Construction ‘Coalition’ Formed to Help Welcome American P.O.W. Home From Ordeal In Iraq

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 23, 2003: The feelings of Patriotism are overwhelming for many Americans during periods in history like the one we’re living through now.

Just as strong oftentimes are the feelings of helplessness – how much of a difference can just one person or one company make to help the overall cause?

When the mayor of Palestine, W.Va. made a few phone calls, the answer was loud and clear. Palestine is the hometown of Pfc. Jessica Lynch, the P.O.W. survivor and hero of the Iraqi war. Among the many preparations the mayor and the Lynch family are making for Jessica’s return is the construction of a circular driveway adjacent to their home.

The additional driveway access is needed to allow for health and rehabilitation vehicles to enter and exit the property safely and easily. The project involves filling in a large section of a creek that runs along the side yard. The pipe will connect the two sides of the new culvert to keep the driveway from flooding.

"This project is also creating a much larger yard for the Lynch family, besides the ease of access to the house," said Project Manager Paul Reese, a former employee of the West Virginia Department of Highways. "We’re filling in the deep trenches that border both sides of the house and giving them a lot of extra room on the property. The pipe will now be carrying the water."

Vince McComas of C.I. Thornburg got a call from the mayor of Palestine, wanting to know if he knew of someone that would donate the pipe for the project. McComas called Bob Taylor of Hancor and days later more than 300 feet of Hancor’s BLUE SEAL 48-inch corrugated high-density polyethylene pipe was delivered to the Lynch home. More information about BLUE SEAL and other Hancor products is available at www.hancor.com.

Several local and national companies are coming together to get the job done. C.I. Thornburg, a local piping systems distributor; United Welding, a local construction company; and Hancor, Inc., one of the nation’s largest suppliers of storm water management systems have donated their time, talents and products to the Lynch family.

"The family is so grateful and excited to have us do this," said Taylor. "It’s as if we’re walking up and giving them a million dollars. They’re so humble and appreciative."

"The best part of this whole situation is that a family will be reunited with their daughter. And after all she’s been through, it’s truly a miracle," said Hancor’s President and CEO, Steve Anderson. "We feel honored to have been asked to make this small contribution."

Hancor is one of the nation’s largest suppliers of storm water management systems and has been in business since 1887. The company is based in Findlay, OH and operates manufacturing facilities and service centers across the country.

Reese said increasing access to the house and expanding the Lynch family’s yard area are not the only improvements being made to the property. Contractors and construction workers are more than doubling the family’s living space by building an addition on to the house.

All the lumber, plumbing work, electrical upgrades, etc. are being donated by local and regional companies and individuals.

"Times are rough for a lot of people right now," Reese said. "I must have known a lot of the right people because so many of them are making such generous donations of their time and talent. We’re very fortunate to have all of them working on these projects."

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Tori Durliat, Hancor, Inc.
Marketing Communications Manager
401 Olive Street,
Findlay, Ohio 45840
Phone: 1-419-424-8275
Fax: 1-419-424-8302
E-mail: tdurliat@hancor.com