Marine Captain Gary E. Crowell has written a stirring poem, along with integral art work, based on the Vietnam Wall, which is a distinctive memorial in the Nation’s Capitol. Many a tear is shed by loved ones, as they read the names of their sons and daughters, engraved in the cold, black granite, who made the supreme sacrifice in the Vietnam Conflict.
Capt. Crowell integrated this poem, titled “Reflection and Remembrance”, and a picture of the Wall and floral design into a beautiful work of art, which will be dedicated this Memorial Day weekend, Sunday, May 30, at Trinity Episcopal Church, Tyrone and will be hung on the wall along with the engraved names of church members who have served the United States in the Armed Forces.
This picture was recently on the cover of the Marine Corp League’s National Directory.
Capt. Crowell graduated from Penn State University and has held positions in Pennsylvania State Government, including the post of Secretary of General Services for some thirty years, and most recently, retiring from a position in Tom Ridge’s Department of Home Land Security, Washington, D.C.
Capt. Crowell was inducted into the Department of Military and Veteran’s Affairs, Hall of Fame, by General James MacVay, the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, on October 15, 1998.
Capt. Crowell is a Vietnam Veteran, with decorations that include the purple heart, bronze star and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
Capt. Crowell is the second in line of five brothers and a sister, who with his parents and siblings, attended Trinity Episcopal Church every Sunday. He was baptized, confirmed and married at Trinity and served as acolyte and lector.
His grandfather, Raymond A. Hagerman, Mayor of Tyrone for 25 years and leader in the life of Trinity, sat in the fourth pew from the front, along with his wife, Katherine and five daughters: Helen, Rosemary, Rae, Kate and Doris, most every Sunday for many years.
It is interesting to note that Helen became his mother.
Capt. Crowell is married to Donna Sellers and they have a son, Errin and reside in the Camp Hill area. He was born in Tyrone, the son of Jules E. and the late Helen Hagerman Crowell.
On Sunday a plaque containing Capt. Crowell’s poem will be dedicated during the 11 a.m. church services at Trinity Episcopal Church on Washington Avenue.
It will be hung in the rear of the church alongside a plaque containing the names of all the men and women of Trinity Church who have served their country as a member of the Armed Forces.
The public is invited to attend.
