Major Bellace, a Ridley native, presented a display of the flag, folded an framed with patches from the Air Mobility Command and the 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, and a certificate from the U.S. Air Force that depicts the major’s aircraft and a map of Afghanistan.
“Flying this flag on our aircraft is our way of thanking the Delaware County residents,” said Major Bellace. “Without their support, we couldn’t do what we do overseas. It means a lot when people send us letters and care packages when we are overseas.”
The framed flag and certificate will be displayed in the lobby of the Delaware County Government Center, near the Armed Services Tribute Board that displays photos of Delaware County servicemen and women, including a photo of Major Bellace.
Delaware County Council Vice Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr., an Air Force veteran, was joined by his fellow council members in accepting the commemorative flag and certificate from Major Bellace, whose photo was added to the Armed Services Tribute Board on Nov. 27, 2013, by his wife Cindy and two sons, Christian and Justin, when he departed for his third deployment to Afghanistan.
Once again on American soil, Major Bellace brought the framed flag and certificate to the Government Center where he was welcomed with a standing ovation.
Major Bellace is a graduate of Ridley High School and joined the U.S. Air Force on September 10, 2001, the day before the nation was attacked. During his latest deployment, he served as a Flight Nurse based at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where he cared for wounded warriors who were transported to Landstuhl Military Hospital in Germany.
His home squadron is the 514th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron located at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. When not on active duty, Major Bellace is a clinical manager on the Critical Care Transport Team at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and serves part-time on the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania’s PennSTAR helicopter team. He had also served as a past president of the Media Fire Company and Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, where he has been a member for over 25 years.
On January 25, Major Bellace was given a surprise hero’s welcome by the Warriors' Watch Riders at his favorite restaurant as well as a much deserved welcome home escort back to Media.
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