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Patriotism fills the streets during Roanoke's celebration of freedom

FBI special agent Drew Northern addresses the crowd that filled an entire block of Roanoke’s Main Street for the “Freedom on Main” celebration Friday, July 3.
FBI special agent Drew Northern addresses the crowd that filled an entire block of Roanoke’s Main Street for the “Freedom on Main” celebration Friday, July 3. Photo by Cindy Klepper.

Roanoke resident Michelle Schwartz Schwieterman and her family received special recognition during the "Freedom on Main" celebration held Friday, July 3, in downtown Roanoke.

Each year, a veteran is singled out for special honors during the event, which features a "patriotic pops" performance by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra.
Schwieterman is one of nine siblings, eight of whom have served or are serving in the military.

Schwieterman served as an intelligence analyst with the 8th Infantry Division of the United States Army in Germany during the first Gulf War. In Roanoke, she has served as a member of the town council and as president of the Chamber of Commerce.

A brother, retired Lt. Col. Tom Schwartz, served as an Army Ranger. Now a civilian contractor, he is currently in Afghanistan to help locate incendiary explosive devices.

Another brother, First Sgt. Jim Schwartz, is currently preparing to deploy to Afghanistan with the 75th Ranger Regiment. He has served four of the last seven years in war zones and has been awarded two Bronze Stars.

Additional siblings who have served in the military include Marilyn Schwartz Tracy, Mary Schwartz Love and Maureen Schwartz Maine, all United States Air Force; Steve Schwartz, United States Army; and Martha Schwartz, United States Navy.

Ralph Hine, previously selected as an honored veteran, was in the audience for the event and was singled out in honor of his upcoming birthday - he'll turn 101 in August.

Hine, of Roanoke, served as a glider pilot during World War II, joining the Army Air Corps at age 34. Hine fought in seven countries during World War II and was awarded two Purple Hearts for wounds he suffered on Sept. 17 and Oct. 8, 1944.

Drew Northern, chief division counsel in the FBI's Indianapolis division, presented remarks on patriotism during the evening. Northern is a United States Navy veteran and has been a special agent with the FBI since 1997. He was coordinator of the FBI Major Crimes Task Force in Baghdad.