Local Soldier to be Welcomed Home

Before the supervisors discuss a land development hearing or discuss selling extra township equipment, they get to do something many truly enjoy – welcome home another serviceman from his duties overseas.

Army Specialist Ryan Berk was deployed to Afghanistan in August, 2010, and received a purple heart for wounds he endured during his service. Tonight, the supervisors will return his Army flag to him and replace it in the display with an American flag. 

In addition, Army Major Eric Swenson's parents, Janet and Ray Swenson, will attend the meeting to place their son's Army flag back in the display. He is serving in Afghanistan and previously served tours in Iraq in 2003 and 2005.

The flag display in the township's meeting room holds 70 flags representing Northampton's military men and women who are serving or have served abroad and either returned safely or died in the line of duty. The two flags that belong to men who died in action, Bobby Dembowski and Ken Elwell, are placed in the front with black ribbons attached. The program began in 2004 to recognize Northampton residents serving in harm's way in a combat area.

The supervisors will also hold a public hearing for the Leehurst Tract land development and subdivision proposal. Notes from the July meeting provide more detail on the matter.

Find the full agenda for the meeting here.