Major General David C. Hill, a 1986 Crestwood High School and United States Military Academy graduate who currently commands the United States Army War College in Carlisle, will be honored for his service at Crestwood High School’s third annual Salute to Service football game on Friday, Sept. 29, when the Comets host Wilkes-Barre Area at 7 p.m.
Major General Hill, a 37-year U.S. Army veteran, was honored last year as a Distinguished Crestwood Alumnus.
The Salute to Military is coordinated by assistant coach Martin Bibla and Patrick Rother, commander of Slocum Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7918, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
“It’s an honor,” said sophomore Shedlock quarterback when asked about participating in the game for his second time. “Those men and women have done great things for our country. It means a lot to us.”
A number of veterans groups from the Mountain Top and Wilkes-Barre areas will participate in this year’s event, In addition to Slocum VFW Post 7918, those groups will include Mountain Top American Legion Post 781, Mountain Top Sons of the American Legion Post 781, White Haven Marine Corps League 1039, Dorrance American Legion Post 288, White Haven VFW, Wilkes-Barre American Legion Post 815, Wilkes-Barre VFW, and Plains American Legion Post 558.
Also participating are the Veterans Promise and American Legion Riders motorcycle groups.
Rother said prior to the game the veterans will hand American flags around the stadium.
Bibla said a Pennsylvania National Guard helicopter from Fort Indiantown Gap is expected to land prior to the game. The National Guard also has provided game jerseys for the Crestwood players. On the backs of the jerseys, rather than individual players’ names, will be written the core values of the various United States military branches: Honor, Courage, Duty, Service and Commitment.
Prior to the game, the national anthem will be sung by state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski and his granddaughter, Crestwood senior Mia Costello.
Prior to his assignment at the Army War College, Hill served as the Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and as the Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Central. His operational assignments include Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Joint Endeavor, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Hill’s awards and decorations include three Distinguished Service Medals, three Legion of Merit Medals, three Bronze Star Medals, five Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, six Army Achievement Medals, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge and Army Staff Identification Badge.
