Community Corner

Council Rock North Graduate Killed in Afghanistan

The Department of Defense confirmed the sergeant's death in a release Monday. There will be a candlelight vigil Friday at 8 p.m. at the Dembowski Memorial Park in Richboro.

Sergeant First Class Kenneth B. Elwell, 33, of Northampton Township, died on duty in Afghanistan on July 17, according to a release by the Department of Defense.

Elwell is a Council Rock High School North class of 1997 graduate.

Elwell, along with Private First Class Tyler M. Springman, 19, of Hartland, Maine, were serving in the Kandahar province when "enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device," the release said.

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Both were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division of Fort Wainwright, Alaska. They were participating in Operation Enduring Freedom at the time of attack, the release said.

Northampton Township Veteran's Advisory Committee Vice Chairman Pete Palestina said the committee was not aware of Elwell's service overseas, so he does not have a flag in the township's Administration Building like other Northampton residents serving abroad.

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The veteran's committee will hold a private ceremony to place a flag for Elwell in the Administration Building Friday evening. Immediately following, at 8 p.m., there will be a candlelight vigil at the Robert H. Dembowski Jr. Memorial Park in Richboro. 

The community is invited to attend and show support for Elwell's family and friends. 

Local funeral services have not yet been arranged, but the serviceman will be officially buried in Arlington National Cemetary in Washington, D.C. 

Patch will continue to post updates as the information is available.


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