PHOTOS
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Brave individuals put themselves into danger in order to protect American citizens and our country on a daily basis, yet rarely receive the recognition and gratitude for their sacrifices that they deserve. In an effort to express appreciation for all that these modern-day heroes do, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is offering a 50% discounted admission to service men and women and their immediate family members during Heroes of the Realm weekend, September 19 and 20, when they present their valid service identification (i.e. ID cards, badges, etc.).

Earlier this year, the Faire hosted the Heroes Recognition Contest, which will culminate in a special ceremony during Heroes of the Realm weekend. Family members and friends were invited to nominate the everyday hero in their lives for personal sacrifice, significant impact on others’ lives, loss of life in the call of duty or other acts of heroism. Forty-five entries were received from which six individuals were selected by Faire staff, three to attend Saturday, September 19, and three to attend Sunday, September 20. Each hero will be recognized by
Her Majesty during the last show of the day, Finale In Song. Their heroic tales will be retold and they will receive a personalized engraved sword and certificate of recognition.

Barbara Straub of Ebensburg, PA, was nominated by her fiancé. When they met, Barbara was a single mom serving as a specialist in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Last year, Barbara gave birth to their son and, not one week later, signed a new contract with her unit. She is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, a mother being separated from her children, for the country that she loves so dear. When Barbara and her fiancé talk about what will happen if she deploys, Barbara always responds, "I will do what I have to and come home to my children." Barbara is going on 8 years of service and will continue until the Guard no longer allows her to.

Trooper Bernard Walasavage of York, PA, was nominated by his wife and family who, in their entry, wrote, about an incident that took place Easter Sunday of 2003. Bernard got in to a high speed chase with a suspect wanted in an Amber Alert for abducting a 12-year-old girl and murdering her parents. After stopping the suspect, Bernard successfully negotiated with the man for three hours to release the kidnapped girl unharmed, and to surrender. Bernard continues to fight "the bad guys" to this day.

James Heslop III of Mount Joy, PA, was nominated by his wife. He is a member of the PA Air National Guard and recently returned home from his fourth tour in the Middle East. While he was in Afghanistan, James noticed wounded soldiers, awarded the Purple Heart for their sacrifices, being sent home in paper hospital gowns. Normally, wounded soldiers are sent home in sweatpants but the hospital did not have enough. James felt this was very degrading and took it upon himself to email everyone he could asking them to send him sweatpants
instead of care packages because, “There are some soldiers over here that need items more than I do.”

Officer David D. Tome, who was nominated by his wife, was a Police Officer with Northern York County Regional Police Department in York, PA. David was killed in the line of duty October 21, 2008 when he was struck by a car while reconstructing a fatal accident. David loved his job along with protecting and serving his community. He was a committed officer who was always willing to help no matter what the circumstances and would never let a fellow officer or citizen down. In her essay, his wife wrote, “Not only is he a hero to the community, but his unending love, joy and strength he provided to his family will always be an act of heroism and gives us strength to face each day. I pray that our 5 year old son and 2 year old daughter will always realize how much of a hero their daddy is.”

Since 1976, Dawn Crouse of Cape May Court House, NJ, a single mother nominated by her daughter, has served her country first as active duty Army and later as a member of the New Jersey National Guard. As a Guard member, Dawn has rescued the stranded in flood, hurricane, and blizzard; rebuilt communities in Honduras; delivered supplies and food to refugees from Kosovo; and delivered water and supplies to those
volunteering in the Hurricane Katrina and the September 11th clean-up efforts. In her essay, her daughter wrote, “A friend of my mother's told me my mother was a hero because she saved his ‘sorry behind’ when he tried to drive through a flooded street. But her true heroism is her willingness to sacrifice everything for people she never met."

The Serve and Protect Discount is available to all members of the active military, military reservists, retired military, members of veteran organizations, police officers, professional or volunteer fire fighters, EMTs and their families. The discount is available only at the front gate of the festival with proper ID.

The Faire is located on the Royal grounds of Mount Hope Estate and Winery, Lancaster County, Rt. 72, ½ mile South of PA Turnpike Exit 266. Visit www.parenfaire.com for more information regarding the Faire and special savings discounts.

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In appreciation for all that everyday heroes do for their communities, Queen Elizabeth and the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire are offering all members of the active military, military reservists, retired military, members of veteran organizations, police officers, professional volunteer firefighters, EMTs and their immediate family members 50% discounted admission to Heroes of teh Realm weekend, September 19 and 20.

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Fancy yourself a King Arthur or Prince Charming who can face storybook's perils and rescue the "damsel" in distress? Find out by traversing the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire's Obstacle Course of Certain Doom, defeating the villain and winning wondrous prizes during the Damsel-In-Distress Steeplechase competition scheduled for Heroes of the Realm weekend, September 19 and 20.

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It's never too early, or late, to learn the ways of Chivalry and Heroism at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire's Heroes of the Realm Knighting Ceremony. All children are invited to learn the Code of Honor followed by Elizabethan knights prior to the Queen giving a special commendation to all modern day knights and heroes in attendance. This is just one of the many participatory events presented during the Heroes of the Realm weekend, September 19 and 20, that are tailored to honor those who serve and protect.

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