Lycoming County Brotherhood Alliance celebrates community spirit at annual banquet and awards ceremony
Trending
Community spirit and gratitude were on display Wednesday night as the Lycoming County Brotherhood Alliance held their annual banquet and awards ceremony.
The Brotherhood accepts nominations for individuals who have worked tirelessly in both their professional and personal lives for the betterment of their communities and the people within them.
Keynote speaker Earl Granville kicked off the celebration, recounting an incredible journey of resilience and defying the odds.
Granville served nine years in the Army National Guard, joining, along with his brother, Joe, just days before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Both were assigned to the 109th Infantry.
"I joined for the free education. Basically, I made it about me -- what can I get out of this," he said, admitting that his service was not initially selfless.
But a volunteer mission to Iraq in 2004 changed his perspective.
"I realized the big picture of wearing this uniform. It's not about me. It's about being part of something bigger than yourself," he said.
On June 3, 2008, Granville's convoy hit a road-side bomb, gravely injuring him and resulting in the amputation of his left leg. Just two years later, his brother would take his own life, leaving Granville to ask why he got a second chance at life while his brother's had ended.
Initially despondent, Granville resigned from college.
"All I did was play the victim, feeling sorry for myself, thinking the world owes me everything," he said. "Where does that get you in life? Nowhere here."
Through a chance encounter with Operation Enduring Warrior, Granville again found purpose through physical fitness and becoming part of a community that helps people with disabilities.
"As individuals, there's three P's that we all need in our lives to be fulfilled," he said.
"You must have a purpose. What do you wake up for every day to give to the world? You must have a passion. What do you wake up for every day, for yourself? And you must be part of something bigger than yourselves."
Granville also encourages people to step out of their comfort zone.
"You must take a leap out because if you stay stagnant, you're never going to find what you're looking for. You will fail once in a while, it's going to happen, but what we can learn from failure is growth, and community. Representing and recognizing the people in your community and all the good work they do, coming together for fellowship and a gathering, the power of what community can do."
Paramount is doing all things with a positive perspective, Granville told the crowd.
"Let's be real -- a negative attitude is going to get you nowhere in life. Get out there and be positive and filter out all the negatives in your life," he said.
Next up, Tim Smith and Karen Young were the recipients of the William Pickelner Brotherhood Award.
"For over 25 years, I've just been an average guy committed to working hard on the job and servicing our local community in numerous capacities," Smith said in accepting his award. "This, coupled with genuine care and desire for impact, is my strongest asset, and I appreciate the many others I partner with who share that same desire for our community."
"Community involvement is about the power to bring positive, measurable change in the communities in which we work and live in," Young said, echoing Smith's sentiment. "Volunteering has given me a sense of belonging, a feeling of fulfillment, and a satisfaction of being able to give back to my community," he added.
"To be successful in your life, it doesn't have to do with money or prestige. It has to do with who you surround yourself with," said Dr. David G. Bower II, Ph.D., recipient of this year's Ray Keyes Sports Award.
Alongside his sport's accomplishments, Bower is responsible for the implementation of the GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing) support group at West Branch Drug and Alcohol.
"Those people in that group, the ones who've been there over time, have started to deal with it and they reach out to help. It's an amazing group of people, just an unbelievable group of people," he said.
For the fourth year, the alliance honored four members of the community with the Unsung Hero Award.
Unsung Hero recipients are those who "would normally not be recognized nor would expect to be recognized, who aren't working or serving in an executive position of a business, organization or service club that serves others," a press release from the alliance explained.
This year's recipients are Stacey Feinberg, Dayl (Doc) McClintock, Greg "Mr. Greg" Ousley Sr. and Edward Souter Sr.
"We are all so impressed how you aided this community, not just through your professional life, but in your personal lives as well," alliance president Lee Miller said at the close of the ceremony.
"We have such amazing recipients, and I promise you one thing: Whatever they were up here being awarded for tonight, they'll be back at it tomorrow morning," Miller said.