Posted on 09/02/2011 11:44

State police honored for military service in Hampden Twp. ceremony

The Pennsylvania State Police honored 385 of its own for being heroes today.

Troopers from across the state received a military service award for having served on active duty in some capacity for the U.S. military since the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

"By wearing that second uniform, that uniform of our military, you are ennobling the one you are now wearing - the uniform of the Pennsylvania State Police," Gov. Tom Corbett told the troopers at this morning's recognition ceremony at Naval Support Activity in Hampden Twp.

Retired Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North was the keynote speaker at the event. North is founder of Freedom Alliance, a foundation that provides college scholarships for children of service members killed in action.

Special tributes were paid to troopers Scott R. Ball and Daniel R. Lightner Jr., both of whom were killed in the war on terror while deployed with the Pennsylvania National Guard.