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Hampton Heroes inducts 12 veterans to its ranks
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Submitted
Hampton Heroes guest speaker Cpl. Brandon Rumbaugh of the U.S. Marines captivated the crowd as he spoke. At the age of 24, Rumbaugh retired medically from military service in September 2012 after serving five years on active duty with the 1st Battalion 8th Marines as an 81mm mortar gunner. He served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. During an attempt to rescue a fellow Marine who had stepped on an IED during a security patrol around their temporary makeshift outpost, Rumbaugh stepped on a secondary IED, causing him to lose both of his legs. He underwent 16 months of intensive therapy at Walter Reed. Rumbaugh is the recipient of several medals for his service: the Purple Heart, the U.S. Navy Unit Commendation and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Combat V), U.S. Navy Unit Commendation, NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan, the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and the Rifle and Pistol Expert Medals.
The Hampton Township School District recognized and honored veterans at the 18th annual Hampton Heroes event Nov. 13 in the Hampton Middle School auditorium.
The Hampton Heroes program has been an ongoing effort by the district to recognize and honor veterans. To date, more than 200 men and women who have served in the Armed Forces have been inducted into the program. This year, the district inducted 12 new members to its ranks.
The 2017 inductees are: the late Michael Buchanich, U.S. Army Ranger; Thomas Clark, U.S. Army; Fred Conners, U.S. Navy; John Ference, U.S. Army; Charles Fleet, U.S. Air Force; James Hill, U.S. Marine Corps; Dave Knechtel, U.S. Army; William Pease, U.S. Army; David Rowan, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard; Jonathan Tomko, U.S. Army National Guard; Roger Whitezell, U.S. Army; and Jerry Wittmer, U.S. Marines and U.S. Air Force Reserve.
A full breakfast was served to veterans and their guests prior to the event. Following breakfast, inductees were honored during a special ceremony, featuring guest speaker Cpl. Brandon Rumbaugh of the U.S. Marines.
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