Northampton community honors deployed Air Force Senior Airman Austin Fizel of Holland during a flag placement ceremony
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
Inside the Richboro-based administration building of Northampton Township, a large wooden dais serves as an instant eye-catcher. Eighty-seven flags sit proudly beside each other, all representing local armed forces members who have been deployed, or are currently deployed, to hostile environments overseas. This is the powerful visual of the 15-year-old Northampton Patriots Flag Program.
Of those flags, 85 are American, which means their rightful owner returned home safely. The remaining two are military, both Air Force, representing the two Northampton residents still deployed.
The first belongs to Air Force Lt. Kelsey Glover, who was deployed in February to Qatar from MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. The second is for Air Force Senior Airman Austin Fizel of Holland, who was recently deployed to the Middle East from McGuire Air Force Base, also in Tampa. Once they return home, they’ll exchange their military flag for an American one.
Fizel’s flag is the latest addition to the display, with the placement ceremony occurring during the June 27 Northampton Township Board of Supervisors meeting. Loved ones, community members and state officials were on hand for the occasion, including Fizel’s parents, Marie and George, the Marine Corps League, Veterans Advisory Commission members, state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, state Rep. Helen Tai, as well as members of the Township’s volunteer fire company, of which Fizel is a member.
The ceremony commenced with program coordinator Peter Palestina taking the floor to share with attendees a bit about Fizel. This is his second deployment, with the first taking place on Aug. 23, 2016. Each deployment, Fizel acts as crew chief servicing KC-10 extender aircraft at Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Palestina then provided an overview of the Patriots Flag Program’s history, which initially only included residents serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“As many of you know, this all began 15 years ago. Back then, we knew of 24 such residents, and as of today, due to the expansion of our program to include Afghanistan and other hostile areas, we know of 86,” he explained.
At one time, all flags in the display were military, each customized with a yellow streamer emblazoned with his or her branch of service and name.
“After this evening, there will be 87 total flags with two of them armed services flags, that will be awaiting return of their representative,” Palestina said.
Fizel’s parents were handed their son’s Air Force flag, which they reverently placed in the display.
“I just want to thank everyone for putting all this work and effort into honoring my son and other people that served,” Marie said. “This is really a great honor for us as well.”
His father George was in agreement, sharing how each time he has the pleasure of Skyping with Fizel, his son expresses excitement about returning home to his community, especially the fire department.
“He speaks highly of everyone at the fire station. He misses it,” George said.
Fire chief Adam Selisker, who first informed Palestina about Fizel’s deployment, had a few gleaming words to say.
“Austin is one of our most active members,” Selisker said. “He’s a guy that’s always smiling, so I’m glad to hear he misses us because we really miss him. He joins a long list of our members that have served both the community and our country.”
Rep. Tai and Sen. Tomlinson addressed Fizel’s parents directly. Both stressed their understanding of the pain and concern they must be going through while their son is away, relying on sparse letters and Skype sessions to know he’s safe.
“I want to thank you for raising your son to do this,” Tai said. “It’s not something every person aspires to do, and so you must have done something right.”
Supervisor chairman Barry Moore also expressed his gratitude for Fizel’s service.
“I know today, it’s very much a hardship having a son overseas,” Moore said. “I’ve always said every time we do these ceremonies, I want to see that display back there all American flags, and I’m very certain it’s going to happen.”
Fizel is slated to return to the states in October. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
