Seventeen new banners were recently unveiled around the Montgomery County Courthouse to honor local residents who have lost their lives during military service, writes Kaitlyn Foti for The Times Herald.

The unveiling ceremony was held in front of the County Commissioners, staff, and family members of the fallen heroes on the steps of the courthouse. During the ceremony, a Gold Star mother was presented with a banner that has been hanging in honor of her son since 2008.

“Our gathering here today shows our gratitude and honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice, allowing us our freedom. We are extremely grateful for our community’s way to say we remember and will never forget,” said Rhonda Worthington, president of the North Penn Chapter of the American Gold Star Mothers.

The brave soldiers being honored were members of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and the Marines. Each one holds a photo of the deceased, along with their branch and rank, hometown, age, and information on when and where they died.

From the Army:

• John Bubeck, Collegeville, age 25
• Paul Karpowich, Bridgeport, age 30
• Kurt Krout, Spinnerstown, age 43
• John Kulick, Harleysville, age 35
• Nathan Raudenbush, Douglassville, age 25
• Anthony Sherman, Pottstown, age 43
• Marc J. Small, Collegeville, age 29
• Tristen Smith, Bryn Athyn, age 23
• Jeffrey Toczylowski, New Berlinville, age 30
• Travis Zimmerman, New Berlinville, age 19

From the Army Reserve:

• Mark P. Phelan, Green Lane, age 44.

From the Marines:

• Joseph Basil Maglione III, Lansdale, age 22
• Travis M. Stottlemyer, Hatfield, age 20
• John Todd III, Bridgeport, age 24
• Brandon J. VanParys, Schwenksville, age 20.

From the Coast Guard

• Jake S. Moletzsky, Norristown, age 26.

From the Navy SEALs:

• Eric F. Shellenberger, Pennsburg, age 36.

Read more about these fallen heroes in The Times Herald by clicking here.