A crowd of 600 — including several Delaware County notables — packed tonight’s (Nov. 12) 2nd Annual Freedom Medal Dinner at the Springfield Country Club.
Congressman Pat Meehan was there as was State Rep. Bill Adolph, State Sen. Tom McGarrigle, District Attorney Jack Whelan and most of County Council.
The event was sponsored by Delaware County Council and the Delaware County Veterans Memorial with proceeds benefiting the Memorial, 4599 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square.
Those honored were Charles “Bud” Burns, Russell L. “Rusty” Carter, John J. V. Cook, Rev. Dr Wylie W. Johnson, William R. Hilton, Margaret Lozinak Lawrence, Dr. Merle Horowitz, Anna H. Wright, and Mike Innocenzo.
Carter of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division was injured when his vehicle snapped a tie-rod while returning from a night mission in Afghanistan. It rolled off a bridge falling 50-foot into a ravine. He broke his neck and he was told he’d be paralyzed from the neck down and have to live strapped to a machine to let him breathe. He refused to allow them to give him a tracheotomy to attach him to the machine and went into therapy. He can now move his arms which he demonstrated in a video shown to those attending the dinner.
He said he is glad to be alive and in Delaware County. He says he lives his life for his friends who never made it back.
He said he plans to attend Temple University and pursue a career in journalism or broadcasting. He said he would like to broadcast sports.
He expressed extreme gratitude to Springfield Police Chief Joe Daly — a Vietnam veteran — for the support he has given him since his return.
Burns is a Navy veteran of World War II; Cook served in the Marines in Korea and Hilton served in an all-black division Army division in Korea. Hilton was wounded three times and survived hand-to-hand combat with the enemy.
Mrs. Lawrence served as an Army nurse in Korea. She described how she was trained in infantry tactics, experienced guerrilla attacks and how all pulled together to save the wounded. She praised the Memorial and said it was good for veterans.
Rev. Johnson, who is pastor of the Springfield Baptist Church, is a retired Army chaplain leaving with the rank of colonel. He served in five armed conflicts. Since his retirement he has been working to fight suicide among returning veterans.
Dr. Horowitz, a long-time teacher who just retired as Marple Newtown School superintendent, received her medal for her dedication to education. Innocenzo accepted his on behalf of PECO for dedication to community. Mrs. Wright, who was instrumental in funding the Memorial, received the President’s Award. She asked that the late Stan Short and the late Steve Neri, who were also among the prime movers, be remembered.
Father James Kelly, the retired pastor of St. Pius X Church in Marple, and Rabbi-emeritus Max Hausen of Main Line Reform Temple in Wynnewood gave blessings. Rabbi Hausen is a World War II veteran.
The master of ceremonies was Sue Serio of Fox 29.
The National Anthem was performed by Christopher and Yvette Pecoraro — Christopher also performed Bring Him Home — and God Bless America was sung by Carolyn P. Hilton-Finney, who is William Hilton’s daughter.
The Posting of the Colors was by Valley Forge Military Academy Regimental Band; the Marine Corps Bridge Company B, 6th ESB 4th MLG; and the General Smedley D. Butler Detachment of the Marine Corps League.
Taps was played by Dan Fitzpatrick and Lloyd Spangler.
Claude de Botton, who provided the land for the Memorial and who came to this country as an immigrant, spoke about how much he loved America and was grateful for those who fought and sacrificed to keep her free.
Kudos to Linda Houldin, Barbara Zippi, Guy Fizzano, Chief Daly and Nicole de Botton Robinson for the work they did for the event.
2nd Annual Freedom Medal Dinner
Here is the video courtesy of Margie Royal of Delco News Network of Margaret Lawrence describing her experiences that aired at the 2nd Annual Freedom Medal Dinner
Here is the video of Rusty Carter.
Margaret Lawrence’s speech.
