Elizabethtown
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townlively.com
NOVEMBER 1, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
Honoring their service BY CATHY MOLITORIS
VOL LXIV • NO 38
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Remembering the fallen with a field of flags BY CATHY MOLITORIS
believe it is our civic duty to give back not only to the community but to our country,” said Greg Hitz, who initiated an effort to install banners honoring members of the military in Elizabethtown. Hitz, who served in the Air Force from 1965 to 1969, began advocating for the banners during his first term as president of the Elizabethtown Lions Club in 2018. Then the pandemic hit, and the plan paused, but now it’s moving forward. “The project went to the front burner and, working with the Elizabethtown Borough, Mount Joy Township, members of the Rotary Club and members of the community, it became a reality,” he said.
SINCE
Gazing out over a field of flags, Tom Campbell always gets emotional. “It’s breathtaking to me,” he said of the display he helps to install yearly at Masonic Village in honor of Veterans Day. “It’s an honor to be part of the program and give something back.” The display - called the Massing of the Colors - features more than 7,000 flags. Some are American flags and others are Pennsylvania
state flags, representing fallen military members from the state. The flags serve as a memorial to all military service members who have died in combat since the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The display will be open to the public in Veterans Grove on the campus of Masonic Village, 1 Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, from Saturday, Nov. 4, through Monday, Nov. 13. The Veterans Grove is located just past the main entrance along Masonic Drive, on the left. See Flags pg 2
“We are honoring any military veteran, no matter where they live or where they were born.”
Show will highlight heritage crafts
Banners are being installed throughout Elizabethtown to honor military service.
The second subcommittee installs the banners and comprises members of the Rotary Club and the Lions Club. Hitz noted that Rotarian Glen Bootay, owner of Waste Hauler Support Services, has been instrumental in the project, supplying equipment and manpower to install the banners. “He has worked tirelessly to perfect the hanging of the banners to the point that it only takes approximately 15 minutes to install one banner,” Hitz remarked, noting that Waste Hauler employee Matt Swartz has also been instrumental in the installation project.
The current agreement with Elizabethtown Borough and Mount Joy Township is to install banners from the Elizabethtown square, moving north and south on Market Street and east and west on High Street. “Future expansion could include West Donegal Township and other streets within the borough,” Hitz said. He noted that although the banners will be placed in the Elizabethtown area, people do not need to have been born or raised there to be featured on a banner. “We are honoring any military veteran, no matter where they live or where they were born,” he said.
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
“We may be a smaller craft show, but we are excited about our diverse vendor lineup this year,” said Malinda Miller, digital media manager for the Winters Heritage House Museum. The site will host its annual Elizabethtown Heritage Craft Show on Friday, Nov. 10, from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum, 47 E. High St., Elizabethtown.
See Honoring pg 5
“The Elizabethtown Heritage Craft Show offers the unique opportunity to shop quality handcrafted items in Elizabethtown’s historic log homes,” Miller noted. “There’s something for everyone, even your furry friend.” Vendors will sell a diverse selection of items, including jellies and jams, tarts and pastries by Manchester Teas & Tarts, hand-forged iron pieces, lathe turnings, stained glass, soap, candles, home décor, jewelry, dog treats, paper crafts and doll
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See Crafts pg 3
Let us show you the difference a caring neighbor can make. Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. Palmyra | 717-838-9211 Travis S. Finkenbinder, Supervisor
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Volunteers stand in front of the Massing of the Colors.
The banners are 29 inches wide by 60 inches long and are made of a high-quality canvas material. Each banner features a photo of the veteran as well as the branch he or she served in and the years served. “The response has been outstanding,” Hitz noted. “We currently have 60 banners in hand, some of which are already in place, with the rest to be installed as time and weather permits. We have 30 more banners in production and are working on the next set of 30 banners.” He emphasized that the project would not be possible without the support of two subcommittees. “One is our Pole Cat Committee, made up of members of the community and the Lions Club,” he explained. “Their focus is to identify utility poles that are acceptable for a banner.”
Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory Elizabethtown | 717-367-1543 Thomas W. Ford, Supervisor
Fager-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. Middletown | 717-944-7413 Alana A. Ace, Supervisor