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The Allentown Chapter of the Honorary First Defenders & 213th RSG Joint is holding their 76th Annual Military Ball on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Estonian, located at 90 Kunkle Drive, Easton, PA. The Ball commences with cocktails at 5:30 PM followed by a dinner and awards ceremony. The night concludes with a Military Grand March and dancing. This event brings all branches of the service together in one gala event. It is a tribute to our military troops and precludes our annual Veteran’s Day on November 11th.
Each year the Honorary First Defender’s presents the Commander’s Award plaque to one serviceman/woman from each of the local reserve units. This award is in recognition for outstanding service in their respective Reserve Component.
This year’s recipients are:
Sergeant Daniel Mitchell, U.S. Marine Corps
Sergeant Daniel Mitchell enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in July 2013. He graduated from Recruit Training at Marine Corps Depot Parris Island, South Carolina in October 2014, as the Company Honor Graduate. Upon his graduation, Sergeant Mitchell attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Upon completion of MCT, Private First Class Mitchell reported to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for training as a Fire Direction Controlman, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 0844. Sergeant Mitchell is currently assigned to India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines Regiment, 4th Marine Division in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Sergeant Mitchell has consistently displayed unyielding dedication to his duties while serving in the Fire Direction Center (FDC), Battery I, 3rd Battalion 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division. He has served as the battery Assistant Operations Chief for the past six months. Sergeant Mitchell continues to look for ways to increase his knowledge in the operations of the battery, as he has recently become certified to proctor the Physical Fitness Test (PFT), the Combat Fitness Test (CFT) and the Body Composition Program. This has made Sergeant Mitchell a force multiplier and valuable asset to the Operations Chief in the I&I staff. For Annual Training 2019 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Sergeant Mitchell ran the FDC for the first time, ensuring safe data going to and from the gunline, thereby supervising timely accurate firing of over 600 rounds.
Sergeant Mitchell has set himself apart from his peers by exhibiting superior leadership, professionalism, dependability, maturity, and knowledge. Sergeant Mitchell has consistently made it a point to assist Marines in passing their PFT and CFT by establishing workout programs for the troops in the FDC. Additionally, Sergeant Mitchell has been promoted meritoriously to the ranks of Corporal and Sergeant.
Sergeant Mitchell has received his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from West Chester University. In his civilian career, he is currently Director of Safety at Sunbelt Rentals, where he handles all Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigations, trainings, and certifications, along with Department of Transportation compliance. Additionally, he has volunteered for various community related events to benefit servicemen and women including: Toys for Tots events, memorial ceremonies and performing military funeral honors. Sergeant Mitchell continuously searches for opportunities to advance his career in the Marine Corps and the civilian world, while helping others advance as well. Sergeant Mitchell is an inspiration to all those who serve with him.
MA2 Andrew J. Brown, U. S. Navy Reserve
MA2 Andrew Brown is home based out of NR NSF Philadelphia (UIC 84249) where he serves as the unit’s Assistant Lead Petty Officer and Command Fitness Leader.
He joined the Navy Reserve in June of 2012 and completed his Master-At-Arms “A” school at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He was then assigned to NR NSF Philadelphia where he has conducted Motor Vehicle Patrol and Gate Sentry duties for nearly 7 years. He also has attended the Navy Security Reaction Force Advanced and Command Fitness Leader school.
He has volunteered to provide security at many regional Navy events including the commissioning ceremony for the USS SOMERSET at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia, the 2013 Naval Academy Graduation in Annapolis, Maryland, the 21st International Seapower Symposium at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and Fleet Week in New York City in 2017.
In his civilian career he works in the flour division of FM Browns Sons, Inc., a mill located in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, that is a unit of the company owned by his family that has been in operation for over 176 years. He is the sixth generation of the Brown family working at the company. In October of 2019 he will be taking leave from the family business to take active duty recall orders at Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Lehigh Valley to lead the NOSC’s Armed Watchstander Program.
He is 34 years old and was born in Reading, Pennsylvania but raised in Fleetwood, PA. He is passionate about fitness and competes in many 5k, Spartan Races, Tough Mudders, and other races throughout the year where he has won multiple awards. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management with a Minor in Homeland Security from Keystone College.
He was selected as the Reserve Junior Sailor of the Year for NOSC Lehigh Valley for FY17 and FY18. His current awards include three Navy Achievement Medals and a Flag Letter of Commendation.
We thank each of these recipients and all servicemen/women for their dedication and sacrifice to ensure our freedom, and the well being of all the people of the United States of America.
The current Commander of the Honorary First Defenders is Major General Gerald Still, USAF (ret).
www.honoraryfirstdefenders.com
Information provided to TVL by:
Vi Hertzog
Honorary First Defenders
Public Information Officer
