Attendees of a Nov. 7, 2025 flag raising ceremony in recognition of Veterans Month in Montgomery County are pictured as the American flag is raised. (Rachel Ravina – MediaNews Group)
Representatives of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard on Friday raised the American flag in recognition of Veterans Month.
Elected officials at the local, state and federal level joined veterans in uniform outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown to witness the flag raising that sought to pay tribute to those who’ve served their country.
“We need to thank our veterans every day of every month of every year. They took the ultimate sacrifice for all of us,” said Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello.
Proceedings included musical performances from bugler Ray Richards, the Pottsgrove High School Falcon Marching Band and Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Garrett D. Page. Officials also shared prepared remarks and issued a formal proclamation declaring November as Veterans Month. Veterans Day is observed on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
U.S. Census Bureau figures revealed around 31,677 veterans live in Montgomery County. The local Veterans Services office receives around 1,700 claims each year pertaining to benefits and resources, according to Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairman Neil Makhija, as personnel seek to “connect veterans to services they need to succeed.”
The experience was a rewarding one for Judge Cheryl L. Austin, a senior judge in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas and a retired U.S. Navy captain. Austin served 24 years in the naval forces and emphasized the importance of honoring those in uniform.
“Please continue showing up and supporting veterans because it means so much,” Austin said.
The event culminated with the ceremonial flag raising where the American flag was hoisted up the flag pole to half-staff.
Our flag is a symbol of freedom, and raising it today is a symbol of [the] promise we will make and continue to make for our veterans to stand by them, not just on Veterans Day or Veterans Month, but 365 days a year,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder.
