The Sanatoga Post

SANATOGA PA – U.S. Army Reserve military policeman Spc. Zachary Ball returned Sunday (Feb. 5, 2012) from duty in Afghanistan to his home in Pottstown, saluted en route (left) by firefighters and police escorts from Sanatoga, Ringing Hill, Limerick and the borough. Few of them knew him personally, but many said they wanted to share their joy in having him come safely home to Pennsylvania, his family, and especially the 8-month-old twins whose birth he missed.

Ball was among the latest servicemen and women who have been greeted by a parade of well-wishers mobilized by A Hero’s Welcome, a non-profit group that works to ensure all members of the military return from service knowing their time spent on duty is appreciated by the public. It was founded by 1997 Pottsgrove High School graduate Sharon Hyland Keyser.

Ball “is a wonderful husband and  father … (who) is very humble about his service,” his wife Carlene said in a letter to the group. No wonder, then, that following a 10 a.m. celebratory breakfast at The Limerick Diner on Ridge Road, he was surprised by a Limerick Township police escort accompanied by the Warriors’ Watch motorcycle club.

• Watch a video (above) of the Sanatoga Fire Company preparations and salute Sunday to Spc. Ball, or see it at The Post’s YouTube channel.

Awaiting his arrival, five miles west, were members and families of the Sanatoga and Ringing Hill fire companies of adjacent Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township.

Sanatoga Vice President and Deputy Fire Chief Mark Schaeffer regularly monitors the A Hero’s Welcome website, and saw the news about Ball’s impending return. He contacted Keyser’s mother, Maria, who helped coordinate the logistics for a Sanatoga salute to the soldier.

Three pieces of apparatus from the Sanatoga company, two from the Ringing Hill Fire Company, and a Lower Pottsgrove police cruiser all blared their sirens and honked their horns as the motorcade bearing Ball and his family streamed past the intersection of East High Street and North Pleasant View Road. Dozens of firefighters and their family lined the sidewalks on both sides of East High, holding American flags and waving hello.

The salute took about a day to plan and an hour to prepare, and ended in less than 2 minutes. That didn’t matter to one mother who received a text message about the event from Schaeffer and considered it important to show up. “These kids sacrifice, work hard and get little credit,” she said of military troops. “This is how we show them what they fought for.”

In Ball’s case, one sacrifice was missing the birth of his twin daughters during what was his first deployment overseas. “He has been an amazing father from 7,000 miles away,” his wife noted.

Other coverage:

• See an additional photo from the event, here.

Sen. John Rafferty, center, gives his “Thumbs Up!” to a Reading Site Contractors pavers, joined by volunteers David Shafer of Royersford PA, left, and Jim Rivers of Mattiola Services

POTTSTOWN PA – It pays to know people, state Sen. John Rafferty recognizes, and sometimes tapping the right people pays off in unexpected and delightful ways.

Take, for example, the Pennsylvania Army National Guard armory in Spring City PA. Rafferty’s been there dozens of times, usually in the capacity of welcoming home troops returning from overseas deployments. During his visits there late last year, the senator said he was disappointed to find the driveway into Guard headquarters “was crumbling and full of potholes.” The Guard lacked the money to fix it; the state couldn’t afford it either.

So Rafferty called on people he knew – the corporate leaders of The H&K Group contractors, whose quarrying operations extend across Sanatoga and Pottstown – and asked them for help.

Voila! New driveway.

“When Sen. Rafferty reached out to us … we immediately jumped at the opportunity to not only give back to the community, but also to the brave men and women who serve our country,” H&K President and CEO Scott Haines said recently.

H&K donated all the materials and equipment needed to make the repairs. In addition, 15 employees of Mattiola Services LLC and Reading Site Contractors of Pottstown, two H&K divisions, rallied to the cause and volunteered their professional services. Within hours of meeting Rafferty and armory Chief Warrant Officer Michael Murphy at the site a few weeks ago, about 70 tons of new asphalt had been delivered, placed and rolled, “leaving the driveway in a condition worthy of a war hero,” Haines reported.

“The end result is a repaired driveway that will greatly benefit the Guard,” Rafferty agreed, at no cost to the Guard or taxpayers.

Haines praised those who gave of their time to make the job move quickly.

From Mattiola Services, Mike Arrivello provided saw cutting and Travis Zimmerman operated the milling machine. Reading Site Contractors employees Bryan Mclain, Wayne Archer, Chad Davis, Michael Hillegas, Jason Stauffer, and Jistino Villalva made up the paving crew. Terry Gennaria, Dave Leister and Jason Tokonitz hauled paving materials. Tony Alexander was the broom truck driver. Ray Cushman and Gary Halteman mobilized and demobilized the equipment, and Uriah Lessig mixed the asphalt at the H&K Group’s Sanatoga asphalt plant.

“I am so proud that a local company and its workers pitched in to get this project done,” Rafferty noted. “This is an example of neighbors helping neighbors, and a great way to honor our troops.”

Kathy Martin

SANATOGA PA – Certified elder law attorney Kathy Martin, of the Pottstown law firm of O’Donnell Weiss Mattei P.C., will be the featured speaker Thursday (Oct. 27, 2011) at 7:30 p.m. during the monthly meeting of Pottsgrove American Legion Post 244 in Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Pottstown PA.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

Martin is a specialist in elder law and veterans benefits, and will discuss and answer questions on both topics. Members and guests of the post are encouraged to attend, Adjutant Billy Worrell said.

Photo from O’Donnell Weiss Mattei P.C.

Sen. John Rafferty

SANATOGA PA – The annual “Salute to Veterans” who live within Pennsylvania’s 44th Senate District, which includes Lower Pottsgrove, Limerick and Pottstown, will again be conducted by Sen. John Rafferty on Oct. 29 (2011; Saturday) from 8-10 a.m. at Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Pottstown PA, the senator’s office has announced.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

The observance consists of a breakfast, keynote speaker and other patriotic entertainment, and is free to all veterans of any U.S. Armed Forces service in the district. Advance registration by Oct. 25 is required to due capacity limitations of the building.

For more information or to register, call Rafferty’s office, 3818 Germantown Pike, Ste. B, Collegeville PA, at 610-831-8830.

Photo from Sen. Rafferty’s Office

Photos by Glenn Isett and Billy Worrell

A GREAT SUMMER EVENING WITH OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN – Members of the 78th Army Band based in Fort Dix NJ attracted an estimated 350 people to their concert Wednesday night (July 13, 2011) at the band shell in Sanatoga Park, South Sanatoga Road, Pottstown PA. Dark clouds threatened only briefly mid-way through the performance, but quickly dispersed. That made it a perfect night for the rock, jazz, blues, choral, and concert music provided by several groups of the 78th (above), and its entire compliment in the finale. Visitors (below) leaving the outdoor show loudly declared it a success and, perhaps best of all, the band has tentatively discussed making a return engagement next year. The evening was opened by presentation of the colors, thanks to a honor guard provided by the Pottsgrove Post 244 of the American Legion (bottom).  The concert series is conducted by the Lower Pottsgrove Parks and Recreation Board, and is financially underwritten by Exelon Nuclear.

• See a gallery of 19 photos, taken by Glenn Isett and Billy Worrell and generously provided to The Post, below:

Marines clean weapons and talk during off-duty time while deployed to southern Morocco

By Air Force Staff Sgt. Jessica Switzer
For The Sanatoga Post

Pottsgrove High School 2005 graduate Shane Hansley

CAP DRAA, Morocco  – The sun barely peeked over the horizon when the stillness was shattered by the roar of artillery. At the sound, a 2005 graduate of Pottsgrove High School crawled out of his tent into the southern Moroccan morning and began another day.

Marine Reserve Lance Cpl. Shane A. Hansley, the son of Bret and Melissa Hansley of West Moyer Road, Pottstown PA, has been serving in Morocco to support “African Lion 2011,” the name for military exercises between the Kingdom of Morocco and the U.S.

Hansley’s job: “I pick up and deliver ammunition to the gun units,” he said.

African Lion involves more than 2,000 U.S. service members and approximately 900 members of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. The exercise serves as a way for both U.S. and Moroccan military members to hone their skills and learn to work together to a accomplish missions.

“Training in Morocco isn’t too bad. It’s been warm, but not too hot, and it’s rained every night,” said Hansley, an ammunition technician assigned to India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, based in Reading PA.

Despite several barriers, Hansley and his fellow service members worked with Moroccan forces on different types of military training including command post, live fire, peace-keeping operations, disaster response, aerial refueling and low-level flight training.

Members of the Marine Corps 4th Artillery Battalion prepare to fire a howitzer in Morocco

They not only trained in the Moroccan desert, they lived there as well. They experienced sandstorms, the rain showers of the wet season, and traditional desert heat. They even had an opportunity to spend some time off duty experiencing the culture and seeing the sights. “I have learned a little bit about Africa and how the Moroccan army is different from ours since I’ve been here,” said Hansley.

“So far it has been pretty good, except for the rain. I didn’t know it rained so much in the desert,” said Hansley, who has completed almost four years of military service.

As the artificial thunder of artillery fire dies away for a moment, the sun rises fully above the desert horizon and begins its journey toward the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Hansley and the other participants in African Lion 2011 go about their business, sharing experiences and knowledge with each other and their Moroccan counterparts.

SANATOGA PA – They’re athletes, moms, dads, typical workers, friendly neighbors. They’re all also soldiers, and each and every one is a talented musician too.

Practicing for upcoming appearances

Members of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 78th Army Band will play in concert Wednesday (July 13, 2011) beginning at 7 p.m. in Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township’s Sanatoga Park, South Sanatoga Road, Pottstown PA. They are men and women who defend the nation’s freedom while additionally touring parts of the country with toe-tapping tunes.

Their stories, and information about the band itself, are included in a video produced for the band last year. Better than film, though, greater Pottstown area residents can see them perform live and for free during the concert sponsored by Exelon Nuclear and presented by the township Parks and Recreation Board.

• Watch the video, above, or see it at the band’s YouTube account.

The band consists of soldiers from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and is posted from Fort Dix NJ. Its Lower Pottsgrove appearance is only part of its busy schedule this week. It also is slated to play in Baltimore MD, Ocean City MD, Gettysburg PA, Philadelphia PA, Cape May NJ, and Haddonfield NJ.

Those planning to attend Wednesday’s concert are urged to bring their own seating in the form of lawn chairs or ground blankets.

POTTSTOWN PA – Commemorative services, in which Sanatoga’s Brig. Gen. Elmer S. Friedberg American Legion Post 244 again played a significant role, capped Pottstown’s successful Memorial Day 2011 parade through the borough Monday (May 30), ending at the Memorial Park monuments on West King Street.

The solemn ceremonies were sponsored and conducted by the Pottstown Joint Veterans Council, an umbrella organization involving many veterans’ representatives.

Dozens of small American flags (above), each of them topped by a star bearing the name of an honored veteran, created a fluttering carpet across a portion of the park fields as visitors arrived. Entering the park, they also passed a display of military and other vehicles (below), and joined a crowd of other participants in paying tribute to the fallen.

Pottstown’s High School marching band provided musical accompaniment (above) as state Rep. Tom Quigley (below), who represents Lower Pottsgrove, Limerick and Pottstown in the House, was among those offering remarks during the ceremony.

Sanatoga American Legion post members had a busy week preceding their participation in Monday’s tribute, according to Adjutant Billy Worrell.

• On Saturday (May 21), they installed graveside flags in Pottstown’s Highland Memorial Park Cemetery;
• Last Sunday (May 22), they were among those helping to recognize a North Coventry resident and Army assault team leader in Iraq who received an award at the township’s Big Woods Festival;
• On Wednesday (May 25) they welcomed a U.S. Army soldier home to Royersford following a tour of duty in Afghanistan; and
• On Friday (May 27) they turned out in force to enjoy the annual veterans services conducted by students at St. Mary’s School in Schwenksville.

Photos for The Post by Aimee M. Herbert, Aimee Marie Photography

Charlie Dent

ALLENTOWN PA – High school juniors in the Pottsgrove, Spring-Ford Area and Pottstown school districts are among those invited to attend a U.S. Service Academy Information Day, hosted by U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township’s congressman, Rep. Charlie Dent, on Saturday (April 30, 2011) from 10 a.m. to noon at Parkland High School, 2700 N. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown PA.

The session is specifically geared toward students interested in learning more about attending one of the service academies following graduation. The event is free, and will include an explanation of the nomination and admission process, and opportunities for students to speak with representatives from the U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs CO), U.S. Coast Guard Academy (New London CT), U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis MD), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point NY), and U.S. Military Academy (West Point NY).

For more information, call Jason Lane in Dent’s district office, 610-861-9734.

POTTSTOWN PA – The official federal holiday is still eight weeks away, but veterans’ groups in the greater Pottstown PA area have been planning for months to make the 2011 edition of the borough’s Memorial Day parade one of the biggest ever assembled.

Veterans on the march during the 2010 parade

The Pottstown Joint Veterans Council, an umbrella organization involving many veterans’ representatives, recently invited all former members of the U.S. Armed Forces it could contact to join the parade, scheduled to begin May 30 (2011; Monday) at 10 a.m. from High and Adams streets, near the Goodwill Fire Company.

Participants will render “a great service to the memory of our fallen veterans and to our community,” parade Coordinator Terry Foulke wrote.

Any veteran of any American military branch of service can march in the parade, and no uniform is required. Participants also are not required to be members of, or join, any of the area’s organizations. “Just show up and join the ranks with other veterans at the head of the parade,” advised Billy Worrell, adjutant of Sanatoga’s Brig. Gen. Elmer S. Friedberg American Legion Post 244.

Although no registration is required, Foulke would like to hear from potential marchers by no later than April 30 (Saturday). That will allow him and his volunteers “to finalize our plans.” He recognizes some groups may bring not only marchers but vehicles, floats and trailers too; they are asked to contact the council with details.

“We are looking forward  … to put together the most successful Memorial Day Parade to date,” Foulke wrote.

Foulke hopes veterans start gathering near Goodwill at about 9 a.m. on Memorial Day, and find him or other parade representatives for their assignment. He noted, too, there will be no rain date for the parade; in case of inclement weather, instructions regarding it will be broadcast by radio station WPAZ-AM 1370 as early as 6 a.m., he said.

Memorial services in the borough’s Memorial Park, West King Street, will immediately follow the parade and last about an hour, Foulke added. All participants and visitors are invited to attend them as well; the services will be held indoors in case of rain.