University of Pennsylvania (2007). She has spent much of her civilian career serving student-athletes through roles with Geisinger and UPMC Sports Medicine, most notably as the athletic trainer for Williamsport High School for 12 years. She currently continues this work as a per diem athletic trainer, primarily at Sugar Valley.

In keeping with her commitment to honoring service and sacrifice, MSG Anderson will also be performing Taps at the conclusion of Saturday’s ceremony — a solemn tribute to those who have served and those we have lost.

Monica lives in Lock Haven with her wife, Michelle, and their children: Ethan, Reese, Grayson, Tyler and Zoe.

Following MSG Anderson’s speech, Hometown Heroes Committee members Kowatch and Croak will hold a special banner presentation and unveiling for a local veteran selected by the committee.

Pastor Frank Hartzel will follow with a benediction and DLH Board President Laura Jameson will offer closing remarks before the retiring of the colors and TAPS is played.

A closing performance by United State Air Force Veteran John MacMillen on bagpipes will conclude the ceremony.

Those who attend the ceremony are invited to enjoy refreshments.

In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held in the Commonwealth University-Lock Haven Recreation Center along Railroad Street.