Renovo unveils newest Hometown Hero banners at ceremony
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS JJ Morocko and his wife, Vicki, were surprised with the unveiling of JJ’s father, Frank “Rocky” Morocko’s banner. JJ was part of the USMC Color Guard for the event, unaware that his dad was to be recognized.
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS Ken Serfass, retired Gunnery Sgt. and Ulysses S Grant impersonator, gave two separate speeches at the ceremony on Sunday. First, Serfass spoke as President Grant. He followed it by saying that he doesn’t always break character, but was moved to with the emotion of the event honoring the best of western Clinton County, as well in remembrance of 9/11/2001.
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS A crowd of residents gathered on Sunday afternoon to honor a new slate of veterans with Renovo’s Hometown Hero Ceremony.
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS Mary George Rhone shows longtime Citizen’s Hose Company of South Renovo, Keith Tripp, his Hometown Hero banner. Next year will mark 60 years of volunteering for the fire company for Tripp.
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS Members of the USMC Color Guard are pictured during the ceremony Sunday afternoon.
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS JJ Morocko and his wife, Vicki, were surprised with the unveiling of JJ’s father, Frank “Rocky” Morocko’s banner. JJ was part of the USMC Color Guard for the event, unaware that his dad was to be recognized.
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS Ken Serfass, retired Gunnery Sgt. and Ulysses S Grant impersonator, gave two separate speeches at the ceremony on Sunday. First, Serfass spoke as President Grant. He followed it by saying that he doesn’t always break character, but was moved to with the emotion of the event honoring the best of western Clinton County, as well in remembrance of 9/11/2001.
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS A crowd of residents gathered on Sunday afternoon to honor a new slate of veterans with Renovo’s Hometown Hero Ceremony.
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS Mary George Rhone shows longtime Citizen’s Hose Company of South Renovo, Keith Tripp, his Hometown Hero banner. Next year will mark 60 years of volunteering for the fire company for Tripp.
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS Members of the USMC Color Guard are pictured during the ceremony Sunday afternoon.
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RENOVO -- The newest round of Hometown Hero Banners were revealed this week, as Renovo and western Clinton County held a Patriotic and solemn celebration at the 16th Street Park on Sunday afternoon.
Speakers often made reference to the 25th Anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, as well as some of the area's fallen soldiers, marking poignant moments throughout the hour and 15 minute program.
Still, overall the day's theme returned to pride in the area's rich history of veterans answering the call of duty, as well as its first responders who each had decades, and even lifetimes, of volunteerism to help save lives and keep their communities safe.
Several speakers talked about how, even in these trying times where disagreements come so easily, things like honor and respect towards veterans ultimately unite us and our love of country.
Speakers at the event included Dave Bower, Mary George Rhone, Mattisyn Mason, Dutch Rinker, Martha Sykes, Clinton County Commissioner Angela Harding and Ken Serfass, retired Gunnery Sgt. and Ulysses S Grant impersonator.
Many banners were unveiled and shown to family members that were able to attend the ceremony. All of the banners will soon be proudly flown along the streets in Renovo and South Renovo.
Additionally, Bitumen will also have five banners of veterans that grew up on that mountain prominently displayed, a first for the area.
New banners to include: Charles T. Barnum, Jr., Tristan Bissman, Thomas William Bissman, Thomas Eugene Bissman, Scott Bissman, Tink Cummings, Jr., Dale Florey, Adelle Confair, Charles Knauff, James Knauff, Philip Knauff, Kurt Knauff, Robert Lininger, Robert Larson, Mattisyn Mason, Jeff McGowan, Frank Morocko, Reed Morton, Harry Rankin, Paul Rooney, Ed Schnars, Thomas Schnars, Carl Smith, James Tolomay, Keith Tripp, Thomas Whitman, John Whitman, William Witchey, Miles Stone, Austin Davis, Donald Miller, Chris Johnson, John Packer, John Connolly, Sr., John Connolly, Jr., Grant Gregory, Eugene Gregory, Andrew Hritzko, John Pitonyak and Andrew Pitonyak.