Northampton community celebrates safe return of local Air Force Senior Airman Austin Fizel
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
The last time Northampton’s Marie and George Fizel attended a board of supervisors meeting, an unsettling mixture of pride and fear resonated between the two. It was the evening of June 27, and their son Austin, an Air Force Senior Airman, had recently deployed to the Middle East from McGuire Air Force Base.
Though this was his second deployment, with the first taking place August 23, 2016, parting ways wasn’t any easier. Each day, as Austin acted as crew chief servicing KC-10 Extender aircraft at Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, he would be in harm’s way.
That night, Marie and George placed an Air Force flag emblazoned with Austin’s name in a large wooden display, located in the Administration Building at 55 Township Road, Richboro. This display, which holds more than 80 flags, is the heart of the 15-year-old Northampton Patriots Flag Program, which honors local soldiers serving in hostile environments. The armed services flag remains in the display until the resident returns home, at which point it’s returned to them and an American flag is put in its place.
During the Oct. 24 supervisors meeting, Marie and George were once again in attendance. But this time, all hints of fear were gone as they stood beaming beside a young man in a crisply ironed uniform.
Austin was back.
As family, friends, veterans and fellow volunteer firefighters looked on, the 20-something Council Rock South graduate was gifted with the Air Force flag his parents held four long months ago. Chairman Barry Moore did the honors and added Austin’s American flag to the display, making it the 85th to represent a safe return.
“This is the greatest honor that the board of supervisors has,” Moore said. “I guess the only recommendation and request I have for you is to stay here for a while. Enjoy yourself. Certainly, you deserve it. You’ve gone overseas twice and you volunteer for the fire company. Spend time with family, spend time with friends. Thank you again and welcome back.”
After the ceremonial flag exchange, Austin was recognized by veterans advocate Peter Chong, who was present on behalf of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, and district administrator Kerry Judge, who represented Sen. Tommy Tomlinson. Both awarded Austin with certificates of recognition for his dedication and commitment to serving the country.
Also wishing Austin a big welcome home was Rep. Helen Tai. Though she couldn’t be at the meeting, she submitted a heartfelt letter, which was read by supervisor Kim Rose.
“Austin, she wanted you to know that one of her first duties as a state rep was to be at your flag placement ceremony when you were deployed,” Rose said. “And it was such a shining, proud moment for her. She regrets not being able to be here tonight to welcome you home, but she’s very happy for your safe return and she wants to thank you for your service.”
Quietly and humbly, Austin took the whole experience in before expressing a few words of gratitude.
“I’d like to say thank you to everyone in attendance today and everyone who couldn’t be here,” he said. “I’d like to say a couple of thanks. To my mother and father for making sure that I was taken care of while I was overseas, and also to my second family, the fire department, for always making sure that I was taken care of.”
Northampton Patriots Flag Program coordinator Pete Palestina then made a special, surprise announcement. That morning, he was contacted by Kay Glover, whose daughter, Air Force Lt. Kelsey Glover, was deployed to Qatar from MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida in February. Kay informed him Kelsey was to return to MacDill on or around Oct. 24. Kelsey will remain at the base for three months before her next deployment, and will only be in town for Thanksgiving. Since she’ll be unable to attend the next supervisors meeting on Nov. 14, Kelsey’s parents will exchange the flags on her behalf.
For those in the audience unfamiliar with this long-standing initiative to honor local heroes, Palestina provided some background.
“This all began 15 years ago on April 23, 2003, when the board of supervisors introduced the Northampton Patriots Flag Program to honor our Northampton residents serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Back then, we knew of 24 such residents, and as of today, due to the expansion of the program to include Afghanistan and other hostile areas, we know of 87,” he said. “After tonight, there will be 88 flags total, with two of them armed services flags awaiting return of its representative, one Army and one Air Force.”
Palestina explained how there are 88 flags for 87 people — one resident first deployed in 2006 while in the Army, and again in 2010 while in the Navy.
The program started while Palestina was on the Board of Supervisors, and he has been able to proudly witness its growth over the years. When it began in April 2003, a flag ceremony was held for the 24 residents in what’s now known as Bobby Dembowski Jr. Memorial Park. Family members, who were escorted by supervisors, placed flags in the ground in honor of their loved ones serving overseas.
According to Palestina, they didn’t think the war would last that long. But as October rolled around, there was no end in sight and, due to the weather, the flags started to tatter. It was at this point that a small, indoor display was constructed, which has been expanded numerous times. As of four months ago, it can comfortably hold 120 flags. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
