“A Sacred Place Of Honor” Bucks County Gold Star Families, Commissioners Dedicate Hometown Heroes Flags in Courthouse Courtyard
As the somber notes of “Taps” echoed through the Bucks County courthouse courtyard this morning, 16 uniformed “Hometown Heroes” looked out upon a crowd of several hundred family, friends and fellow Bucks County residents who gathered to pay tribute to their enduring legacy of love, sacrifice and patriotism in the ongoing War on Terror. The flags, noting each fallen hero’s name, branch of service and rank, hometown, and date and place of death in action, hung proudly from light posts around the Court St. portion of the courtyard.
The event, organized by the Bucks County Gold Star Families – including Ruth Stonesifer and Col. Thomas Manion, USMC, and wife, Janet Manion – was held with the support and backing of Bucks County Commissioners Charles H. Martin, chairman, James F. Cawley, Esq., and Sandra A. Miller, Chief Operating Officer David M. Sanko, and President Judge David Heckler.
“This is truly a sacred place of honor,” Chairman Martin said during brief introductory remarks. “It is our fervent hope that the flags we dedicate today create an enduring means of honoring these truly special young men and women.”
Col. Manion delivered the keynote address, which he offered in poignant tribute to his son, 1st Lt. Travis L. Manion, USMC, killed in the line of duty on April 29, 2007, at the age of 26, in Al Anbar, Iraq. “These brave men and women believed in something bigger than themselves,” Col. Manion said. “They believed they could make a difference in this world, and they were certain that they had.” Col. Manion also referred to the “incredible, selfless sacrifice” made by his son and the other 15 Hometown Heroes.
“The word love is as complex in its meaning as it is elusive in its definition,” Commissioner Cawley said during his remarks. “There are more kinds of love than perhaps we can even fathom, but certainly, no type of love is more selfless than love of country – because it encapsulates so many different types of love: love of family, love of friends, love of neighbors, love of community, and love of idea. These 16 heroes gave the ultimate sacrifice for people they never even met.”
Commissioner Miller expressed deep feelings of gratitude as well, telling the assemblage: “I am honored to recognize the bravery and sacrifice represented by each of these 16 flags – and their individual excellence. It is truly fitting that they hang in a state of perpetual memory, ringing this courtyard of heroes. Although they are no longer with us, their service on our behalf will never, never be forgotten.”
Following Col. Manion’s remarks, Capt. Eric Cahill, USMC, led a procession around the courtyard. Stopping at each flag with drum accompaniment from three members of the Central Bucks High School East Marching Band, Cahill announced all 16 fallen heroes. The procession took on even more personal meaning when Cahill reached Manion’s flag. The two young men shared a Plebe (freshman year) English Literature class during their time together at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. Cahill fondly recalled that they struck up an instant friendship when they realized they both hailed from suburban Philadelphia (Manion graduated from LaSalle College High; Cahill from archrival St. Joseph’s Prep).
The Hometown Heroes ceremony concluded with the playing of “Taps,” in the area of the courtyard adjacent to the Bucks County World War II Memorial. The flags will be on permanent display for visitors to the Bucks County Courthouse, located at 55 E. Court St., Doylestown. Following is a list of Bucks County’s Hometown Heroes:
HOMETOWN HEROES
Kristofor Stonesifer, Airborne Army Ranger, Doylestown
Patrick R. Nixon, Cpl. USMC, Doylestown
William J. Maher III, US Army Spc., Yardley
Brian R. Faunce, US Army Captain, Bensalem
Tamarra J. Ramos, US Army Spc., Quakertown
Maurice J. Johnson, US Army Spc., Levittown
Edward Brabazon, US Army Spc., Levittown
Barton R. Humlhanz, Cpl. USMC, Hellertown
Robert T. Minninger, Lance Cpl. USMC, Sellersville
Kurt E. Krout, US Army Spc., Spinnerstown
Nathaniel E. DeTample, US Army Pfc., Morrisville
Jae S. Moon, US Army Staff Sgt., Levittown
Travis L. Manion, 1st Lt. USMC, Doylestown
Colby J. Umbrell, 1LT US Army Ranger, Doylestown
Allen James Dunckley, US Army Sgt., Yardley
Robert H. Dembowski, Jr., US Army 82nd Airborne, Ivyland
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