Cross for Valor
Staff Sgt. Kyle T. Beveridge, Pine Grove, a member of the 3rd Battalion 166th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, was awarded the Pennsylvania Cross for Valor for his meritorious service to the commonwealth on Sept. 7, 2011, in responding to flooding in Pine Grove as a result of Tropical Storm Lee.
Beveridge, assisted a fellow PA National Guardsman, Staff Sgt. Jamey M. Yur-konis, Pine Grove, in evacuating stranded residents in conditions that were determined to be too dangerous by first responders. Beveridge and Yurkonis made numerous trips rescuing adults, children and elderly residents using a kayak and a boat until the current made it too difficult to control. They then resorted to physically carrying residents to more shallow water where first responders were waiting.
As a result of his selfless service, Beveridge was able to evacuate nearly 50 residents and numerous family pets in a nine-hour period.
A 1996 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, Beveridge is a son of Thomas and Suzanne Beveridge, Palo Alto.