The Sanatoga Post

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.”

HAPPY TO HAVE THEM BACK – Joy-filled family members and friends welcomed the return (above) Sunday morning (Feb. 27, 2011) of 96 members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 228th Engineer Company to their Spring City PA Armory, after completing a year-long deployment in Iraq. The 228th was tasked with what officers said was “a difficult and dangerous mission” clearing travel routes in the country and keeping them safe. The homecoming, celebrated with handshakes (right), hugs, and a small on-site party, marked the successful end (below) to the fourth major deployment of personnel from across western Montgomery County and headquartered at the Spring City Armory to support Middle East war efforts since September 2001. The arriving heroes were escorted from Fort Dix NJ by A Hero’s Welcome and Warriors’ Watch Riders, two organizations whose mission is to ensure returning soldiers are properly greeted. Handmade signs (bottom) also expressed the welcomers’ sentiments.

Photos for The Post by Billy Worrell, Pottsgrove American Legion Post 244

A soldier inspects the Army's new Stryker armored combat vehicle.

SPRING CITY PA – As more than 4,000 members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard‘s elite 56th Stryker Brigade combat units begin returning from Iraq – many of them to homes and eagerly waiting families across Montgomery and Chester counties – Mike Murphy and a crew of volunteers are putting the final touches on a little surprise.

Murphy, who is a chief warrant officer at and helps maintain the Spring City PA armory on the old Pennhurst hospital grounds north of Route 724, has organized helpers to create a monument space that honors all area soldiers who have served in Iraq. Now, in the month before the bulk of the troops get back, he’s hoping for some public assistance as well.

Thanks to donations from local veterans’ groups, Murphy has been able buy materials to restore a walled area near the armory entrance into a small garden. The once drab and unused space is being landscaped and will contain a plaque paying homage to his colleagues. “We’ve had a hundred dollars given here, and a hundred dollars there, and we’re grateful” for those donations, Murphy said.

But the first 300 members of Stryker flew back into Fort Dix NJ last week, and the remainder will arrive probably by September’s end. The clock is ticking, the garden work isn’t yet finished, and Murphy can use some more financial help.

“Right now we’re about $500 short,” he said Friday (Aug. 28, 2009).

The Spring City Armory garden as it was being built in late July.

Murphy had a vision of creating the garden and plaque area months ago, as spring settled across southeastern Pennsylvania and Stryker was well into its second year of service overseas.

Its troops are highly specialized and, as a result, have been part of more than 800 operations with the Iraqi Security Forces, covering hundreds of square miles north of Baghdad including the hot-spot cities of Taji, Abu Ghraib and Tarmiyah, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Two brigade members, one each from Quakertown and Altoona, were killed. Forty more were injured in combat. At least 10 soldiers were awarded medals of valor, The Inquirer reported.

Their efforts, those of all who serve, and those of families who patiently waited and endured their loved ones’ absence, demand commemoration, Murphy figured. So he began by quietly asking for small monetary donations from people and organizations he knew and who knew him. He approached tradespeople, too, and asked them to volunteer their services.

Flowers and mulch were donated by a landscaper. Another donor brought in a new flag and flagpole. A local electrician did all the wiring, and didn’t charge a penny. “People have really chipped in,” Murphy said.

Those interested in making donations can mail them to the Spring City Armory, c/o CW2 Michael P. Murphy, 111 Armory Dr., Spring City PA 19475. For more information, call Murphy at 610-587-6556.

With determination and a little luck, Murphy thinks the garden will be ready by the time all Stryker troops get back. At an appropriate time thereafter, the armory will conduct a dedication ceremony in the garden, and hold a luncheon for the returnees and their family members.

“We’ll make sure they know they’re appreciated,” Murphy said.

Stryker vehicle photo by SSgt Derrick C. Goode

Editor’s Note: Thanks to William C. “Billy” Worrell, adjutant at Pottsgrove’s Brig. Gen. Elmer S. Friedberg American Legion Post 244,  for bringing this story to The Post’s attention. Got news for us? E-mail The Post.

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