Hometown heroes honored in Greensburg

George Whipkey sat in the front row Saturday morning at St. Clair Park in Greensburg and watched as city leaders honored him and more than 90 hometown heroes.

But Whipkey, 81, a Marine Corps veteran and Southwest Greensburg police sergeant, wasn’t quite ready to acknowledge his place among the honorees.

“This isn’t about me,” Whipkey said. “It’s all about the first responders, about the military. I am so honored to be here.”

Whipkey was among honorees whose pictures will be hung from light poles throughout the city and into Southwest Greensburg as part of the two towns’ joint project to honor those whose duty to the country and their hometowns warrants recognition.

Saturday’s ceremony was the second in what officials say will be an annual event honoring military veterans, police, firefighters, doctors and other community members for their contributions to Greensburg and Southwest Greensburg.

Ashley Kertes, outgoing executive director of the Greensburg Community Development Corp., said the banners honoring the latest group of city contributors will join those hung last year on city light poles. New banners were on display Saturday along the fenceline at St. Clair Park.

“It’s important to show how many heroes we have here in the City of Greensburg,” Kertes said.

Banners installed for the initial round of honorees last year will remain in place for another year. Banners for this year’s hero class will join them throughout town and remain for the next two years.

Greensburg Mayor Bob Bell said there’s no shortage of folks to be honored.

“I think we’re going to end up with heroes on every pole in downtown. I know there is going to be more next year,” Bell said.

Whipkey’s story is unique but also similar to the others honored Saturday. He served in the Marine Corps from 1962 to 1967 in Vietnam, earning medals and commendations for his service.

When he returned home, Whipkey started a 30-year career as a police officer in Southwest Greensburg in addition to other jobs and volunteer work that included coordination for the Marine Corps Toys For Tots program in Westmoreland County.

Still, Whipkey doesn’t see himself as a hero.

“There are no live heroes. All the heroes are dead,” Whipkey said.

Nick Smith couldn’t be prouder to see his father, Carl, honored on Saturday. Carl Smith Sr., who died in December 2019 at 96, served as a combat engineer in the Army during World War II. He was injured at the Battle of the Bulge in 1945. Smith was born in Scottdale but made Greensburg his home after his service.

Smith’s son said he was anxious to see where his father’s banner will be hung.

“My father would like this a lot,” Smith said. “It means a lot. He just wanted to do his part where he lived. Most sons think the same way I do, to live like your father. These were a special, special group of people.”

Mark Seighman said his his father John’s service, first as a police officer then as a firefighter in Greensburg, is a family tradition. Mark Seighman followed his father in volunteering as a member of the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as a handler and trainer for the department’s bloodhound team.

“That’s where I got love for serving my community,” Seighman said.