Republicans and community leaders speak about importance of faith

SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. — Elected officials and community leaders touted the importance of faith in daily life and governance during the NEPA Prayer Breakfast.

Elected Republican leaders, along with pastors, students, families, teachers and administrators from Summit Christian Academy gathered Wednesday for the breakfast, hosted by the South Abington Twp. school, at Best Western.

U.S. Reps. Rob Bresnahan, R-8, Dallas Twp., and Dan Meuser, R-9, Jackson Twp. acknowledged veterans and military members in their remarks. Bresnahan spoke about the bill he introduced that would authorize President Donald Trump to award the Medal of Honor to retired Air Force Col. Robert Graham, a native of Nuangola.

Graham, who lives in New England, was a captain when he flew a heavily damaged F-100 Super Sabre through monsoon conditions in Vietnam in 1966. He made more than 15 low-level attack passes under artillery fire, destroying eight enemy gun positions and neutralizing over 1,500 enemy troops, despite being grounded because his aircraft was badly damaged.

“His relentless determination saved hundreds of American lives and his actions throughout his career represented the very best of our military,” Bresnahan said. ...

Mike Butash, pastor of Grace Bible Church in Dunmore, said during his welcoming remarks it was “God’s perfect timing” McCormick, Meuser and Bresnahan could make it to the breakfast in the midst of votes to end the 43-day-long government shutdown.