PHOTO: Kathy Powers, who will be presented with this year’s First Responder Valor Award
Remembrance Ceremony Honoring First Responders & Live Music Highlight Patriot Day Activities at SteelStacks Sept. 11
Bethlehem EMT Kathy Powers to be honored with
2017 ArtsQuest First Responder Valor Award
BETHLEHEM, PA—The public is invited to join ArtsQuest in honoring our region’s first responders, law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical personnel during Patriot Day presented by Embassy Bank Sept. 11, 6-8 p.m., at SteelStacks.
This year marks the 16th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center in New York City and Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., as well as the crew and passengers aboard Flight 93, which crashed in a western Pennsylvania field. As we remember those lost on that day, SteelStacks will also honor the men and women who stepped up to help amid the devastation, as well as those individuals who continue to put themselves in harm’s way in our communities every day.
At 6 p.m. on Sept. 11, at the ArtsQuest Center, ArtsQuest will honor area first responders with a special ceremony that includes the presentation of the 2017 ArtsQuest First Responder Valor Award to Bethlehem resident Kathy Powers. Powers worked at Muhlenberg Hospital for 34 years as an in-house patient transporter, as well as an EMT with the Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Company Station for 31 years. Following her retirement in 2011, she began volunteering at ArtsQuest, which was of particular interest to Powers because her parents, siblings and uncle had all worked at Bethlehem Steel. In recognition of her efforts and dedication to her community for more than three decades, ArtsQuest President and CEO Kassie Hilgert and Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez will present Powers with a glass sculpture hand-blown by the artists at the ArtsQuest Glass Studio at the Banana Factory.
This year, ArtsQuest is also inviting all the first responders who have been featured on the ‘Our Hometown Heroes’ banners from 2013-‘17 to attend the Patriot Day service to be recognized for their courage and dedication to our communities. A group photo will be taken, commemorating the special occasion. Individuals interested in attending should RSVP by filling out the registration form at www.steelstacks.org/ patriot-day/ by Thursday, Sept. 7. The group will meet on the first floor of the ArtsQuest Center at 6 p.m., with the photo immediately following the service.
Other activities during the ceremony include the singing of the National Anthem by Sing for America and a color guard presentation. Following the event, attendees can enjoy live music by Tavern Tan on the TD Community Stage.
Additionally, all first responders in attendance will receive a 20-percent discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages at the Mike & Ike Bistro in the ArtsQuest Center from 5-9 p.m.; identification must be provided to receive the discount.
For more information on Patriot Day presented by Embassy Bank, visit www.steelstacks.org.
Information and image provided to TVL by:
Mark Demko, ArtsQuest
http://www.artsquest.org/
