The families of Kenneth Elwell and Robert H. Dembowski were presented with Medals of Valor at the Annual Fairless Hills Elks Lodge #2023 Flag Day ceremonies on Sunday, June 10th.
Kenneth Elwell, who had 13 years of service and was killed in Afghanistan on July 17th, 2011, leaves behind a wife and two children. Robert Dembowski, who had one year of service, was killed in Iraq on May 24th, 2007.
Both men were graduates of Council Rock North High School. Congressman Michael G. Fitzpatrick presented each family with flags which were flown over the Capitol.
Fairless Hills Elks Lodge also presented its annual scholarships and recognized its Americanism Essay and Drug Awareness Essay and Poster Contest winners. Cassandra Gainey from Morrisville High School was awarded the $1,000 James H. Sharp memorial scholarship.
Cassandra will attend East Stroudsburg University in the fall. Kathryn Woolf, also from Morrisville High School, received the Irvin F. Dost $1,000 scholarship. She will attend Drexel University. Both scholarship winners were presented with plaques and certificates from Congressman Fitzpatrick.
First place Americanism Essay contest winners were Rachel Smith from Village Park Elementary School and Alyson Farkas from Charles Boehm Middle School.
First place Drug Awareness Essay winners were Alexis Runner, Ivlynne Zadik, and Alexis Mitchem. Claudia Lackey-Northam was the first place Poster Contest winner. All Drug Awareness winners were from Holy Trinity.
The first, second, and third place winners in each category received gift certificates, medallions and a special certificate from Congressman Fitzpatrick.
PHOTO CAP: Past District Deputy Theodore Wolthorn, Exalted Ruler Fairless Hills Lodge Les Wenzel, and Earl Keene, member Fairless Hills Elks Lodge #2023 and World War II Veteran.
