Pennsbury Honors Fallen American Heroes

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA — Pennsbury High School West continued the school district's tradition of honoring its fallen heroes at the Pennsbury Wall of Honor Ceremony on Friday.

The event is held every year on the Friday before Memorial Day. Last year's event was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Don Bentivoglio, a member of the PHS Wall of Honor Advisory Board, was the featured speaker.
A United States Army Vietnam Veteran and graduate of the Pennsbury High School Class
of 1965, Bentivoglio spoke about the school tradition and its impact just before Memorial Day.

"This wall is unique," Bentivoglio said. "It's an incredible tribute to our fellow classmates, and the spirit of the wall should be shared on a wider basis. The names represent the best of us."

"I've been asked, 'What does the wall mean to me?' The best words that I can come up with are
absolute respect. Respect for those who paid with their lives and for the families left behind."

The Wall of Honor displays the names of 200 fallen soldiers who either graduated from Pennsbury High School or are connected to someone who works or worked for the district.

Michael Carr, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and Pennsbury High School alumni (Class of 1967), drove from Northeast Philadelphia to see the wall for the first time.

"It's very overwhelming. I didn't know how many names were on the wall here," said Carr.

Aly McBryar, Pennsbury's Wall of Honor Faculty Advisor, also spoke at the event.

"I believe it is paramount that the Pennsbury School District continues this deeply seeded American tradition of Memorial Day to specifically remember those Pennsbury graduates and
those within the Pennsbury community who gave the ultimate sacrifice to this great nation."

The tradition was established by the Pennsbury Wall of Honor Foundation, which was established in November of 2017.

"I am honored and privileged to run this ceremony every year and work with the amazing group
of proud Pennsbury Veterans who continue to come home to honor their friends and fellow
service members," McBryar said. "The community of Pennsbury is deeply rooted in hard work and patriotism, and the Wall of Honor ceremony is a direct reflection of that. The love and respect I have for my veterans runs deep, and I cherish them all every single day."