Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Joins State Police Commissioner and Lt. Col. Oliver North in Ceremony Honoring Troopers' Military Service

MECHANICSBURG, Pa., Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today joined State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan and retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Oliver North at a ceremony recognizing the military service of state police personnel.

The ceremony, the first of its kind in Pennsylvania, honored more than 300 members of the State Police who have also served in the U.S. Armed Forces since the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

"This is something very close to my heart,'' Noonan said. "It's important to recognize the people who protect our country here and protect our country overseas. Since 9/11, we've had to respond to threats against our country at home and abroad. These are the people who respond.''

"By wearing that second uniform, that uniform of our military, you have ennobled the one you are now wearing – the uniform of the Pennsylvania State Police,'' Gov. Corbett told the troopers. "You have won the undying respect and gratitude of the state where our nation's liberty was founded.''

Two state troopers were killed in action while deployed with the Pennsylvania National Guard. The families of Troopers Daniel R. Lightner Jr. and Scott R. Ball received special recognition at this morning's event.

North, the ceremony's keynote speaker, is a combat-decorated Marine, earning the Silver Star and Bronze Star for Valor and two Purple Hearts having been wounded in action. He is also the founder of the Freedom Alliance, which provides college scholarships for the children of service members killed in action.

Also participating in the event, held at the Naval Support Activity Center in Mechanicsburg, was Major General Wesley E. Craig, Adjutant General of Pennsylvania and Capt. James Smart, the support center's commanding officer.    

Nearly 200 award recipients were able to attend the ceremony, as well as families of state troopers who are currently deployed overseas with the military. At the conclusion of the ceremony, each of the honorees received a Pennsylvania State Police/Military Service Award and certificate. After the ceremony, Corbett, Noonan and Smart laid a wreath at the Naval Center's memorial to honor those killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

Media contacts: Maria Finn, State Police, 717-783-5556, or Janet Kelley, Governor's Press Office, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania State Police