CORAPOLIS, Pa. (June 13, 2010) - - A local Army Reserve officer with more than 28 years of military service was recognized recently with a unique award- Citizen of the Year.
Lt. Col. Samuel Wagner, of New Stanton, Pa., was recognized during a recent borough council meeting as New Stanton's 2009 Citizen of the Year for organizing a Veterans Day service and helping the community honor its local veterans.
"I am grateful to receive an award in honor of those veterans we were able to recognize on Veterans Day," said Wagner, a Soldier with the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command here.
Citizen of the Year is an honor granted by council members to a non-member for their community involvement. Members felt that Wagner sparked a tradition that had fallen to the wayside. For his dedication and ambition, members felt that he not only exemplified but deserved the award.
"He (Wagner) initiated a program that we let die. He put the fire into the program again," said Wilbur Bussard, council vice president and local Army veteran.
A month prior to Veterans Day, Wagner presented his program idea to the borough council members in an effort to recognize New Stanton service members and veterans. While the citizens had dedicated a memorial to veterans years ago, they had never hosted a Veterans Day service. With the help of council members, like Bussard, Wagner was able to put a service together; a tradition he hopes to continue every year.
"Why go to Pittsburgh for a service when we can honor local veterans right here in our own community," said Wagner.
The event inspired the community to get involved, to include a local landscaping company that beautified the site prior to the event, the local high school that provided a bugler and local business owners who donated food and drinks.
After the service, cards were signed and sent to New Stanton military members who are currently serving overseas. Another card was sent to the wife and children of Lt. Col. Alan Wagner, Samuel's brother.
Approximately 50 people attended - but one familiar face was missing from the crowd.
Months prior to the service, Wagner was selected to serve as a Casualty Assistance Officer for one of the families impacted by the Fort Hood shootings. Unfortunately, the duty required him to travel to Fort Hood on the day of the event. In his place was Maj. Todd Moore, of Waynesburg, Pa., who volunteered to serve as the main speaker.
The Citizen of the Year award was appreciated, but the work does not stop here, said Wagner.
Next year's event is already in the works. The service will be similar but there will be some new additions as well, to include a memorial to the War on Terrorism and a static Army display.
The goal, "To make it bigger and better," said Bussard.
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