County honors retired veteran, future cadet
An overwhelming sense of pride in the U.S. military was in the air at Wednesday morning's county commissioners meeting.
The commissioners issued two proclamations before settling down to conduct the business of the county.
One was for Marissa Lynn Slupe, the niece of Sheriff Mike Slupe, upon the occasion of her appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.
The other was to recognize the numerous military achievements of Zelienople resident Capt. Rex B. Cox, who retired from the Army National Guard and Pennsylvania Air National Guard.
In addition to the beaming families of the fresh-faced academy candidate and the medal-laden retiree, three officers from the Army, Navy and Marine Corps seated in the front row snapped to attention and remained motionless as John Cyprian, county Veterans Affairs director, read Cox's long proclamation.
Sheriff Slupe and other veterans also stood at attention in honor of Cox and his service.
Army Lt. Col. Jodie Snider led the commissioners and all those in attendance in a heartier-than-usual Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the meeting.
“It's great to have so many distinguished guests,” said Leslie Osche, commissioners chairwoman.
Cyprian listed numerous highlights of Cox's military career, which began in 1969 when he enlisted in the National Guard.
There, he served as a medic until being commissioned as an officer.
In the Army Reserves, Cox held positions from platoon leader to commander.
Toward the end of his military career, Cox transferred to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, where he served in medical positions and supervisory capacities too numerous to list.
Cox also deployed to a humanitarian mission to the African nation of Ghana, and to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom while in the National Guard.
Cyprian, in reading the proclamation, listed 20 medals Cox has received over the course of his long military career.
A long round of applause erupted after the proclamation, which recognized Cox for his “exemplary military and civilian service.”
Cox saluted Cyprian as the latter handed over the proclamation to Cox and his family.
Sheriff Slupe read the commissioners' proclamation honoring his niece for her “academic and athletic excellence as well as her selfless volunteerism in her local community and abroad.”
Marissa, the daughter of Mark and Amanda Slupe of Butler Township, is a senior at Portersville Christian School.
Her uncle listed her numerous accomplishments, including serving as president of her school's student council since her sophomore year, captain of her school's volleyball and basketball teams, volunteering with the annual Miss 22 Quties special needs beauty pageant, going on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic and a host of other volunteer projects.
The proclamation included Marissa's desire to “dedicate her talents and leadership in service to our country” in regard to her application to the Air Force Academy.
Air Force Lt. Col. Richard Conwell, who works as a liaison with the academy in recommending students from Western Pennsylvania, said he has worked with Marissa for six months.
Conwell said he believes that a county proclamation helped increase her chances of being one of just 1,400 seniors out of the 25,000 across the United States who apply to get an offer from the academy.
“She's a good student, she has a good attitude and she has the correct focus on wanting to go to the Air Force Academy to serve her nation,” Conwell said.
The commissioners thanked Cox and all the servicemen who attended the meeting individually for their service, and posed for pictures with Marissa Slupe and her family.
