With each new client, comes a new relationship. After a short six months of working on a Hometown Hero Banner campaign with my newest clients, Chris and Ruth Giardina (Dalton, PA), this wonderful story emerged. I am honored to share this story and Chris was kind enough to fill me in on the details and provide some photos of these proud moments with his family.

Hometown Hero

To kick off the campaign in Dalton, Chris and Ruth had a pole banner created to honor Vincent Giardina, Chris’ father. Vincent completed his military career after four years in the US Navy during the Korean War as a second class petty officer. As Chris explains, “My dad often regales us with stories of how it was one of the best experiences of his life, saying the food was really great.” 😊  Dad was in the Ordinance Group on a carrier squadron and traveled across the globe during an era when seeing the world was beyond the reach of most humans, let alone a kid from Newark, NJ.

Happy 91st Birthday Vincent Giardina

(May27th) As the Giardina Family planned to celebrate Vincent’s 91st birthday at The Great Pocono Raceway Airshow in Long Pond, PA, many surprises awaited.

Vincent’s granddaughter Maddie coordinated with the Director of Military Affairs at the speedway, Kevin Bittenbender, to help make this 91st birthday one of “the best days he has ever had”.

The folks in the photo are Chris' family and his dad with Kevin Bittenbender and Kirby, his trusted therapy dog. Kevin presented a signed photograph from all of the Blue Angels to Vincent from the executive team at Pocono Raceway. All of this was coordinated by Kevin and the execs at Pocono Raceway. We can’t thank them enough for what they did for us, and what they do for all veterans, and we are indebted to them for their kindness and commitment to our family and our veterans.

Pictured: Andrew Giardina (grandson), Chris and Ruth, Maddie Giardina (granddaughter) and Mario Posocco, Maddie's boyfriend with Vincent and Sgt. Major (ret) Kevin Bittenbender and Kirby. 

Meeting a True Hometown Hero

Chris said, “The biggest kudos goes to a true hero, someone who the entire set of tributes to our veterans could not be more exemplified than in the person of U.S. Army Sergeant Major Kevin Bittenbender, http://linkedin.com/in/kevin-bittenbender-59405737 who keeps giving and giving beyond what most of us can probably ever imagine is possible.

He currently is the Director of Military Affairs at Pocono Raceway and his commitment and history of serving our country and military veterans is inspiring. He truly represents what is meant when we say “Hometown Hero.”

More on one of Kevin Bittenbender’s recent achievments can be seen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUFJVkQpkVU 

Vincent and his granddaughter, Maddie at the air show.

Happy Birthday message appeared on the "Big Screen" throughout the afternoon at the air show, thanks to Maddie and Kevin.