The 2008 American Legion/VFW Joint Veterans Day ceremony will feature guest speaker Gary E. Crowell.
The ceremony takes place at the American Legion home on Tuesday, November 11 at 11 a.m.
Currently, Gary is an independent consultant specializing in emergency planning and operations, and government relations. He is the founder and CEO of World Youth for International Coexistence.
He previously served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and was Assistant Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington D.C. Prior to moving to the Federal Government, Gary was Secretary of the Department of General Services for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Gary held other positions including: Vice President of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry; Chief Clerk of the Pennsylvania Senate; Executive Director, Independent Regulatory Review Commission and Director of the Office of Administrative Services, Department of Justice.
Upon graduation from Penn State University, Gary was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps with service in Vietnam. Combat decorations include the Bronze Star with “V”, Purple Heart and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
Gary has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Military and Veterans Hall of Fame, is a recipient of the Pennsylvania Meritorious Service Medal and an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and is a distinguished alumnus of the Tyrone Area School District.
