On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, the Ancient Order of Hibernians of the Notre Dame Division will host its Annual Salute to Our Veterans. The ceremony will begin at 12 noon in front of the AOH clubhouse, 342 Jefferson St. in Swedesburg, Upper Merion Township.
Father Andy McCormick, chaplain of the AOH Notre Dame division and pastor of Sacred Heart Church, will open the ceremony with a prayer. The Irish Thunder Pipes & Drums will provide patriotic music, along with vocalist Sarah Agnew.
Many VFW, American Legion and Marine Corp League veterans will also be a part in this event. Other guests will include Congressman Joe Sestak, State Sen. Connie Williams and State Rep. Daylin Leach, along with many other officials.
Guest speaker will be Christopher Young, who resides in Bridgeport. Christopher Young is a 27-year-old United States Army Ranger who has served in the 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kansas, and the 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, based out of Savannah, Ga. He served honorably in Operation Iraqi Freedom from November 2003 through February 2005. He has attended Army Infantry School, Airborne School, Combat Lifesaver Course, Ranger Indoctrination Program, Pre-Ranger course thru the 75th Ranger Regiment, Ranger School, Advanced Drivers’ School, and Stryker School.
In February 2007, Spc. Young was diagnosed with malignant thyroid cancer and was unable to deploy with his unit due to his condition. After a summer of surgeries and treatment, his cancer then spread to his lymph nodes. Today, Spc. Young’s doctors’ are quite confident that after a massive dose of radiation, his cancer should have been eradicated. You can find out more about Chris’ cancer and his efforts to raise money for children with cancer at http://www.rangerforacure.info
The AOH asks that everyone hang out their American flags in support of our veterans and our troops overseas and take part in this community event.
