The chairman of the grassroots organization that is bringing a Vietnam veterans memorial to Lower Bucks County was honored last night as a “Hometown Hero” by the Philadelphia Phillies. Bucks Local News reported the effort and the recognition it precipitated.

Ed Preston of Hulmeville got behind the ongoing effort to establish a Lower Bucks County Vietnam Veterans Memorial. According to the project’s website, the project intends to “permanently pay tribute to all the Vietnam Veterans in Lower Bucks County, spotlighting the 96 killed or still missing.”

The memorial is finished and will be dedicated September 26 at Veterans Park in Middletown Township.

Its organizers describe it as “two black granite panels 30″w x 66″h. The right panel will have the names of the 96 servicemen from Lower Bucks County lost during the war. The left panel will be dedicated to all those suffering from the effects of Agent Orange and PTSD as a result of the Vietnam War.”

In addition to its depiction of a young American soldier, the memorial will list the names of lost Vietnam servicemen from Lower Bucks County.

For his work, the Phillies recognized Preston. After the third inning, he joined the Phillies ground crew to swap out third base.

More on the memorial and the recognition of its champion is at Bucks Local News.