By Lisa Mitchelllmitchell@21st-centurymedia.com @hamburgitem on Twitter
Cabela’s celebrated Memorial Day and honored those who serve our nation and community,with an in-store Hometown Heroes event May 20 and 21.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to the extraordinary men and women who serve our country and communities,” said Ron Leh, Retail Marketing Manager at the Hamburg store. “Our Hometown Heroes event is a way to show our appreciation for their dedication to helping others.”
Local military and first responder organizations had displays and booths at the event, including Shoemakersville Fire Company and Hamburg Ambulance who brought emergency vehicles to display out front of the store. Firefighters were on hand to give tours of a fire truck.
“It was a great event where we could interact with the community. We really appreciate when businesses around the area hold events like this where we can show our equipment and spend time with the people in our area,” said Shoemakersville Fire Company Lieutenant Tim Seyfert. “There were a lot of people who came to the event. Our firefighters provided tours of the fire trucks and handed out safety literature and plastic fire helmets for the kids.”
Local members of The Patriot Guard Riders set up a booth in the store. Bill Ryan of Palmer and Auburn residents Gerry and Joyce Pawlowski, Pa Region 5 Senior Ride Captain, wanted to spread awareness about what The Patriot Guard Riders do.
“We’re making people aware of what we are and what we do,” said Joyce. “We attend military funerals to show honor and respect to our military. Then we also try and do some special events… It’s all about honor and respect to the veterans.”
Joyce explained how to become a member of The Patriot Guard Riders.
“You don’t have to be a veteran. You don’t have to have a motorcycle. You just have to have it in your heart, the honor and respect for our military,” she said. “It just gives you a warm fuzzy feeling that you’re there for our veterans.”
“And their families,” added Gerry.
“It’s an honor and privilege to attend the funerals,” said Joyce about The Patriot Guard Riders providing flag lines at military funerals at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. “We’ve been having a really good turnout, 18 to 20 people are standing the flag lines for these veterans.”
Bill noted that many families do not know about The Patriot Guard Riders and how they honor veterans at military funerals.
“We can’t show up unless we’re asked,” said Joyce.
The event also offered free, in-store activities and increased in-store discounts to all active military and veterans, law-enforcement, firefighters and emergency services personnel during the event.
For more information, visit www.PGRPA.org.
