At the January meeting of the Emmitsburg
Council of Churches, Paul Harner was honored on
the occasion of his retirement as Council
president. He was presented with a watercolor
painting done by Linda Postelle of his childhood
home on East Main Street, next to the town
office. Paul lived there until he was 16 years
old, then moved to Pennsylvania where he
graduated from Gettysburg High School.
He received his aeronautical engineering
degree from the University of Maryland, his
Masters of Science degree in Administration from
George Washington University, and then attended
the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
After working for private aircraft industries
for seven years, he was employed by the
Department of Navy in its Naval Air System. He
worked there for 28 years and retired in 1991.
At that time he came home to his roots, and his
vacation cabin near Fairfield became his and Lil’s
full-time residence. His service as a member of
the Elias Lutheran Church’s Council brought
him to the meetings of the Emmitsburg Council of
Churches, and in 1992 he became the Council’s
president, where he has served for the past ten
years.
During Paul’s presidency the Council was
kept very active. It sponsored a refugee family
from Bosnia; and it held an Emmitsburg Children’s
Day with the help of other local businesses and
organizations. CROP WALK became an annual
project of the Council, raising large sums of
money for our local food bank and to alleviate
worldwide hunger. A Christmas Candlelight Tour
was enjoyed by many local citizens as well as
out-of-town visitors. A "Welcome to
Emmitsburg" booklet was published in 1995.
While Paul was president, the Council applied
for and received its tax-exempt status. During
his term the Council continued to provide
financial assistance to those in need from the
Emmitsburg area or its churches; it also held
community ecumenical services during Lent, for
Easter Sunrise, Thanksgiving Day, and
Baccalaureate for the graduating class at
Catoctin High School. The Council sponsors
Vacation Bible School for the children of the
Emmitsburg Community every summer, staffs the
SHARE program, and arranges for monthly
religious services at St. Catherine’s Nursing
Home.
Paul was also honored with a lovely plaque
from President George W. Bush recognizing his
service as president of the Emmitsburg Council
of Churches. This is the second President Bush
from whom Paul has received an award. In 1991,
three weeks before his retirement, Paul went to
the White House, was received by President
George Bush personally, and presented with the
"rank" of Distinguished Executive in
the Senior Executive Service (along with a
check).
On the plaque Paul received at the January
meeting, President George W. Bush wrote:
"One of our most important responsibilities
as citizens is our duty to give something back
to our communities and to make them better
places for everyone to live. By volunteering
your time and your talents, you demonstrate the
true character of the American people."
President Bush might have known Paul Harner
personally to make such an accurate statement
about him and his service to the Emmitsburg
community. Paul continues to serve as a member
on the Council as a delegate from Elias Lutheran
Church. Many thanks, Paul
.