First Defenders present awards

Honorary First Defender's presents the Commander's Award plaque yearly to one serviceman/woman from each of the local reserve units. Recognized for outstanding service in their respective Reserve components are Pretty Officer Orlando Quintero, U.S. Navy Reserve; Sgt. Anthony Panzarella, U. S. Marine Corps Reserve; Staff Sgt. Gabriello Noviello, PA Army National Guard; and Sgt. Marie Lee Smith, U. S. Army Reserve.

Thanks to the recipients and all servicemen/women for their dedication and sacrifice to ensure our freedom, and the well-being of all the people of the United States of America.

Police detective receives state award

Detective Chad Wasserman, a Bethlehem Police Department detective and a member of the Lehigh County Auto Theft and Insurance Fraud Task Force, was given the Tony Kane Award by the Pennsylvania Auto Crime Investigators. The Dec. 6 award was presented at a ceremony at the Philadelphia Police Department 8th District.

"Detective Wasserman is to be commended for his exemplary work in this investigation," said Lehigh County District Attorney James B. Martin. "He has led investigations into the operations of chop shops and serial car thieves. This latest investigation into a very complex car theft ring showcased his tenacity and the energy and experience he brings to all of his cases."

The case resulted in the recovery of vehicles valued at approximately a quarter of a million dollars, redit card losses of approximately a half million dollars and multi-count criminal complaints being filed against five alleged participants in the ring.

In October, Wasserman received the Scott A. Wertz Auto Theft Investigator of the Y ear award from the Pennsylvania Auto Theft Prevention Authority.

Resident earns DeSales award

Bethlehem resident Debra Springer was recently awarded the Father Alexander Pocetto, OSFS, Scholarship from DeSales University's adult evening program, ACCESS, in which she is an accounting major. The award is given to current ACCESS students who have taken at least five courses and are in good academic standing. Applicants must also answers the eassay question, "What does the pursuit of higher education mean to you." Fr. Pocetto is a retired senior vice president of the university and one of the founders of the ACCESS program.

Residents on deans list

Bethlehem residents Hansneet Sarang and Abilgail Tercha, both doctor of pharmacy candidates, have been named to the summer 2013 dean's list at University of the Sciences. Selection for this award is based on completing and passing all assigned courses with no grade below a "C" and attaining an academic average of at least 3.4 for courses taken in the summer semester of 2013.

Two locals in veterans project

Two Bethlehem residents, Nikki DeLeon, a nursing major, and Joshua Reightler, a mechanical engineering major, completed an oral history project as part of the "Be the Change" foundations course. The Wilkes University freshmen met one-on-one with the veterans whose service ranged from World War II to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Each veteran received a copy of his or her oral history as a keepsake at the end of the semester.

Wilkes College, Wilkes University is located at 84 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre. For more information, call 1-800-WILKES- or visit www.wilkes.edu.

Graduates basic training

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Allison C. Long, a Southern Lehigh HS alumna, graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of Marilyn and Jim Long of Bethlehem and the granddaughter of Loretta and Clarence Long of Hellertown.

The intensive, eight-week program included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

MOMA officers elected

The Pennsylvania Council of Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America recently elected officers for the 2013-14 term. Incoming persons are retired Lt. Col. Bob Gray, U.S. Army, Camp Hill, president ; retired Lt. Col. Bob Cudworth, U.S. Army, Moosic, first vice-president; retired Col. Harold Cooney, U.S. Army, Carlisle, second vice-president; retired Col. Nancy Anderson, U.S. Marine Corps, Greensburg, secretary; retired Lt. Cmdr. Jack Whalen, U.S. Navy, Limerick, treasurer; and retired Col. Bill Harris, U.S. Army, Bethlehem, immediate past president.

MOAA actively works with state legislators to safeguard the benefits of the state's almost 1 million veterans, active military and their families and supports initiatives to increase awareness of the sacrifices made by those who served and are currently serving.For more information contact Col. Harris at wthiii3@rcn.com; (610) 217-3511.

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