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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown |
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Brown’s Hug-a-Vet event a success
PHILADELPHIA, June 4 – The third annual Hug-a-Vet event hosted by state Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown, D-Phila., Saturday was a huge success.
More than 300 people attended the event, including at least 30 veterans in uniform.
The public, family-oriented event was held at the George T. Cornish American legion Post 292, on Fairmount Avenue.
While all veterans were honored, Brown presented citations to five local veterans for their service:
· Marshall Houston served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1962 to 1966. He was a Mumford Marine. He served in Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and the Middle East. He is currently commander of American Defenders Post 968.
· Retired Staff Sgt. George Washington Howe enlisted as a Buffalo Soldier in 1943. He served in Africa under Gen. George S. Patton, and then in Naples, Italy, Panama, the Philippines and Tokyo.
· William (Bill) Mitchell was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served from 1952 to 1956. He was drafted into the 802nd Airborne Division and served in Japan and the Philippines. He served as post commander of Capt. Robert Tresville VFW Post 6700 from 1999 to 2002. He has served as post chaplain since then.
· Thomas Jefferson Nesbitt was enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1980. He served onboard the U.S.S. Constitution during Vietnam, and later served on the U.S.S. Midway and U.S.S. Saratoga. He has served as commander of Capt. William M. Slowe VFW Post 3090 since 2009.
· Ronnie Towne served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. He served Lincoln American Legion Post 89 as commander from 1999 to 2009.
Philadelphia Police Department's highway patrol was on hand, taking photos of children with their motorcycles. The Tactical Response team also demonstrated some of their special response equipment.
The city fire department also brought one of its trucks to the event for children to explore.
Local drill teams performed, as well.
“I am always proud to take this day to salute those who served us so courageously,” Brown said. “While this day is a day to salute all veterans, I hope it also reminds us all to thank them for their service every day, and to remember their sacrifices for our freedom.”
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