Banach brothers of wrestling fame to deliver inspirational speeches

PORT JERVIS — From childhood, each Banach brother protected the other, holding on tight and never letting go.
It seems natural that these boys from Port Jervis excelled in a physically, psychologically, and mentally intimate sport where the goal is to hold on tight during the chaos.
Lou Banach won a gold medal in wrestling in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. His twin brother, Ed, also won a gold medal in wrestling in the same Olympics. Their older brother, Steve, is a former University of Iowa wrestler who qualified for the 1984 Final Olympic Trials.
The journey of Steve and Lou Banach from family tragedy to the heights of the wrestling world was just the beginning.
"They have served our country with honor, dignity and selflessness," Charlene Trotter, executive director of the Tristate Chamber of Commerce, which is hosting the brothers at its spring banquet. "Throughout their lives in service and business, they have leveraged strength gained from each other, from within, from family, from communities and from God to become global leaders and mentors."
The 27th annual spring banquet, "An Evening with the Banach Brothers," will be held from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 4, at the Erie Trackside Manor in Port Jervis.
"You will hear Steve talk about optimism and Lou about our responsibility to guide the next generation," said Trotter.
The brothers will welcome guests during the cocktail hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and after the main event, providing guests the opportunity to talk with them and purchase their book "Uncommon Bonds," about the experiences of the three brothers. That they "could achieve so much, not just for themselves, but also for their country, is amazing," said Admiral William McRaven (Retired). "The idea that they achieved these things from such turbulent beginnings exemplifies that the American Dream is available to us all. The example set by these men and their parents is pure Americana. It would seem like a fable if it were not for the fact that it all really happened."