“The Power of Noble Deeds” will be the focus of this
year’s annual tribute to Norristown native and American hero, Winfield Hancock
presented by the W.S. Hancock Society in Hancock Square at 12 noon. Hancock
Square sits right outside the Montgomery County Courthouse (Swede and Main
Streets) and contains the Soldier’s and Sailor’s monument which pays homage to
those brave men from Norristown who served during the American Civil War. In
keeping with the origins of Decoration Day and commemorating the 150th
anniversary of the 1864 campaigns, we will come together for this solemn and
patriotic day to honor their lives and all
veterans that hail from our county both past and present.
Our special honoree this year and the recipient of the second
Winfield Scott Hancock award is Paul R. Koons of West Norriton. Paul
is a WWII veteran who served in the Signal Corps in Germany during the occupation and a poster boy during that time for war
bonds but, in addition to his service, he has been a volunteer in many
capacities over the years in the Montgomery County area. From the Association
for the Blind, Calvary Baptist Church, the Kiwanis Club, Masonic Lodge Charity #190,
The Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Methacton School Board, The W.S. Hancock Society, Historical
Society of Montgomery County and the POS of A, he has given of his time and
talents in helping these organizations thrive. His most notable achievement in
this realm was working with the United States Marines in an overhaul of
Montgomery Cemetery back in the 1980’s and then, beginning in 1994, the
stabilization and restoration of the mausoleum of Winfield Hancock also at
Montgomery Cemetery. The archway at the entrance to the cemetery was also his
doing and we cannot think of a better way to honor his work than by paying
tribute to him this Memorial Day.
Music by the Norristown Chorale. Narrative by
W.S. Hancock Society Historian, Bruce Stocking with wreath laying. For more
information call – 610-630-0912 or drop by our website at www.wshancocksociety.orgTell your neighbors what the event is about (recommended)