(Story and photos by Matt Drzik)

No token of gratitude can compare to that of sacrifice for friend, for neighbor, or for country, but the commemoration and honor towards one Beaver County hero who sacrificed it all will now be permanently emblazoned in Hookstown.

The Hookstown Post Office on Mill Street was officially dedicated in honor of Sgt. Dylan J. Elchin, who was killed in combat during a tour of duty in Afghanistan back in 2018. Since then, the Vanport Bridge and the Hookstown Post Office have been renamed in Elchin’s honor.

This renaming of the post office was authorized by the United States Congress, and Congressman Conor Lamb (who co-authored the measure) was on hand with Elchin’s family and community to honor the Purple Heart recipient.

“While Dylan is the one that made that choice, it is your family and this community that created him, inspired him to make a choice like that and raised him to be that kind of man,” Lamb said. “So what I think you deserve to hear from all of us today, but particularly from someone who represents your national government, is that we would not be the country that want to be or say we are without families like yours who are willing to raise children like Dylan.”

Also in attendance were Beaver County Commissioner Jack Manning, Air Force Colonel John Robinson, United States Postal Service district manager Kathy Hand, and representatives from the offices of Senators Bob Casey & Pat Toomey.

Photos from the unveiling can be seen below.