October 6, 2021 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Sheriff, hospital team up for cancer awareness

CCSO vitale pink ribbon 1021 — Corporal Steve Vitale displays a breast cancer awareness ribbon on a Chester County Sheriff’s Office patrol car.

Thanks to a collaboration with Chester County Hospital, this October the Chester County Sheriff’s Office’s patrol cars are accessorizing with pink cancer ribbons in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The goal is to raise awareness that leads to education, encourage those facing the disease, honor those who survived it, and remember loved ones who succumbed to it.

The idea for placing pink ribbon magnets on CCSO’s cars that travel throughout Chester County came from Corporal Steve Vitale, who lost Ann Marie—his wife—to breast cancer. “We are all affected by the terrible disease of breast cancer. Some of us at the CCSO have experienced personal loss,” he said. “Keeping the disease in the public mindset may help to remind people to have medical exams, learn the signs, and support affected families.”

“We’re delighted to collaborate with Chester County Hospital to raise awareness of breast cancer,” said Chester County Sheriff Fredda Maddox. “As our Office works to protect people at Chester County’s facilities from threats, the Hospital’s healthcare personnel work to protect our community from disease.”

“Chester County Hospital is honored to work with CCSO in raising awareness for breast cancer. One in eight women develops invasive breast cancer throughout her lifetime. The prevalence of this diagnosis underscores the importance of screenings and early detection. While we honor the memory of those lost to breast cancer, and support the many who are courageously battling this disease, we also remind our community to schedule their mammograms and remain vigilant with their healthcare needs,” shared Maureen Hewitt, MD, Assistant Medical Director of Penn Hematology and Oncology at the Abramson Cancer Center at Chester County Hospital.

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Concord dedicates Chair of Honor

Local News Concord, Local News

_1JF8973-unveiling — Council Co-Vice President John Gillespie, left, and Ralph Galati unveil the Chair of Honor.

Concord Township Council held a ceremony dedicating a Chair of Honor for United States military personnel who went missing in action but who were never found.

The ceremony, part of the Oct. 5 Council meeting, featured Wallingford resident Ralph W. Galati, Capt. USAF, a former fighter pilot. Galati was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War when his F 4 Phantom was shot down over North Vietnam in 1972. He was a prisoner of war, held captive for more than 400 days.

Council Co-Vice President John Gillespie described the action leading to Galati’s capture. He said Galati remained over hostile territory for more than two hours spotting targets while drawing heavy anti-aircraft fire that February night in 1972. Galati’s targeting led to the destruction of two heavy field pieces, Gillespie said, five anti-aircraft positions, and a supply warehouse before Galati was shot down.

Galati, who was eventually awarded a Silver Star for his actions, thanked the council for dedicating the chair.

The inscription on the Chair of Honor. The chair is now on display in the lobby of the Concord Township municipal building.

“I’m a lucky guy. I survived Feb. 16, 1972. I was lucky that I had 591 mentors when I was in Hanoi.”

Those “mentors” were fellow U.S. prisoners of war, some of whom had been prisoners since 1964. He said the newer prisoners did the best they could to let the men who had been held captive longer that they had not been forgotten.

He said there’s an obligation to remember that more than 80,000 members of the United States military have been missing since WWII and their remains have never been found. It is to them, he said, that the chair is dedicated.

“What this chair represents is your acknowledgment, your recognition of the missing. Thank you for doing that,” Galati said to members of the council.

Gillespie then read the dedication.

“This memorial of an empty chair symbolizes the absence of the soldier who has given the ultimate sacrifice, held prisoner of war, or listed as missing in action whose remains have not been returned.

“Since WWII, more than 82,000 service members are unaccounted for. This memorial honors all those who never came home.

“We will never forget their service and sacrifice.”

The ceremony ended will the playing of Taps. The chair will be on display in the township building’s lobby.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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Police Log Oct. 5: Thefts

Local News

Pennsylvania State Police

Media Barracks

• Police are investigating a theft by deception incident in which a woman’s cell phone and wallet were stolen from her bag while shopping at Costco, and the stolen credit card was later used at Target in Concord Township. The incident happened on Sep.17. The suspects were seen leaving the Target parking lot in a gray Honda Accord with New York tag number KJK8446.

• Police are also investigating the reported theft of $898 worth of merchandise from the Gap on Route 202. The theft happened on Sept. 29.

• A Concord Township couple was the victim of fraud in late September. A police report said someone forged one of the victim’s names and withdrew $5,000 from the bank account. The report also said the same unidentified suspect tried the same thing earlier this year but was unsuccessful.

Avondale Barracks

State police from the Avondale barracks arrested a 21-year-old man from Bear on drug possession charges following a traffic stop on Sept. 11. The incident happened on Route 1 at Newark Road at 12:32 a.m. The report said the unidentified driver was observed committing numerous traffic violations and that the odor of marijuana was present when troopers approached the vehicle. A search revealed a plastic bag with cannabis and paraphernalia.

Kennett Square Police Department

• Police said Lasheira Johnson, 32, of Chester, was arrested and charged with DUI and related traffic offenses after officers were dispatched for a female asleep in a vehicle. The incident occurred on Sept. 17, at approximately 1:57 p.m., near W. State Street and S. Mill Road. According to the report, when officers contacted Johnson, they observed indicators suggesting intoxication, and field sobriety tests showed impairment. She was taken into custody for suspected DUI and submitted to a chemical test of her blood. Johnson was transported to Central Booking at Chester County Prison, according to the report.

• On Sept. 17, at approximately 10:58 a.m., Borough police were conducting a speed enforcement detail in the 500 Block of E. State Street and observed a Ford work van traveling at a high rate of speed. Subsequently, a traffic stop was initiated in the 100 Block of Race Street, Kennett Square Borough. Upon making contact with the driver, identified as Albert Lamar, it was discovered he did not have a valid driver’s license. Upon further investigation, it was found Lamar was a habitual offender for driving with a suspended license. After reviewing Lamar’s extensive driver’s history from PennDOT, charges were filed with District Court 15-3-04 for habitual offenses and other related traffic offenses.

About CFLive Staff

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