Burns to honor veterans at tonight’s Saint Francis University basketball game
Rep. Frank Burns November 9, 2018 | 1:20 PM
EBENSBURG, Nov. 9 – State Rep. Frank Burns will honor Cambria County veterans at the Saint Francis University men’s basketball game tonight, donating 720 flag lapel pins for veterans attending the home opener against Morgan State.
“Representative Burns has done a lot for veterans in Cambria County, which is the number-one reason I reached out to his office,” said Christopher Miller, who is coordinating the “Salute to Service” at Saint Francis. “Having him here just shows how seriously we care about the veterans in this area.”
Burns, D-Cambria, said, “Our veterans put their lives on the line to defend our great nation and we owe them a debt of gratitude. I donated flag pins because the flag is the symbol of American greatness that our veterans fought valiantly to defend.”
All veterans will be recognized at the first timeout of the game, university officials said. At halftime, two local Purple Heart recipients – Matthew Gibbons, retired from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, and Joseph Neary, retired from the U.S. Army – will be honored.
“This is just one small way to recognize our local veterans and let them know we will never forget their sacrifice for our freedom,” Burns said.
Tonight’s game will be held at DeGol Arena in the Maurice Stokes Athletics Center, 140 Lakeview Drive in Loretto. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. and admission is free for all veterans.