Lehigh Valley Officer to Sing for Phillies Sept. 11

On the wall in the office of , police officer hangs a cherished piece of memorabilia.

It's his ticket stub and a rally towel from Game 3 of the 2008 World Series he attended at Citizens Bank Park watching his beloved .

On Sept. 11, though, the 38-year-old Kranich might be able to top that Phillies memory.

The team has invited Kranich to sing a patriotic song at the Phillies Sept. 11 game against the Miami Marlins -- the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks against America.

For Kranich, a Forks Township native who has been on the force since 2007, it's a dream come true.

After all, this isn't someone who has a normal law enforcement background.

Kranich holds a bachelor’s degree in voice performance from Ithaca College in New York state, has been singing since childhood and regularly performs with the Palisades Community Chorus in Bucks County.

He has sung professionally with such groups as The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and has soloed for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. His wife, Rebecka, also a member of Palisades, is a music teacher in the Bangor Area School District.

And he has participated in singing at Forks Christmas tree lighting events for the Forks Kiwanis Club.

"He has a beautiful voice," Forks Public Works Director  said.

It's one thing to sing at a tree lighting; it's another to sing before more than 40,000 fans.

"You get nerves, but you deal with it," Kranich said. "I hope to do a good job."

Kranich last year sent audio tapes of himself singing “God Bless America” to the team. The team responded last August, asking him if he'd like to sing during a post-season game, but the Phillies were eliminated in playoff contention. He thought it might have been a World Series game.

Since he received a call from the Phillies a few weeks ago, Kranich, a baritone, has practiced "God Bless America" every day, although there is still an outside chance he could be chosen to perform the national anthem.

Singing on Sept. 11 is even more meaningful, Kranich said.

"Obviously, I want to represent law enforcement well," said Kranich, who was a police officer in Pittsburgh during the Sept. 11 attacks. "It's a huge honor for me."

Kranich tries not to sing too much around the police department. But he said his colleagues are proud of him.

Police Chief Greg Dorney agrees.

"I encourage all residents to attend. Get tickets," Dorney said. "I'm proud he was chosen.