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Berks County Commissioners Induct Five Veterans into Military Hall of Fame
Summary
The Berks County Board of Commissioners voted Oct. 17 to induct five nominees into the Berks County Military Hall of Fame. Nominations recognized combat valor and long-term community service and the honorees will be honored at the county Veterans Appreciation Dinner Dance.
Berks County commissioners voted on Oct. 17 to induct five veterans into the Berks County Military Hall of Fame after a presentation by the county’s Veterans Affairs director.
Jay Ostrich, director of the Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs, introduced the slate and described the Hall of Fame, which the board created in 2009 to recognize service members who demonstrated combat valor or made extraordinary community contributions. "When speaking of our veterans, we often hear the phrase 'freedom is not free,'" Ostrich said, introducing the nominees and the board that reviewed their packages.
The five nominees presented for ratification were: - Maj. Daniel C. Fehr, U.S. Air Force — cited for distinguished achievement while participating in aerial flight and awarded the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross; the package recounted missions during combat operations in Iraq. - Specialist Glenn B. Flager, U.S. Army — cited for actions as a forward observer in Vietnam and listed decorations including a Bronze Star with "V" device and a Purple Heart. - Technical Sgt. Steven C. Mace, U.S. Army — cited for gallantry in Germany in February 1945 and listed multiple campaign medals and a Silver Star. - Sgt. David W. Wilson, U.S. Army — cited for maintaining radio communications under intense fire in 1945 and recognized with a Silver Star and other honors. - Michael J. Brady, U.S. Navy — presented for extraordinary community achievement, including decades of volunteer leadership and personal funding to restore more than 4,000 veterans’ tombstones in Berks County.
Major Gerald New, senior Army instructor for Wilson High School’s JROTC, described the Veterans Appreciation Dinner Dance and invited the public to attend. "We look forward to seeing everybody Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. at the Wilson High School gym," he said. Cadet Emily Albert noted tickets are $20 and available at Wilson High School’s Lower House office (cash or check only) and at Boscov’s at the mall (card accepted).
Commissioner Michael Rivera moved to induct the five nominees. After a brief expression of thanks from several commissioners, the motion was seconded, commissioners verbally indicated "aye," and the chair declared the motion carried. Ostrich asked that, if approved, the names be included in the county’s official history and noted the honorees will be recognized at the Veterans Appreciation Dinner Dance.
The Hall of Fame nominations were reviewed by a six-member veterans board that considered eight packages and recommended the five now approved. The ceremony and dinner-dance provide a public occasion for the county to present the honorees’ service records and to celebrate veterans’ contributions.
The board’s action on Oct. 17 ratified the five nominations; the county will include their names in official county history and honor them at the Nov. 9 Veterans Appreciation Dinner Dance.
