by Kristina Gabalski
Joshua Unterborn with Brian Winant during the presentation. During a ceremony held Saturday, December 22, Brockport Police Stetson Club President Brian Winant presented Hometown Hero banners to five local residents who have completed their service commitment in the U.S. military.
The ceremony was held at the Brockport Area Vet’s Club on West Avenue. Jacob Bettilyon, U.S. Marines; Joshua Unterborn, U.S Army; Sean Coyle, U.S. Army; Rachael Juby, U.S Army; and Kandee Curl, U.S. Air Force, were thanked by those in attendance for their selfless service to their country.
Winant said that the Hometown Hero Banner project, which began two years ago with 16 banners, has grown to include 60 banners which hang mainly along Route 19 through the Town of Sweden, the Village of Brockport and the Town of Clarkson.
“We must never forget,” Winant said, that it is because of the brave service of local men and women that we continue “to have the freedom that we have today. Thank you, and thank you to your families for the sacrifices they make.”
Two of the Hometown Heroes – Joshua Unterborn and Sean Coyle – were able to personally attend the ceremony and receive their banners.
Also in attendance were Brockport Village Trustees Bill Andrews, Kent Blair and Carol Hannan.
Sweden Town Supervisor Patricia Connors told the gathering she has a niece currently serving in the U.S. military in El Salvador and a nephew in the military who is being assigned to Jordan.
“I would like to thank all of our military who have served or are currently serving,” Connors said.
Sean Coyle receiving his banner from Brian Winant. Winant read a message from Brockport Mayor Connie Castaneda, who was unable to attend the ceremony. She thanked the Stetson Club for their support of the banners project and local members of the military.
“Thank you for your service to our country. Our community is proud of you,” she wrote.
The ceremony also included a moment of silence for U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nicholas J. Reid, a 2004 graduate of Brockport High School who died December 13 after suffering injuries supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Winant said losing a loved one, particularly at Christmastime, is difficult and losing a child “is something no parent should have to endure.”
He told Suburban News and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald that donations in support of the Hometown Heroes Banners (which are produced without cost to families) are welcome. Contact the Stetson Club at thestetsonclub@yahoo.com for details as well as information about how to honor a family member currently serving in the military with a banner.
