Never Forget: Customers Bank Hosts Veterans Day Benefit with Keynote Speaker Marcus Luttrell
This Veterans Day, Customers Bank enlisted the help of the Berks County area business community to commemorate the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of the U.S. military, hosting a benefit in their honor. The luncheon event was held at the Crowne Plaza, Reading, and featured Marcus Luttrell, American war hero and author of Lone Survivor, as its keynote speaker. Over 540 guests attended the event, which raised over $100,000 for Keystone Wounded Warriors, an Eastern Pennsylvania based 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that seeks to honor the sacrifices of members of the U.S. military.
“We all owe so much to the men and women of the military,” said Dick Ehst, president and chief operating officer of Customers Bank. “Our veterans have fought for our freedom, and we hope that, by hosting this event and supporting Keystone Wounded Warriors, we are helping to provide them with the support they deserve.”
The event featured a first-person account of retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell’s mission in Afghanistan, during which all three of his Navy SEAL partners lost their lives. Only Luttrell survived the mission; his presentation was made as an offering to honor his fallen brothers. The luncheon also included presentations from Dick Ehst of Customers Bank and Paul Spurgin, director of Keystone Wounded Warriors. The event began with a presentation of colors by the Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps of Reading High School.
Photo:(left to right) Marcus Luttrell, author of "Lone Survivor," signs a copy of his book for Customers Bank Chairman and CEO, Jay Sidhu and President & COO, Richard Ehst at an event to support the Keystone Wounded Warriors held in Wyomissing.
About Customers Bancorp, Inc. and Customers Bank
Customers Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company in Wyomissing, Pa., engaged in banking and related businesses through its subsidiary, Customers Bank. Customers Bank is a community-based, full-service bank with assets of $6.5 billion. A member of the Federal Reserve System and deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), Customers Bank is an equal housing lender that provides a full range of banking services to small- and medium-sized businesses, professionals, individuals and families through offices in Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Committed to fostering customer loyalty, Customers Bank uses a High Tech/High Touch strategy that includes use of industry-leading technology to provide customers better access to their money, as well as a continually expanding portfolio of loans to small businesses, multi-family projects, mortgage companies and consumers. BankMobile, a division of Customers Bank, is a purely mobile banking platform scheduled to launch in 2014.
Customers Bancorp, Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol CUBI. Additional information about Customers Bancorp, Inc. can be found on the company's
website, www.customersbank.com.
About Marcus Luttrell:
Throughout his life, Marcus Luttrell has been many things – a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a best-selling author, the subject of a forthcoming Hollywood blockbuster, and a brave Navy SEAL. Throughout it all, there’s been one constant: his love for, and belief, in his country. Marcus Luttrell is an American patriot.
Born and raised in Texas, Marcus began training for the SEALs at age 14. He worked hard and achieved his dream. On June 28, 2005, Marcus and three fellow SEALs were sent to the mountains of Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush in Operation Red Wing with the mission of “killing or capturing” a high-ranking Taliban leader. During an intense gun battle with Taliban forces, all but one of the SEALs sent on that mission were killed. Marcus lived, though he sustained multiple gunshot wounds, survived a horrific fall, and had to walk and crawl seven miles while waiting several days for rescue. Returning home, Marcus was awarded the esteemed Navy Cross. For many, that would be the end of the story. For Marcus, it was just the beginning.
Since returning home, Marcus has been rebuilding his life with the help of his wife and children, honoring the sacrifice of his fallen brothers in his best-selling book Lone Survivor, consulting with director Peter Berg and star Mark Wahlberg on the film adaptation of his moving story, and supporting charities and foundations focused on helping returning veterans.
About Keystone Wounded Warriors:
Keystone Wounded Warriors is an Eastern Pennsylvania based 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that seeks to honor the daily sacrifices made by the brave men and women in all branches of the United States Military, but specifically those wounded on or after September 11, 2001.
Keystone Wounded Warriors aids wounded warriors by raising public awareness and seeking the public’s support for programs and services that assist wounded warriors. Funds donated to Keystone Wounded Warriors are used to support local post-9/11 veterans and their families located in, or with ties to, Pennsylvania. The remaining funds are donated to national post-9/11 wounded veterans organizations.
Our warriors do an inspiring job in the face of their disabilities and difficulties transitioning into civilian life through dedication and commitment. Keystone Wounded Warriors strives to ease the financial, physical and mental burdens on these heroes.
Richard Ehst, President & COO,
610-505-9190
rehst@customersbank.com
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