Veterans Day 2014

For everything you have done for our country...

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2 • Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014

Veterans Day is an annual holiday when veterans of the armed forces are honored and celebrated in the United States. Many people confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day. While both days honor members of the armed forces, there's a distinction between the two holidays. Memorial Day, which is celebrated in May, is a day designated for remembering servicemen and servicewomen who died while serving. Veterans Day, which is observed in November, honors all military veterans.

The role of the brave men and women who serve in the military is an important one, and it's one that warrants appreciation and celebration. The following are a few easy ways to celebrate veterans and their significant contribution to our country this Veterans Day. * Offer your thanks.

Serving in the military can feel like a thankless job, as those who have not served might not be aware of the risks men and women in the military take and the sacrifices they must make to protect our country and help the less fortunate across the globe.

As a result, something as simple as saying "Thank you" to a current service member or military veteran can go a long way. Veterans know they don't serve in vain, but it's still a great idea to let them know how much you appreciate their efforts and sacrifices. * Help families of active military. Many service members are currently stationed and serving overseas, and their families back home may need or just appreciate a helping hand.

Invite family members of active military over for dinner, offer to do chores like cutting the grass or shoveling the driveway when it snows or help around the house if something needs fixing. Even if families of active members serving overseas appear to be getting along great, offer your friendship and let them know you're there to help should anything arise. * Visit hospitalized veterans. Unfortunately, many veterans are hospitalized after suffering an injury during a tour of duty. These veterans sacrificed their physical well-being to protect our way of life, and many spend extended periods of time in the hospital. Visiting a hospital to get to know a veteran and spend some time with him or her, sharing a few laughs and thanking them for their service, is a great way to celebrate the holiday and lift a veteran's spirits at the same time. Recruit friends and family members to visit hospitalized veterans as well. * Pay for a veteran's night out on the town.

Like many people, veterans appreciate an escape from the daily grind. Men and women who want to show their appreciation to veterans can treat a veteran to a night out on the town. Have extra tickets to a ballgame or play? Donate them to a local VFW. Or if you see a veteran out on the town, offer to pay for his meal. * Thank businesses who support veterans. Many businesses show their gratitude to veterans by offering them free services on Veterans Day. When a local business shows its appreciation to veterans, patronize that business and let them know you appreciate their efforts to help.

Did you know?

The origins of Veterans Day can be traced to the ending of World War I nearly a century ago. Known at the time as "The Great War," World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919 with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in France. But the fighting had actually ended seven months earlier when an armistice between the Allies and Germany went into effect on November 11, 1918. The following November United States President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 "Armistice Day" in honor of the cessation of the hostilities, and the day became a federal holiday in 1938. That act was amended in 1954 after veterans service organizations, in recognition of the efforts of soldiers who fought in World War II, asked that the day be renamed "Veterans Day" so it honored all soldiers and not just those who fought in World War I.

Remembrance: Local men lost, never forgotten

By AMANDA NICHOLS Era Reporter a.nichols@bradfordera.com The local area has lost many brave souls in service to the country throughout America’s history, but they continue on in the hearts, minds and very lives of those who live here today enjoying the freedom purchased by their sacrifice.

At least four servicemen from the region have been killed in the past decade of conflicts in the Middle East — Kane-native Staff Sgt. Ken VanGiesen, Bradfordnative Master Sgt. Thomas Maholic, Eldred-native U.S. Army Lt. Col. Richard Berrettini and Coudersportnative U.S. Army Specialist, Michael Franklin, 22.

A few of those who knew these men best took the time recently to tell The Era a little bit about them to help us keep their memory alive.

Staff Sgt. Ken VanGiesen, 30, of Kane, died July 18, 2011 as the result of injuries sustained while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

VanGiesen initially joined the Army National Guard as a technical mechanic and ended up serving four tours in 12 years, having served in Germany, twice in Iraq and later in Afghanistan.

He served 1,400 mobilized days in overseas deployment, being one of only 16 Pennsylvania National Guardsmen at the time of his death serving that level of active duty.

His mother, Susan VanGiesen, also of Kane, told The Era that she and the rest of his family remain very proud of what he did — though that doesn’t make missing him any easier. She said those who loved him find solace in the fact that he died doing what he believed in.

“He was doing what he wanted to do and what he loved doing, and he was very good at what he did.

From the time he was a toddler, he just wanted to be an Army like his dad,” VanGiesen said. “Ours is a strong military family, so he grew up with it and he knew what he was getting into.”

She said three of VanGiesen’s tours were volunteer, that he wanted to go be part of the effort in service to the country he loved.

“It wasn’t something he was forced into, he felt strongly about it,” Susan VanGiesen said. “We had three kids and we are proud of all three. We always tried to teach the kids when they were young: if you start something, you have to finish it, you don’t quit in the middle. And do your best, we felt that was important and tried to instill follow through with the job.”

Ken VanGiesen clearly picked up the lesson. He was known for his determination and for seeing a job through to the end — no matter how tough.

His grandfather, Rowland Proashas of Kane, a U.S. Navy man like VanGiesen’s father, Thomas, and older brother, Matt, said he couldn’t have had a better grandson and he misses him

Staff Sgt. Ken VanGiesen, of Kane constantly.

“I remember him in a lot of ways. We got along good, you couldn’t have wanted a better relationship,” Proashas said. “He was always out here helping me work on vehicles — he was willing to do everything, a very hard worker.

He was cautious and always did neat work. He never tried to hurry something up and make a mess of it, he tried to do it right. But, he worked fast and worked hard.

“I imagine he did a very good job in his Army career when he was overseas. If he could do something, he would do it. In everything he did, he was very dedicated and he was well liked,” Proashas continued, noting that VanGiesen upheld the family’s military legacy with honor.

He said he had two brothers in the service and a father who was in World War I. “He did us all proud,” Proashas said. “He was very brave. Anything that would benefit the country, he’d do it. I miss him every day, I think of him all the time.

He’s one of the greatest.

“I wish he was still here, but he isn’t and there’s no bringing him back.”

Despite their loss, members of VanGiesen’s family remain proponents of military life.

“We still believe in and encourage people to join the military,” his mother said.

“Our country depends on people like that. That’s how we have and retain our freedom, through people who are dedicated and willing to do these things.

“Yes, we lost our son but we gained so much for it, and it’s something we all have to do,” she stated.

Susan VanGiesen said the Lions Club in Kane renamed a $500 scholarship they give to Kane students enrolled in the military upon graduated as the SSG Ken VanGiesen Patriot Award.

“It helps others and keeps his memory alive as well,” she explained.

Bradford-native Master Sgt. Thomas Maholic, 38, Special Forces team sergeant, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., was killed in action in June of 2006 in the Kandahar Province in Afghanistan, where he was fatally struck by enemy small arms fire during a cordon and search mission.

Maholic was survived by his wife, Wendy, and son, Andrew, of Fort Bragg. His mother, Dorothy Maholic of Bradford, remembers him a a “very patriotic man” and

Master Sgt. Thomas Maholic of Bradford someone who “was always very special.”

“He marched to a different drummer than the rest of them did,” she said of her son as he was growing up.

“He was a cute redhead, he knew that made him different and he liked it.”

“As a child he was always into something,” Dorothy Maholic. “He swam for four years in high school, he loved to swim and he did triathalons in the service.”

Maholic said her son enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 1986 — the day he turned 18 while he was still in high school. He ended up serving for 20 years and had been a special forces soldier for nearly 12 years when he died. Maholic was a team leader when he went to Afghanistan.

“He believed in exactly what he was doing. He worked really hard, and he was very active. He really wanted to be a soldier and he became a fine soldier,” Dorothy Maholic said. “He just did so much, got all kinds of badges and honors, his list goes on and on.”

Maholic even managed to earn a college degree while serving, she said.

“We miss him every day,” Maholic said. “He has been honored so many times in so many ways by so many people — sometimes I think I can’t believe it was my son that did all this. He really was a dedicated solider. I’m not sure how he became that dedicated of a solider but he was very serious about the things he did.”

She said the family does all they can to keep him part of their daily lives since his passing.

“We’ve kept our talk about him very active so he seems like part of the family all the time,” Maholic explained. “He’s looking down from someplace and keeping his eye on us. We all expected him to come back, but he didn’t so we try to keep his memory alive.

“He was special. I honestly hope nobody else has to go through it,” she continued. “That’s my prayer when I think of other mothers who send their boys off.”

Army Lt. Col. Richard Berrettini, 52, from Eldred, died in Texas on Jan. 11, 2008 from injuries he suffered in Afghanistan during an attack nine days earlier which also killed an interpreter and South Carolina National Guard Sgt. Shawn Hill, 37.

Berrettini had been scheduled to return home just weeks later after a year

Army Lt. Col. Richard Berrettini of Eldred

Army Specialist Michael Franklin of Coudersport

in Afghanistan. He joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1984 and was a former active duty sailor.

A nurse practitioner, Berrettini had volunteered to serve in Afghanistan.

In civilian life, he was a Port Allegany High School nurse for seven years and an elementary school nurse for seven years prior. He left behind his wife, Jane, and sons, Vincent and Christopher, both servicemen themselves.

Vincent Berrettini, 33, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot now working as a teacher in Port Allegany, said he remembers the day he learned of his father’s injury vividly. His brother, Christopher, 29, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., got out of active Army in August.

“I was deployed in that part of the world when I heard,” he said. “They rushed me home on emergency leave and, fortunately, I was able to see him and talk to him for a few days (before he died). After that all happened, I thought it was probably best to get out of active duty.”

Berrettini said it was very characteristic of his dad to drop what he was doing to selflessly help others.

“He was always a really caring person, and he was just the kind of guy that would go out of his way to help other people,” he explained. “I think that’s what originally got him into his career as a nurse and in the Army Guard he was a medic. That’s what led to his deployment to Afghanistan

in 2007.

“While over there, just the way he was, he was putting other people before himself,” Berrettini continued. “As a combat medic, it’s one of those things where you’re always in harm’s way, but having to put that out of mind and care for those injured.”

He understood that mindset as well and said the danger is something you don’t think about when someone else needs you — “you just go do it.”

“From what I understand, he was really eager to go on that deployment and do something that he thought would make a difference,” Berrettini said of his father.

“He was fairly old for a serviceman, but it was something he felt he needed to do and he did it. You go thinking everything’s going to be okay, but sometimes it’s not.”

Coudersport-native U.S. Army Specialist, Michael Franklin, 22, of Coudersport, was killed March 7, 2005, when a car bomb detonated near his checkpoint in Ramadi, Iraq. He was based as Camp Howze, Korea, Unit 44th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

The Mike Franklin Bridge on U.S. Route 6 over the Allegheny River at Coudersport opened on Aug. 29, 2008.

He left behind his mother, Tina Franklin of Ulysses, and likely many other friends and family, but no one was able to be reached for an interview.

Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014 • 3

American Legion posts more than just bars

By ALEX DAVIS Era Reporter a.davis@bradfordera.com When one thinks about the American Legion, what comes to mind?

For at least some people, the image is of older men hanging around the bar, reminiscing about the war days.

But, Commander Kevin Kost of American Legion Post #574 of Mount Jewett said that couldn’t be further from the truth.

And, it’s a stereotype that area officials want to erase, as they hope to grow their numbers in the organizations.

Touted as America’s largest supporter of veterans, The American Legion was formed from an act of Congress in 1919. The post is open to those who have served as far back as 1917 to present.

In Mount Jewett, the ClevelandJohnson Post #574 is in the middle of its 2015 membership drive, recruiting by word of mouth.

Currently, the organization is made up of mostly older people. In fact, Kost, 39, said he is one of the youngest members of that post. He served as a Phoenix Raven, U.S. Air Force Security Forces.

Kost said he’d like more young people to get involved. That could be accomplished by the local American Legion having a presence at parades and by conducting funeral details.

The American Legion stands up for veterans’ rights, Kost said.

“They do a good job at it,” he said.

Over the years, The American Legion has brought substantial improvements for veterans, families and communities — one of those being the modern VA. Cleveland-Johnson Post #574 has much to offer, Kost said. It offers a dining room for public use, a rental hall, and it has put in a baseball field.

In addition, it hosts a baseball team.

And the building is the only bar in Mount Jewett, Kost said.

The local Legion also gives thousands of dollars to organizations in the area, including the Mount Jewett ambulance.

Another post is seeing a similar position — young people aren’t joining.

At one point, James Uber American Legion Post #489 of Ludlow indicated the Post had 130-something members.

Today, there are just 42, said adjutant Raymond Ferguson.

Ferguson said young people do not want to put down the money.

“But as kids they don’t want to be bothered,” he said. They’ll likely become members when they turn age 40, 45, Ferguson added.

And when people decide to join the Legion, they do so mostly for the medical benefits, Ferguson said.

“That’s what everybody’s after,” Ferguson said.

Members receive discounts on products and services and financial and insurance services, among other benefits. The American Legion also focuses on veterans affairs and rehabilitation, children and youth and other aspects.

The James Uber American Legion Post #489 has increased its ranks by one member this year. Its members have served in World War II, the Vietnam War and other conflicts.

That post has no facility, so members meet elsewhere in the area.

Other local American Legion Post officials did not immediately return calls to be included in this story.

Mike Glesk, a Port Allegany native, served his country well.

Glesk recalls how Vietnam changed country — and him

By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER Era Associate Editor marcie@bradfordera.com Mike Glesk is a man with ambition, known far and wide for getting things done.

It should come as no surprise to those who know the Port Allegany native that he was one of the early U.S. Naval officers scouting locations for bases and air strips in 1966 in a place on the other side of the world — Vietnam. And when his service was over, he became a Vietnam war protester, disagreeing with the track the war had taken.

Glesk graduated from Duke University and went to officer candidate school for the U.S. Navy. “I was commissioned, ironically, on the day (President John F.) Kennedy was killed, Nov. 22, 1963.”

After training in California, he was posted to a Naval Construction Battalion — the Seabees, which are connected to the Marine Corps. He went through Marine Corps advanced combat training called SERE — survival, evasion, resistance and escape.

“Our SERE training was very intense,” he said. “The idea was to put you through this training so you could survive anything. It was survival. One of my men lost 50 pounds during training. It was very intense exercise.

“It was nothing compared to Vietnam.”

He explained at the age of 23, he was flown to Vietnam and spent a couple of weeks there in Saigon and Da Nang.

“You hitchhike every place you go.” Rather than having his own form of transportation, he would hitch a ride on planes, helicopters or trucks to get places within the country.

One of his early memories of Vietnam was catching a “body flight.”

“There was a pilot, co-pilot, me and one other guy,” Glesk said. “And the bodies of 30 young men” who had been killed in action. It served as a wakeup call to the horrors of war.

The rest of his regiment arrived in Vietnam about a month later. And rather than being in charge of the 150 men in his regiment, Glesk — who had more in-country experience than the others — was transferred. “I became a liaison officer with the special forces in the Marine Corps,” he said, adding he spent six or eight months in that capacity, flying in and out of Khe Sahn to check on projects.

“Khe Sahn was on the top of a mountain, very isolated,” he said. The airstrip was slanted, with the jungle on one end and a cliff on the other. “You landed going uphill and took off going downhill — and dropped off the end of a cliff.

“It was sort of an adventure.”

One of the other places he spent time was Lang Vei, a special forces outpost overlooking the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

“Everything was underground so we weren’t so exposed. It was chickens, pigs, everything running around. It was hard to resupply.

“It was not clean living. The rats ... you slept in hammocks because of the bugs. You didn’t want to leave your hands or any part of your body hanging out at night because of the rats and the bugs running around.”

Glesk added, “Most of my time in Vietnam was spent ferrying in and out of places like that. It was very intense.”

He talked about how the war changed in the time he was there. When he went to Vietnam, it was to build infrastructure — roads, bases, air strips — and to work with the rural villages in a “hearts and minds” campaign, setting up water systems and making life better for them.

“Within a couple of months in Da Nang it became too unsafe,” Glesk said. “The war was changing from the Vietcong being the enemy to the North Vietnamese moving down the Ho Chi Minh Trail to the I Corps. The dynamic of the war had changed.”

When Glesk was sent to Vietnam, there were about 50,000 to 100,000 troops there. When he left, there were 500,000.

He came home before the public perception had started to turn. “It was very much a ‘local son comes back.’ I spoke to the Rotary, I spoke to clubs.”

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Yet he didn’t really talk about his experiences there.

When he got out of the military, he used the GI Bill to go to Harvard University for his master’s in business administration.

“There were a lot of Vietnam vets in Boston,” Glesk said.

“Probably half of us were vets against the war.”

He met John Kerry, a key player in the Vietnam Veterans Against the War. It was about a decade before he talked about what he’d been through in the war, and before he sought any kind of therapy.

“I think I was in a healthy enough situation. I was stable enough and had enough friends,” Glesk said. In retrospect, he says, therapy right after his return home “would have made the transition a little easier. That stuff doesn’t go away.”

In fact, decades later, Glesk talks about things that still stick with him from his wartime experience.

“I didn’t like the dark. Most of the bad things happened at night,” he explained. “I used to be a hunter. I know what it’s like to have bullets coming by me. So I never got back into hunting.

“I didn’t sleep especially well. For a year or two, I’d hear a loud noise and it would bother me. In the last couple years, it was the first time I’d been comfortable with fireworks.

Glesk added, “I don’t camp anymore. I slept out for a year. I’ve been really cold for insane periods of time and I don’t enjoy it. I don’t choose to be cold and uncomfortable, or that degree of tired. I seek comfort a little bit more than I used to.”

Yet despite the horrors of war, Glesk came back with something very valuable for his civilian life — confidence in himself.

“Part of this special forces extreme training, they put you through this very intense training which you didn’t think you could do to let you know you could do anything,” he said.

“The basic idea was some point in your career or your life, you’re going to end up in a situation and know you can do it.

“You don’t get fazed by things,” he said. He added with a smile, “When you’ve had somebody shooting at you, somebody shooting their mouth off at you isn’t quite the same thing.”

Glesk was a lieutenant junior grade. He served in the Navy for three and a half years.

A few years before Vietnam, Glesk had been decorated with the Navy Commendation medal for heroism.

“A crane had fallen through a divers’ boat full of underwater divers who were cutting apart pontoons. We were trying to protect a Florida base from an incoming hurricane,” he explained. “This 150-foot crane collapsed and fell right through the boat. Myself and one other guy jumped in to try to save these people.”

Perhaps one of the most telling signs of Glesk’s character came in response to a simple question: If the Vietnam War was already well under way, would it have changed his mind about joining?

“Probably not,” he responded. “Vietnam was a real learning experience. I learned some things about my character that still benefit me today.

“One of the things that stuck with me through Vietnam, I think the world is a good place.”

Thank you to all veterans and their families for your service and sacrifice for our country

Thank you for protecting our freedom.

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4 • Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014

Area groups go the extra mile for veterans

By AMANDA NICHOLS Era Reporter a.nichols@bradfordera.com

The local region is very patriotic, its citizens ever willing to do what they can to support servicemen and women and honor returning veterans.

In fact, many area residents are members of groups like the Patriot Guard Riders and Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (A.B.A.T.E.), which go the extra mile to step up for those who have served the country.

Among other involvement in community service, A.B.A.T.E. does fundraising for military organizations like Wounded Warriors and other community service initiatives, while the Patriot Guard primarily serves as an escort at military funerals.

Both groups are comprised mainly of veterans and bikers, but anyone can take part.

Richard Getchel of Bradford, a senior ride captain for Region 2 of the Patriot Guard Riders of Pennsylvania, which covers nine counties in the region, including McKean, Potter, Elk and Cameron, said the local group is about 70 percent veterans and has hundreds of members and there are nearly 300,000 members nationwide.

There are 112 members in the God’s Country McKean County Chapter of A.B.A.T.E, with close to 6,000 nationally, according to Dan Karrasch of Bradford, a coordinator with A.B.A.T.E. “Quite a few of us in this chapter and the organization as a whole are vets — the American Legion Riders, Patriot Guard,” said Karrasch. “Bikers are a pretty independent bunch and we pretty much aim toward freedom of the road, of choice ... but we also understand the cost of that freedom and who bears that cost.

As a veteran myself, it’s hard to explain to someone else. We look out for our own.”

Karrasch said he was in the U.S. Navy from 1972 to 1979 and took with him more good memories than bad during his years of service.

“The good memories were the people I served with. They were everywhere that I, growing up in the small town of Bradford, would never have come in contact with. And, I got to see a lot of he world,” Karrasch said. “We were coming out of Vietnam, a lot of people were coming home — not necessarily to a hero’s welcome like they get now, but slowly but surely you see that changing because people recognize what the Vietnam vets did, why they did it and how they did it.”

But, in some cases, there have been people not so welcoming to veterans coming home. Getchel said the Patriot Guard is there at a family’s request to attend military funerals when protesters such as the Westboro Baptist Church decide to make an appearance.

“We’re there to show the family that there are other people out there that understand what they’re going through,” Getchel said.

“We’ve had many older veterans think that we’re in this alone, and we’re there to show them there are other people in this country who care and want to honor the servicemen and women.”

Getchel said he is retired military himself, having served 27 years, but he got involved with the Patriot Guard in 2006 when he saw them standing for his cousin, Master Sgt. Thomas Maholic, who was killed by enemy small arms fire in Afghanistan.

“We formed back in 2005 to protect the family of a veteran

Era photo courtesy of Brian Reid The Patriot Guard honors veterans, and primarily serves as an escort at military funerals. from protesters, we call them UGs — uninvited guests. Now we’re 300,000 strong,” Getchel said. “We do whatever the family wants.

We escort the veteran from the airport when they arrive to the funeral home, to the church and to the cemetery. Sometimes they want the service at the gravesite private, but other times we’ve carried the caskets or held flags — we put the flag between the family and the protesters so the family doesn’t have to see it or we’ll just be there to honor the veteran.”

He said American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars members will often accord military honors at a funeral, but in areas where they have little membership the Patriot Guard has filled in.

The group has also helped at funerals for law enforcement and first responders.

Getchel said they never interact with protesters, but rather leave that up to police at the funeral.

“There has never been an incident. They can be really irritating but we let law enforcement handle that. We don’t have any confrontation with them because that’s exactly what they’re looking for,” he explained. “They usually have someone on the side with a camera. And, if they find out the PGR will be there, they usually won’t show.”

Getchel said many members are dedicated enough that they use their sick days and vacation days from work to make it to funerals and show their support.

“All you have to do to become a member is have a desire to come honor the vet. Just come and show respect,” he said. “There are no membership dues, just go on the website and log in. We have no meetings; we do it all on the Internet. That’s where we notify people of funerals we’ve been invited to, and we never go without an invitation from the family.”

The Patriot Guard and A.B.A.T.E. share many of the same members, the two men said.

“We all support each other’s causes. In our case, our biggest fundraiser is Thunder on the Mountain, a two or three day rally held the third week in August on the other side of Coudersport,” Karrasch said. “This year we had about 600 people. The max we’ve had around 800. Our goal is to get 1,000 people up there.

That gives us our operating budget for the year.”

However, he noted the level of need is increasing, and the local A.B.A.T.E. chapter is nearing the depletion of its reserves. “This is the first time we will be looking to the public for sponsors of Thunder on the Mountain,” Karrasch said.

With the money raised, A.B.A.T.E. has helped with military funeral expenses, the purchase of mobility devices for injured veterans and given monetary donations to places like the L.E.E.K. Hunting and Mountain Preserve in Oswayo, which provides therapeutic outdoor programs for disabled veterans.

Back in April, the L.E.E.K. Preserve and American Eagles Motorcycle Club Patriot Guard Riders hosted a motorcycle run to benefit wounded veterans.

The Patriot Guard has also began assisting funeral homes in tracking down descendants of deceased veterans so they can get a proper burial, according to Getchel.

“They can’t bury someone without permission,” Getchel explained. “It can take a lot of legwork, but it’s a worthy cause.”

A.B.A.T.E. is also involved with other causes, including motorcycle and factory safety, and soon will work to gather toys for disadvantaged children during the holiday season.

“If we’re presented with a request or if we see a need we will try and figure out how to fill that. Be that veterans, kids, you name it,” Karrasch said.

For more information about the Patriot Guard, visit the websites www.patriotguard.org or www.pgrpa.org. For A.B.A.T.E. visit the website www.abatepa.org.

Bradford women Nolf, Lindy see time in the service

By RUTH BOGDAN Era Reporter r.bogdan@bradfordera.com

When people think of war, they often think of the men fighting on the front lines. But for every war that is fought, there are always women who have done all they were allowed to help with the war effort.

Veterans Hazel Nolf and Georgann Lindy, both of Bradford, shared their stories of wartime service.

Both women joined the military to find ways to better their lives.

Nolf explained she couldn’t afford to go to college, but, “I thought I’d get a really good education in the service, which I did. I became a clerk typist.” This, she noted, was in a time before people had computers.

Discussing her time in service, Nolf said, “I was in the Women’s Army Corps, before the women and men were combined.” She served from 1965-68 during the Vietnam War. Nolf went through basic training at Fort McClellan, Ala., then she served at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Fort Sam Houston, Texas; and Fort Devens, Mass.

She noted she was able to work on a rifle range, but “only because I wanted to,” she said. “They didn’t train us like they do the men back then.” She said women did modified push-ups and they didn’t have to carry packs that were as heavy.

Their training was still very similar, according to Nolf. “We did almost everything the men did except train for battle and carry heavy packs.”

However, their roles in military life were different. “We were trained more to support people. The jobs were at home, so men could go fight,” Nolf said.

As a clerk typist, she would sometimes type classified documents, “but a lot of it was in code and I didn’t know what it was I was typing,” she explained.

“I met a lot of people from all over the world,” Nolf said, talking about the interesting things she experienced in the service.

“It was very interesting talking to them, see how they lived, see the different foods they ate.”

She once asked a man from Germany what “gesundheit” meant.

He explained that while there was not exact translation, it “basically means ‘be healthy’” — not “bless you” as she would have guessed.

She learned Germans have a different school system, too.

She also recalls asking for advice from a woman from Puerto Rico who lived in her dorm. A man on base from Puerto Rico would follow her and say things like, “I love you, I love you. Marry me.”

Nolf wasn’t interested, so she asked her dorm mate what to tell him in his own language to make him stop following her.

Nolf followed the woman’s instructions and said to the man a phrase which turned out to be a very blunt refusal. “He did an about face. I never saw him again.”

When asked if she felt the men she served with treated her respectfully, she explained, “Some did, some didn’t. It’s like men everywhere. You’ve got good men and you’ve got con men.” She noted she “met a lot of good boys next door.”

Nolf left military life sooner than she planned.

She explained, “I actually wanted to make a career out of it, but I met my husband and fell head over heels.” She said it was funny because she was from Maine, while he was from Bradford, Pa., but they met in Missouri at Fort Devens.

At the time, “there was a double standard,” she said, explaining that she got pregnant and was not allowed to stay in the military with a dependent, though men could. She has no regrets, though. “I wouldn’t give up any of my kids for anything on earth.”

Lindy, meanwhile, did serve for a time overseas.

Lindy, born in Olean, N.Y., and raised in Bradford, spent about 10 years total in the U.S. Army, starting in February 1973 during the Vietnam War. Like Nolf, Lindy started in the Women’s Army Corps, but the Corps was dismantled in 1974 and became co-ed, Lindy explained. “That was pretty much an elite group,” she said.

She talked about how women in the Women’s Army Air Corps served as airline pilots during World War I and World War II. The group turned into the Women’s Army Corps after World War II. During her own service, Lindy went from Fort McClellan, Ala., to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, where she had driver’s training.

“I drove everything that has wheels in the military.” Then it was on to Fort Riley, Kan., until she went to Frankfurt, Germany, with the 92nd Transportation Co. She said she worked hard to keep up with the men she was serving with, saying, “I went through in a time when women were just coming around to be accepted.”

Lindy said she suffered quite a bit of verbal harassment in the military, but added that for her efforts, “I have quite a few awards.”

She said, “I was an excellent trainee.”

According to Lindy, she turned down an offer to take on a higher rank. “I wanted to be with the people I trained with. I didn’t want to be leading them.”

Lindy was released from service six months ahead of schedule, in August 1975, because of the end of the war.

“From there, I did the normal things in life,” she said. She went to college and earned a degree in funeral directing, serving as a funeral director for 12 years in New York state and Florida. In the military,

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“I did a lot of deceased soldier transports,” she said. “Through that I discovered an interest in funeral directing.”

She moved back to Pennsylvania in 1994 and enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1996, serving until 2004.

Lindy noted that “being a veteran nowadays is looked upon very differently than when I went.” She talked about the controversy many Vietnam vets faced in light of the unpopular war. “I was told not to wear my uniform home,” she said. “That hurts a military person right through. You have blood, sweat and tears for that uniform.”

It is important to Lindy that veterans do not return home “without pomp and circumstance. They’ve sacrificed a lot,” she said.

“I enjoyed every part of my military service. I don’t regret any part of it.” This, she said, holds true, despite being considered a disabled American veteran from her time in Germany.

“I had received orders to go to Iraq with my company,” she said of her time in the National Guard, but explained she was instead discharged because they realized she contracted an illness in Germany.

Lindy said the military has much to offer young people who join. “There’s so much opportunity for young people today to get into so many advanced technologies. The U.S. Air Force is a very technical part of our military. I would encourage anyone to look into any branch of service.” She added in the military “you learn a sense of responsibility, a sense of Americanism, especially if you serve overseas at any time.” She said traveling overseas helps people “to appreciate what we have in the United States,” and military service can “give direction and drive” to young people.

Lindy talked about the sacrifices Americans made during World War II, such as food rationing, and compared it to what the younger generation experiences of war. “People today have had to sacrifice nothing. They don’t know what it’s like. We’re not affected by it like we were back in World War II. We’re very, very lucky; we can go on continuing our lives every day as if nothing’s happened.”

Another issue Lindy feels strongly about is having more veterans represented in local and federal governments, as she feels few government officials are veterans. She noted that people can always write to their congressman on vet-related issues, even though few in Congress are vets themselves.

Happy Happy Veterans Veterans Day! Day!

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Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014 • 5

Local company has long-standing connection to American military

By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER Era Associate Editor marcie@bradfordera.com

“If it weren’t for my Zippo lighter, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Many a letter has been sent to Zippo Manufacturing Co. about the life-saving legends of the famed Zippo lighter. Zippo provided some testimonials of the lighter’s impact on those who carried it.

An early testimonial to the company tells of a Zippo lighter and a small Bible, carried in the chest pocket of an American soldier, that stopped an enemy bullet.

Private I’Dana Klinger was serving in Germany in World War II, and was carrying a Zippo lighter in his pants pocket when he was shot by enemy fire in 1944. The bullet struck the lighter instead of the soldier. Klinger sent the lighter home to his father in Pennsylvania with a note, “Guard this with your life.”

According to information from Zippo, early in the Korean War, Capt. C. Roy told a story of luck and an amazing rescue thanks to his Zippo lighter. Shipwrecked off the coast of Korea in 1950, Roy started a signal fire with his Zippo lighter. In a matter of 52 hours, he was found.

And the legend of the life-saving Zippo continued.

Sgt. Andres Martinez recounted his close call in November 1965 in Vietnam. After surviving a gun fight, Martinez reached into his vest pocket to pull out his Zippo lighter — and found the lighter had a gaping bullet hole in it. Martinez was fine, and his lighter still worked.

An unidentified Zippo collector from Garland, Texas, sent his story to Zippo, explaining his life was saved in Vietnam by his lighter in his vest pocket. The man described being in the midst of a gunfight and feeling a powerful hit to the left side of his chest.

He did not see blood, so he kept going. When he pulled out his Zippo lighter later on, he realized it had taken a direct hit from an AK-47 round.

“I had never carried that lighter in my shirt pocket before that May night, but have carried one there ever since!”

More than just a bullet-stopper, the Zippo lighter has been a coveted tool to GIs since World War II. Zippo was in its fledgling years when the U.S. went to war in December of 1941. Brass, chrome and nickel were rationed for the war effort in World War II, and Zippo owner George G. Blaisdell turned to steel to make his famous lighters.

However, steel rusted. To prevent the rust, Blaisdell had the lighters coated with thick, black paint, and then baked the lighters at a high temperature to adhere the paint to the lighter case. The finish turned out slightly rough, and became known as the black crackle finish.

During the war years, Zippo’s entire production went to the armed forces. Lighters were shipped to Army Exchanges and Naval Ship Stores where they were enthusiastically purchased. Soldiers often marked their new Zippo lighter with their name, rank, battalion or location.

It wasn’t just the soldiers who favored Zippo lighters. Some well-known generals sent thanks to Blaisdell for the lighters he sent them as gifts.

According to information from Zippo, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force, wrote, “It is the only lighter I’ve got that will light at all times, which makes your gift especially welcome.”

And famous U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur wrote, “It is a real work of art which I shall use constantly and always with deep appreciation of your generosity.”

In Vietnam, the lighters were near the top of the list of the most popular items sold at military exchange stores, according to information compiled at Zippo.

Happy Veterans Day We thank you for your service.

With temperatures in the jungles of Vietnam at more than 100 degrees, the soldiers would lose salt from their bodies with excessive sweating. Many kept an emergency supply of salt in the bottom cavity of the lighter. Leeches were a problem in the swamps, and soldiers would use the lighters to remove the parasites.

The GIs often had their lighters engraved, sometimes with their names and names of loved ones, often with sentiments or sketches expressing feelings about war, conflict and thoughts of home. According to the display with Vietnam lighters at the Zippo Museum, “Sometimes referred to as ‘trench art,’ these lighters are a barometer of the times in which they were made.”

According to Zippo, some messages referred to the soldier’s hatred for the conditions of the country where he was fighting. One example is a lighter which reads, “If I had a farm in Vietnam and a home in Hell, I’d sell my farm and go home.” Another expressed the soldier’s anger for ending up in the situation he was in — “Fighter by day, lover by night, drunkard by choice, Army by mistake.”

Yet another gives a chilling insight into what the soldiers faced daily — “You only live twice, once when you are born and once when you’ve looked death in the face.”

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6 • Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014

Godfrey recalls military service for his country

By KATE DAY SAGER Era Reporter kdsager@bradfordera.com When Josh Godfrey signed up with the Marines in 2001, he was still a senior at Bradford Area High School and didn’t know the United States would be thrown into war following the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the nation.

Godfrey, 31, shared memories of being among the first troops to fight at the start of the Iraq War in honor of the upcoming Veterans Day commemorations. When he left active duty in August of 2005, he had achieved the rank of corporal as a non-commissioned officer.

The son of Dr. David Godfrey and the late Giesla Godfrey, he signed on with the Marines because he figured it was the best and toughest branch of the military.

“I went in with the attitude that if you’re going to do something, if you start at the top you never have to look back,” he said. His entry into the military was delayed for several weeks, however, when the nation was thrown into a crisis.

“I signed up during high school, took the summer off and was supposed to go in after that, but then 9-11 happened,” he said. “My boot camp start date got pushed back, so I ended up going in October of 2001.”

He was shipped out for his first tour of duty in January of 2003 with the Motor Transportation Regiment attached to the 2nd Marine Division.

“We sailed around Saudi Arabia and landed in Kuwait,” he recalled. “We were in Kuwait a couple of weeks while there were still debates back home about what was going to happen” with the American troops.

Soon after, they were ordered to cross over into Iraq for the first of the U.S. invasions in that country. He is certain his family was concerned about him because there were fewer methods of communication during that time frame.

“Technology wasn’t as advanced like it is now,” he recalled.

“There wasn’t any kind of communication like cell phones” or computer contact through WiFi. “I really didn’t call home much,” he remembered. “The one time I got to call home was during the first big battle of war, the battle of Nasiriyah which was the first big one with major U.S. casualties.”

Godfrey and his fellow Marines were supplied with a satellite phone to call their families and assure them they were safe. While Godfrey and others in his regiment had no injuries, one of the bat-

Era submitted photo Josh Godfrey, a native of Bradford, was among the first troops to arrive in Kuwait at the beginning of the Iraq War. talions they serviced did experience heavy casualties.

“We had to go and pick up casualties because our job as Motor T was direct support of the infantry units,” he explained. “It was driving up to the front and taking them food, ammunition or supplies — and we’d bring back prisoners, wounded or dead.

“It was tough, because at the time I was just 20,” he stated. “It was different and a lot to see.”

After six months, he returned home, but was sent on his second tour of duty in Iraq from October of 2004 to March of 2005. He said family members, such as his father, were concerned for his welfare, but this time around he could contact them more readily through phones and computer systems that could transmit e-mails.

After his four years of active duty, Godfrey went on four years of inactive reserve and was honorably discharged in 2009. While on inactive reserve, he attended Penn State University in State College with help from the GI Bill. While there he earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel/restaurant management and currently manages night clubs in Atlantic City, N.J. As for his years of service, he has no regrets and believes the military helped him with his outlook on life.

“I think I have a greater view on life, what’s out there and what’s

Smethport Merchant Marine recognized 68 years after war ends

By FRAN De LANCEY Era Correspondent delancey401@yahoo.com SMETHPORT — Approximately 68 years after the close of World War II, Bill Good of Smethport was recognized for his service with the U.S. Merchant Marines, often serving in war zones from 1943-1946.

Collectively, the Merchant Marines includes the fleet of ships, that while not owned by the government, can be operated by the government or private companies and the officers and crewmen who sail the vessels. During wartime, the Merchant Marines serve as an auxiliary of the Navy and transport supplies to the fighting forces around the world.

With the outbreak of World War II, almost all of the Merchant Marine ships were nationalized as they were contracted for government service to deliver troops, food and military supplies.

A Pittsburgh native, Good graduated from high school in 1941 and spent a year at Duquense University before completing Merchant Marine training. By the end of his service a year after World War II ended, he had served on three Liberty ships and two tankers that carried supplies vital to the Allies’ defeat of the Nazis. This service had taken him to England, Italy, Russia, South America, the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and finally, by war’s end, to the western Pacific island of Ulithi, a major staging area for the Navy in the war.

When he was not on duty for ten days, Good returned to Pittsburgh. “Then, since we were classified as civilians, it was back to New York City to the union hall for my next assignment,” he said. “Due to the tight security, we never learned of our destination until we were well out to sea.”

In March 1941, following the signing of the Lend-Lease Act, the U.S began carrying badly-need supplies to the Soviet Union, which at that time was against Hitler.

Good’s only trip to Russia followed an incredibly dangerous Arctic route, just miles from Nazi-occupied territory, to deliver supplies to the warm water port of Murmansk.

Recalling the day of their arrival, Good said, “Not only was there an inch of snow on the ground, but the Russians were so grateful to receive our supplies they gave us some vodka and a record of Russian music.”

On another voyage, this one to oil-rich Venezuela, Good’s tanker had to navigate an extremely narrow waterway en route to loading the oil. Remembering that memorable trip, Good said, “When we left, there

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important,” he said. “Even the experience of being overseas during wartime was a full range of emotions, but it was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.

“For all the negative stuff you hear about (the war), there are a million and one great stories you don’t ever hear,” he said. More important is the dignity attached to serving his country.

“There’s huge sense of honor to it — and being a part of something bigger than yourself,” he remarked.

David Godfrey, who was in the Navy R.O.T.C., said he is proud of his son’s military service, but noted it did cause him some worry during his first tour of duty.

“We didn’t have any contact with him — there was no place to call him” because of lack of cell phones, David Godfrey said. He said he believes the experience not only changed his son, but also his other sons who served in the military.

His older son Justin served with special forces in the Air Force and was deployed to Iraq at least twice. In addition, Justin Godfrey’s wife was an Air Force pilot in Afghanistan and Iraq. Another son, Joel, is currently serving in the Navy on active duty.

“The top of my head is getting whiter,” David Godfrey admitted.

“But I’m definitely proud of my sons, definitely so.”

Veterans to receive timely medical care at Erie VA, official says

By ALEX DAVIS Era Reporter a.davis@bradfordera.com

Bill Good of Smethport wasn’t enough room to turn around so tug boats pulled us out backwards.”

Upon their arrival at Italy, Good and his fellow mariners came under ferocious and repeated German attacks at the Angio beachhead, where the American Fifth Army rose to the challenge and opened what was later to result in the triumphant entry into Rome. Good said, “The German attacks began when we got there at 10 in the morning and never let up until two in the afternoon. Since we were civilians and not trained to fire the guns, manning the guns were the Navy’s Armed Guard, who sailed with all Merchant Marine ships. That fighting got so intense we had to move the ship three times.”

By war’s end, Good had attained the rank of Third Mate with responsibilities for the bridge’s team.

Despite their bravery and vital contributions to the Allied victory, members of the Merchant Marines were denied “veteran” status until decades after World War II. Not until 1988, and after a court battle and four attempts to gain that status, was it finally granted, qualifying the mariners for discharge certificates, which, in turn, bring eligibility for such veterans’ benefits as the use of Veterans Administration hospitals and burial in a national cemetery.

During World War II, the men of the Merchant Marines were civilian volunteers, whose deaths proportionately equaled or exceeded any uniformed branch of the nation’s military.

Early in 2013, Good submitted a request for the awards to which he is entitled.

In fewer than two months, he received the Merchant Marine Medal, Atlantic War Zone, Pacific War Zone, Mediterranean Middle East War Zone, Honorable Service and Victory medals and a Presidential Testimonial Letter with the signature of Harry Truman.

Good is a member of the Bucktail Post #138, Smethport American Legion.

For all that you are and all that you’ve given to our country, we salute you, veterans. Thank you for protecting our freedom at home and overseas. Your service and your sacrifice will always be remembered.

With gratitude, we honor America’s veterans and military personnel.

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197 Interstate Pkwy., Bradford • 814-368-4492 w w w .drku rtdm d.co m • w w w .sig n atu resm iledesig n sin c.co m

Veterans can rest assured they will receive timely medical attention at the Erie VA Medical Center, officials say, following a scandal that has rocked VA health care across the country.

Earlier this year, investigators found that VA officials had systematically manipulated medical appointment records to cover up the length of delays for patients to see doctors — a scandal that has drawn major criticism from Congress.

Since then, the VA has sought the firing of some top administrators connected to the scandal. Many high-ranking leaders received a total of $612,000 in bonuses, and uncovering the scandal has led to their resignations, retirements or now firings, according to a news report.

That’s a far cry from what has been happening in Erie.

“We want the community to be assured that veterans can continue to rely on the Erie VA Medical Center for timely, quality care,” said Erie VA Medical Center spokeswoman Sarah Gudgeon.

She said that according to nationally released historical data, the Erie VA Medical Center can see most of the “established patients well within 14 days of their desired date.”

And the Erie VA hospital officials are making sure quality health care

continues — the facility keeps on expanding.

“Over the past couple of years, Erie VAMC has poured resources into opening access to care for our veterans,” Gudgeon said. “We’ve expanded both primary care and mental health hours to include evening and weekend hours. We’ve expanded our telehealth programs and services allowing for easier and faster access to specialty care services. And, we have same-day access appointments built in to our primary care clinics and mental health clinics every day.”

In addition, the Erie VA is looking to hire several primary care and specialty care providers to make sure that veterans continued to be cared for, Gudgeon said.

In 2013, more than 22,000 were served by the Erie VA and its five community-based outpatient clinics. Already, nearly 23,000 veterans have been seen so far this year, she said. One of those clinics is on Kennedy Street in Bradford.

“Erie VAMC has a robust outreach team that continues to reach out to veterans in the community to help enroll them in VA health care services,” Gudgeon said. “We are committed to opening access to care for veterans and will continue to do so our nation’s heroes get the best health care possible.”

For contact the Bradford location, call 814-368-3019 and the Erie location, 800-274-8387 or 814-8688661.

Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014 • 7

Eldred World War II Museum keeps war alive for visitors

By RICK FREDERICK Special to The Era

ELDRED — There’s always something new at the Eldred World War II Museum.

Take the artifacts, for example. In the past few days, donations to the museum have included a seabag full of gear from a sailor who served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific, scrapbooks from the Pacific theater detailing several actions, German and Italian helmets found on the island of Crete, and a “line thrower” — an odd-looking pistol with a long barrel and a handle atop the barrel used for shooting a line of rope from one ship to another.

Something else new to the museum is found in the far back reaches of the first floor — two vehicles on loan from World War II collectors. One is an open-cab threequarter ton truck made by Dodge in 1942 as a weapons carrier, designated a WC 24. “This one is quite rare,” said Steve Appleby, the museum’s executive director. “Only 15,000 of them were made during 1941-42. As you might imagine, most of them didn’t survive the war.”

Nearby is a less rare, but certainly iconic vehicle from the period, a 1944 Willys Jeep, on loan to the museum through the winter.

“We have the room to display these vehicles, and they certainly make a great addition to our other collections,” said Appleby, who added he is hoping to get other large items such as these donated to the museum’s permanent collection. “Some collectors have three or four of a type of item, and they may decide to donate one to the museum. They get a write-off on the donation and we get an essential item that commemorates the period of the war — it’s a winning situation for everyone.”

Appleby noted that a newer feature of the museum is a room devoted to the Holocaust. A Buffalo, N.Y., author, Joseph Krygier, whose book told the story of a Polish Holocaust survivor, was the featured speaker at the museum on Memorial Day. This was the incentive the museum staff needed to finish the long-anticipated Holocaust project.

“It’s still a work in progress,” said Appleby. “We are continuing to look for artifacts to enhance the display.”

Appleby is the face of the museum, the person who leads individuals and tour groups through the building and promotes the museum through speaking engagements around the area. A retired master sergeant with 27 years of service in the U.S. Army, he is an expert on all phases of the war.

“I read a book on the Battle of the Bulge when I was six or seven and became fascinated with the war,” he recalls.

“After that I read everything I could find about the war.

I was the nerdy kid in school who was the World War II expert. Then, I joined the service and continued to read about the war and to meet some of the veterans. When I came home after 27 years to my little home town of Eldred, there was a World War II museum. Unbelievable!”

Much of the museum’s work involves outreach activities, which essentially means the executive director travels to other locations, usually with a box full of artifacts

Photo submitted Steve Appleby, executive director of the Eldred World War II Museum, holds a reproduction of a Browning Automatic Rifle recently acquired by the museum while standing next to a Willys Jeep. to talk about the war. These trips have included VFW posts in various locales as well as social and professional groups, the latest being a two-county group of retired teachers.

What Appleby really enjoys are the trips to schools in Pennsylvania and New York state.

“A major part of the museum’s mission is education,” he said. “We have always encouraged the schools to send kids in, and we still get a few busloads each year. But with declining school budgets, it’s necessary to take our educational program to them.”

Appleby explains that his passion for World War II extends to teaching children about it.

“I aim to show these kids what real role models look like,” he said. “They aren’t gangsta rappers or Kardashians. They’re Rosie the Riveter or the millions of men and women — average citizens — who signed on to risk their lives to defeat evil during the war.”

The Eldred World War II Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. All veterans receive free admission on Veterans’ Day.

Local vet serves in two wars and two different services In 1944 after turning 17, Alex “Dick” Freeman joined the U.S. Navy.

After basic training at Sampson, N.Y., he was assigned duty aboard the heavy cruiser, The U.S.S. Boston. After the war was won, the ship took its rightful place and was the first large ship to sail into Tokyo Bay where its crew witnessed the signing of the official ending of the ending of the war aboard the U.S.S. Missouri.

The Boston saw a major share of action in the war.

From bombarding islands, to downing of planes of the Rising Sun, she carried the war to the homeland of Japan itself and chalked up one of the most impressive records of any ship in the Pacific theater.

Freeman was separated from service on May 24, 1946 and returned to the family home in Olean, N.Y. to complete his two years of high school.

After graduating, Freeman relocated to Washington, D.C. After being employed in seasonal hotel positions, Freeman became manager of various hotels in the area.

As a member of the Air Force Air National Guard, Freeman’s unit was the 113th fighter wing at Andrew’s Air Force Base in D.C. Freeman was assigned temporarily to the Navy serving on the island of Kwajalein with 1960 AACS Squadron Navy 824. Again Freeman saw service in the South Pacific.

Alex "Dick" Freeman

In addition to the usual medals, Freeman was awarded the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

After living and working in the area for 35 years, Freeman chose to take life at a slower pace and return to his roots.

The Holiday Inn Bradford was purchased in 1980 by his employers from Washington and New York, and Freeman was chosen to become its manager. The Inn was then franchised from the Howard Johnson Company and is now the Best Western Plus Inn

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Freeman, now 87, retired in April 2000 at the age of 73. He then relocated to Central Mexico in an American community until 2004, when he returned and is now living in the area at the Dorn mansion.

8 • Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014

A relucant hero:

DeLucia aims to keep alive memory of those who fought in World War II

By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER Era Associate Editor marcie@bradfordera.com Elmer DeLucia has shared his experiences from World War II with generations of school children and the public — yet it isn’t out of any quest for attention.

Rather, DeLucia shares his story to keep alive the memory of the 407,000 military lives lost in the Second World War. DeLucia was part of the 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion in the U.S. Army, and was involved in five major campaigns during his time in Europe, including the D-Day Invasion at Omaha Beach, the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of Paris.

He’s a decorated veteran, having been honored with three Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars, five Major Battle Medals, a Chevalier in the Legion of Honor in France and a Good Conduct Medal.

And he wouldn’t hesitate to do it all again, continuing a lesson taught by his Italian immigrant father, Dominic DeLucia.

When his father went before a magistrate to become an American citizen, his three sons were off at war. Elmer DeLucia recounted that when his father was asked how he felt about America, he replied, “If I had three more sons, I’d give them to this country.”

Elmer DeLucia’s brother, Anthony “Bib” DeLucia, was listed as missing in action following a plane crash over China on his 24th birthday, Aug. 31, 1944. The plane was found in 1996 on the side of a mountain in Guangxi Province in China, and his remains were brought home.

His brother Augie DeLucia served in the U.S. Air Force as a gunner on a B17 bomber during World War II. He was shot down over Stuttgart, Germany, in a bombing mission. He lost an eye, and was awarded a Purple Heart.

He died at the age of 89 on Nov. 24, 2007.

Elmer DeLucia graduated early in 1943, as the males in the senior class were drafted out of high school — he was given his diploma and sent to Fort Indiantown Gap to start his military service. He trained in Alabama as a telescopic sight man before heading overseas.

He stormed the beach at Normandy on June 6, 1944, with the 81st A Company, in support of the 16th Infantry Division, passing through Colleville Sur Mer. “Two days before D-Day, General Ike (Eisenhower) talked,” DeLucia said. “His head was down. He looked sad. He knew many GIs would not make it. He shook hands with all of us and said ‘God bless’ to all of them. I will never forget the day.”

Calling himself a “scared kid” at D-Day, DeLucia said he lost three of his best friends — Margarito Frausto of Texas, Lucian Hughes of West Virginia and Warren Knipple of Cincinnati, Ohio.

He explained he and the three other soldiers went to France together and were split up to four separate companies. DeLucia was sent with Company A. At the time they said their goodbyes, they all said “See You Later.” DeLucia didn’t realize he would never see them again.

“My superior officer said, ‘Elmer I have some bad news. It’s about those guys you trained with.’ I said, ‘Which one got it?’ and he said, ‘Elmer, they all did,’” DeLucia remembered. “I sat down and cried. After all our time training together in the United States, they were killed. I never got over that.”

He was wounded in action in France in October of 1944, and again in Germany in March of 1945.

In December of 1944, he was in the Battle of the Bulge, where he spent two weeks fighting in the freezing cold.

Others spent six weeks, he said, brushing off comments of the hardships he suffered.

“I had the same clothes on for five months,” DeLucia said. “There weren’t sanitary conditions there.”

He went on to describe his second Purple Heart, adding that he wouldn’t be here today if not for the heroic actions of another.

“On March 21, 1945, Lt. John Campbell from New Jersey saved my life.” He told a story about A Company’s encampment being bombed by enemy planes. “We were taking strafe fire

Elmer DeLucia and another soldier take a moment’s rest on top of a captured tank in World War II.

Elmer DeLucia from an aircraft.”

At 7:10 a.m., German planes attacked A Company, which was serving breakfast in the encampment at Wachenheim.

“Forty-four Purple Hearts were earned in 10 minutes,” DeLucia recounted. Campbell was hit by machine gunfire in the process of saving DeLucia.

“I was hit when I tried to help Lt. Campbell,” he said. “A shell exploded a few feet from me.

My helmet flew off. I tried to run for cover.”

He had taken shrapnel hits to the leg, and had to use his belt as a tourniquet.

There are many horrors of war that DeLucia doesn’t talk about much, including the liberation of the Ohrdruf concentration camp, a subcamp of Buchenwald. With tears in his eyes nearly 70 years later, he briefly described emaciated men and women who survived the brutality and atrocities committed there by the Nazis.

It was the first camp liberated by U.S. forces.

Eisenhower, visiting a week after the liberation, ordered careful documentation of the horrors there so no one could deny the Holocaust had

Elmer DeLucia drops a a 4.2 mortar shell in France in 1944, firing at a German stronghold in World War II. He was in combat for 313 days. happened.

Speaking of his wartime memories, DeLucia said, “I think about it all the time. All these guys who were killed and never had a chance.”

When asked how his military experiences shaped his life, DeLucia grew emotional and said he learned to appreciate life.

“I’m very fortunate to be here,” he said.

His experiences taught him to help others.

“If I can do something for someone else, I do it.”

After earning a chest-full of medals, losing one brother and seeing another badly injured, DeLucia is anything but soured on military service.

“I would do it again,” he said.

He brushes aside compliments and the label of “hero.”

“The real heroes are the ones we left behind.”

He still remembers the day he heard the war

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The DeLucia brothers, from left, Anthony “Bib,” Elmer and Augie, all three served in the U.S. Armed Forces. had ended. “We didn’t celebrate,” DeLucia said. “We said a prayer for the guys who never made it.”

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Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014 • 9

Murphy recalls camaraderie, resourcefulness of soldiers in Korea

By AMANDA NICHOLS Era Reporter a.nichols@bradfordera.com Sgt. Cornelius Murphy, 83, of Bradford, recalls much from his time in combat and later as a typist during the Korean War — including the death of a good friend and the resourcefulness of soldiers on the front lines.

Murphy said his years in Korea were not easy, but the camaraderie of his fellow servicemen helped him get through it all — from the ever-present danger of constant gunfire to the “awful food” and “horrible cold.”

“You ever see M.A.S.H.? That’s just about what it was like over there. That is the best (television) program of Korea that I know of,” Murphy said.

Murphy was put in the infantry division in 1952, along with his friends Bruce Sherwin and Dick Taylor, who had graduated together from Bradford Area High School just a few short years earlier.

“We were just 21 when we were drafted, and Dick and I were together nearly the whole time,” he recalled. “But, he got killed the day before the war ended. Just awful.”

Murphy had been on the front lines with Taylor for much of his service in Korea, but was eventually chosen to serve as a typist and was separated from his buddy.

“We were together all the time up until a month or so before it ended. I’d heard of a cushy job as a typist and I took it,” he said. “That got me back off of the front lines and into a tent.

“It’s just whatever they want to do with you,” Murphy explained. “We did pretty good right up until the end, and he almost made it.”

In that month before the end of the war, it was Murphy’s job to type up the reports of who had died, been wounded or gone missing from each company.

“I didn’t have Dick’s company that morning, so I missed it when it first came through, and it was two days before I found out,” he said.

“The night that the war ended, the shells were going back and forth and then all of a sudden you had utter silence. It was just silent, and we had no idea that’s what it was until the next day when we found out they had signed the armistice,” Murphy said. “Tell you the truth, we all got kind of drunk.”

It was difficult to celebrate, though, after learning of his friend’s death, he said.

Beer was one luxury soldiers were afforded to help them get through during the war, according to Murphy.

“We were allowed two beers a day. It was mainly all Pabst Blue Ribbon, and they would warm. So, we dug a hole underneath my bed and we’d put our beer cans in there, then put the ammo case over top for a floor,” Murphy recalled.

“That was as cold a beer as you could get. We’d save them up that way, and then we’d have our party.”

Murphy said the food was even worse, though after the war it got better.

“We had an awful lot of C-rations (canned, pre-cooked food),” he said. “The cook would have a big 55 gallon drum of hot water and put the cans in there. You were liable to get anything — Lord only knows, just whatever he pulled off the rack, that’s what you got.

“The pork and beans in the can wasn’t too bad, but the rest of it was terrible. Especially the beef patties, it just turns my stomach to think about it,” Murphy continued.

The best meal he remembers was one he wrangled up for himself.

“One time I used a shotgun from the service club and went hunting Chinese pheasant and I got one,” he said happily. “I had some Lipton soup that I used for seasoning, and I cooked it in my steel helmet — we cooked everything in those helmets. It taste good, it came out really good. God, anything was better than the canned stuff.”

Murphy confirmed that war is not a life of comfort, and Korea was no exception.

“There wasn’t too many nice things to be said about Korea,” he said. “You could smell that country 50 miles before you got to it. They fertilized their rice paddies with human waste. It was raw.

“And, that was the coldest place. I was never so cold in my life,” Murphy went on. “I thought Bradford was the coldest, but that Korea is the coldest place there is. I had a tent and we were lucky to have that, especially if it had any heat in it.”

He remembered having to heat the typewriters in the morning so they would work — not that they got much sleep during the nights.

“During the war, you had your artillery shells going over, and the Chinese coming our way,” Murphy said. “Even the small arms rifles, you could just watch the tracers go back and forth. It would go on every night. Every once in a while, they'd send up a flare and it was as bright as day light.

“You took in rest a little bit at a time,” he explained.

“Whenever you get a chance, you’d grab 15 to 20 minutes.

You didn’t sleep very much at night — you slept more during the day, and then you had to take turns with your buddy.”

During the night, if they were able or trying to sleep, they’d set out old cans on strings to act as booby traps, Murphy said. “This was after the war, but we’d stretch them out so the Koreans couldn’t come steal from us. If they crawled in our tents at night, they’d rattle the cans and we’d get them.”

Murphy got back home in May of 1954 to his wife and daughter.

“When I left my wife, she was eight months pregnant and my daughter was born when I was in transit on the way over.

It took them almost a month to find me to tell me,” he said.

“She was 15 months old before I ever saw her. When I got back, the little snot wouldn’t come to me. Her Daddy was a picture that she had of me.”

Murphy readjusted to domestic life and had two more children and later, seven grandchildren.

“It was a good life,” he said, noting he would endure it all again for the good of the country.

“This is our country and it was worth it,” Murphy said.

“I’d probably think twice about some of the things I did, but other than that, I’d do it over again.”

Bradford's Sherwin reminisces on his service in Korean War

By AMANDA NICHOLS Era Reporter a.nichols@bradfordera.com

Bruce Sherwin of Bradford, now 83, still holds on to memories from his time serving in the Korean War more than 60 years ago — in particular, a special Christmas dinner between ‘the Bradford boys’ and a general that hailed from Rew. Sherwin, a U.S. Army infantryman, was deployed to Okinawa, where he served as a drill instructor for soldiers being sent from there to Korea, where “the heavy fighting” was taking place.

“I don’t want any of the glory,” Sherwin said, giving respect the young men endured the brunt of the conflict.

He did appreciate the chance to serve his country and see the world, but said he was sad to leave his wife behind when he was drafted in the fall of 1952.

Sherwin said he and Betty

Duncan had been seeing each other for about five years when he got his draft notice, and they decided to marry that November — less than a month before he was deployed, “because you never know if you’re going to come home or not.”

“I remember all the tears and sorrow she went through at the train station when I left,” he said. “I told her I’d be gone a long time — I didn’t know for sure, but that’s what I told her just in case.”

“My base was in Sukiran, Okinawa — right beside the Kadena Air Force Base where Gen. Faye Updegrove from Rew was in charge.”

Sherwin said in Christmas of 1953, General Updegrove must have heard that there were a few local boys were stationed near his base because he summoned them for a holiday dinner.

“He called my company commander and wanted to know if he had some boys from Bradford in his outift. The general said, ‘By golly, I want their

attendance up here Christmas day,’ and my captain had no choice talking to a general, so naturally it was lined up,” Sherwin explained.

“I remember the squad car coming into the company area, a general’s car, you know?” he said. “The general asked if the boys from Bradford were there and we all got in the his car and went to the his house and had Christmas dinner. It was really something.”

Sherwin said there were a total of five ‘Bradford Boys’ on the base: Robert Schwab of Duke Center, Charlie Swartz of Smethport, Jack Sherman of Bradford and Richard Pytcher of Gifford.

“That was over 60 years ago — it’s just hard to remember,” he said. “But, sometimes, when you’re 83 years old, things from way back come back better than something that happened yesterday.”

One thing he’ll never forget were the sights he took in at Nagasaki and Hiroshima, where the atom bombs

had gone off seven years prior in 1945. “I saw where those bombs hit, and even those years later, it makes an impact on you,” Sherwin said.

One of his fonder memories was that of a weekend pass to visit Ie Shima (now Iejima), where he got to see the grave of Ernie Pyle, an American journalist killed by Japanese machine-gun fire in World War II. But, perhaps his best memory from that time is of the feeling of coming home to his wife a year and a half later in July of 1954.

“Tears flowed that day also,” Sherwin said. “She was glad to see me, and I was certainly very happy to see her.

“She had stayed with her mother and father while I was overseas, but when I came back she had a little apartment ready for us on Jefferson Street — I’ll never forget it,” he relayed. “We lived there for three or four months and then had a new home built on Constitution

Avenue, where we raised our family for 48 years.”

He said his wife Betty passed away 12 years ago, and that’s when he got remarried to Emma Murphy, who died in 2012.

“I’m a bachelor now, but at 83-years-old, I’ll stay that way,” Sherwin said, noting his satisfaction with the life he has led — even with his time in the service.

“I had a pretty good job in the Army and I came out staff sergeant, so I did alright,” he said. “It really wasn’t a bad service. If I’d have been in direct combat up in the hills of Korea, I might have felt different about it.

“I don’t want to be praised up, there are too many boys still laying over there,” Sherwin stated. “I don’t feel that I’m worthy of representing all of the GIs who went to Korea. I did my part, but there were others who gave all for the effort and they’re the ones that deserve the honor.”

Cochran, held captive in Stalag Luft 4, describes his Army Air Force service

By FRAN De LANCEY Era Correspondent delancey401@yahoo.com

of the risk and small enclosure, but I loved it, even though I had to be crouched over for hours at a time for the missions. Guys thought I was crazy for volunteering for this duty.”

Only a safety harness secured him in the On Sept. 16, 1944, S/Sgt. Robert L. Cochran turret. Cochran said, “It was so small that I of Smethport, while serving with the Eighth couldn’t wear my parachute, which had to be Air Force 446 Bomb Group in U.S. Army Air placed on the plane’s deck. Two 50-caliber Force as a crew member of a heavy bomber guns, one on each side, decreased the availwas on his 29th mission — at that time 30 able space even more.” missions were considered “a complete tour of The belly turret, which could retract duty” — when he was shot down over Germany for takeoffs and landings, also rotated 360 and captured. degrees, allowing the gunner to shoot from For approximately eight months he was a positions, ranging from level to straight down. prisoner of war in Stalag Luft 4, which held Once enemy fire hit the plane and the crew many Army Air Force personnel. Prior to 1945, was forced to bail out, the tail gunner took this area was part of northern Germany, but is Cochran’s chute with his name on it, forcing now in northwest Poland after the Polish borRobert L. Cochran of Cochran to use his spare chute, an action that der was changed following the war.

Smethport would cause problems later.

Cochran was 17 when he left school and was The pilot was the last of the ten-man crew to drafted in 1942.

Though he was trained as a waist gunner, Cochran at one leave the plane, according to Cochran. “He was a great pilot; time filled in for a soldier who was drunk and failed to appear everyone in the whole group would have liked to have him fly for duty in a turret gunner in the belly of a B-24 heavy bomb- their plane.”

As he prepared to leave the plane, Cochran’s oxygen super, easily distinguished by its oval twin tail assembly.

The most-produced heavy bomber in history, the B-24 with ply was running low, causing him to fade in and out of conits increased speed, greater range and capacity for a heavier sciousness. And then, when he jumped and pulled the chute’s bomb load was invaluable in bombing enemy bridges, train rip cord, a buckle that wasn’t on correctly flew up and hit him in the face, causing his face to swell. “I didn’t remember one stations and airports.

All of Cochran’s missions were spent as a ball turret gun- thing after leaving the plane,” Cochran said.

Cochran landed in a potato field where about 15 German ner in the belly of a B-24, a hydraulic lift that raised and lowered the turret. “Nobody liked being in the ball turret because civilians were working. A family in a nearby farm house took

him in, but he was unable to eat due to his facial injuries.

Before long, German soldiers arrived and Cochran and his crew members began their 630-mile, three-month long trip to Stalag Luft 4, a German POW camp near the Baltic Sea. Remembering that long walk with German infantrymen as guards, Cochran said, “Sometimes during that walk, we stayed in barns, but other sometimes we slept in open fields.”

All through their time as POWs, the American GIs, unable to speak German, repeatedly told their German captors what they thought of them in defiant English.

Interrogation awaited the prisoners when they finally reached the POW Camp. Cochran, true to the military code, gave only his name, rank and serial number, but when the Germans realized that his parachute didn’t have his name on it and thought he was giving false information, they beat him and placed him in solitary confinement for five days in a dark tunnel-like space so small that he could sit or lie down. It was to confining to stand.

Cochran said that having little to eat was his biggest problem. “Because we were so hungry, even the watery soup tasted good. We were tickled to get anything.”

On two occasions, the Germans pulled up in trucks and threw out pieces of bread.

Cochran was liberated on May 10, 1945.

A highly decorated veteran, he earned seven medals, but was one mission short of receiving the Distinguished Service Cross.

Cochran retired from Pittsburgh Corning in Port Allegany in 1984.

He is a member of the American Legion and VFW.

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10 • Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014

Maynard recalls experiences as Marine in Vietnam

By FRAN DE LANCEY Era Correspondent delancey401@yahoo.com With an incredible number of military honors — three Purple Hearts, two Presidential Unit citations, two Vietnam Campaign Ribbons and two Vietnam Service Ribbons — Smethport’s Paul Maynard is the county’s most highly decorated veteran of that war, which lasted from 1959-1975.

The Purple Heart has been awarded in the name of the President to those killed or wounded while serving with the military on or after April 5, 1917, making it the nation’s oldest military award that is still given.

Presidential Unit citations are awarded to units of the U.S. armed forces for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after Dec. 7, 1941.

A 1966 graduate of Smethport Area High school, Maynard enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps later that year on Oct. 5.

Paul Maynard of Smethport He completed basic training at the Marine Corps Base Parris Island, S.C., and then went on to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he was assigned to an Infantry Training Regiment. At Marine Corps Base Camp

Pendleton, Calif., the West Coast base of the Marine Corps, Maynard completed six weeks of infantry training for those Marines headed for Vietnam.

A couple of days were spent in Okinawa. “When we arrived in Vietnam, we were given a rifle, and you were ready,” Maynard recalled.

“I was part of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, an infantry division of ‘The Magnificent Bastards,’ Lt. Gen. Lewis “Chesty” Puller’s regiment.”

Maynard earned his first Purple Heart on Sept. 20, 1967, when he was hit in the side by shrapnel. While waiting for a medical evacuation helicopter— one wasn’t available immediately — Maynard got hit again, that time in the forearm. It was two days before he left by medical evacuation helicopter.

Maynard returned to the U.S. where he was treated for his injuries at the Bethesda Naval Hospital.

Despite his serious injuries, Maynard was determined to return

to Vietnam. “I wanted to return to my buddies in my unit,” he said, and signed a waiver giving up his rights to stay home.

Upon his return to Vietnam — at Da Nang — Maynard was asked, where he wanted to be assigned. “I said, ‘To my original unit.’”

He was told that unit, which had suffered major losses, was in Okinawa.

Maynard said, “I can swim,” he recalled with a grin.

“I didn’t know where to go,” he said.

Maynard was assigned to Phu Bai, where “second timers” were often sent.

Maynard was back in action in field duty for the 1968 Tet Offensive, one of the largest military campaigns of the war when Communist troops attacked several provincial capitals, including Saigon.

During the Battle of Hue City, a significant turning point in the war, Maynard suffered yet another hit, this one in his neck in the carotid artery.

“A medical corpsman saved my life,” Maynard said. “A medevac helicopter picked me up on the battlefield and got me to a hospital in Da Nang is 22 minutes. They told me that I would have bled to death in 25 minutes.”

Later, he came home to the Philadelphia Naval Hospital.

After two years and nine months in the Marines, Maynard was medically retired at the rank of lance corporal.

His memberships include the Post #2497, McKean County Veterans of Foreign Wars in Smethport and the Bucktail Post #138, where he is a pastcommander.

Maynard has participated in the opening ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall’s appearance in Smethport on June 1-5, 2006.

Earlier this year, he took part in the unveiling of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Smethport’s Hamlin Lake Park by placing a wreath at the permanent marker that lists the McKean County veterans who died in that controversial war.

Betula resident reflects on naval service to Antarctica

By FRAN DE LANCEY Era Correspondent delancey401@yahoo.com

SMETHPORT — Barton “Mel” Bauer of Norwich Township left high school in his senior year to join the U.S. Navy, where he served from 1946-48.

Years after the war, Bauer, determined to receive his high school diploma, earned enough credits to graduate with the Class of 2012 at Knoch Area High School in Saxonburg, Butler County.

As a crew member of the USS Pine Island AV-12, a seaplane tender, he sailed for the Antarctic in support of Operation Highjump that began on Aug. 26, 1946 and ended in late February 1947. Among its objectives was to determine the feasibility of establishing, maintaining and utilizing bases in the Antarctic.

“We had seaplanes on board, but

Barton "Mel" Bauer of Norch Township there was no flat deck, just a landing area that was cleared of two five-inch

guns for a landing deck for a helicopter,” Bauer said. Also, there were four

PBMs — patrol bomber flying boats — and two cranes that could hoist the planes to the water. The PBMs weighed 28 tons when fully supplied, and when they were hoisted, the ship leaned to one side.” Rescue boats took the planes out to clear water to start their flights.

The ship left Norfolk for the South Pole in November 1946 and went through the Panama Canal, the first of two trips. The crew’s objective was to photograph the coastline of Antarctica, according to Bauer.

“I was assigned to the ship’s carpentry shop, and that’s where I actually earned the carpentry trade,” Bauer said. With those skills, Bauer owned and operated his own business, Saxony Construction and Development Inc., in Saxonburg and was a carpentry instructor for three years at the Federal Correctional Institution-McKean, before retiring at age 65.

Bauer remembers there was “a lot of lumber on the ship.” One memory that he recalled with a grin: “We didn’t build the butcher block tables, but we had to sand them every so often to remove the grease and dough.”

On the return voyage from Antarctica, the USS Pine Island returned to its home port, San Diego, Calif.

Bauer’s naval service also took him to Guam, Okinawa, Wake, Shanghai and Rio de Janeiro.

Long active in volunteer fire companies, Bauer holds 65 years of continuous membership in the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Department. Since he and his wife, Dottie, relocated to the Betula area, he is a past-president and past-vice-president of the Norwich Township Volunteer Fire Department, where he also is a fire policeman.

Bauer belongs to the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Remembering the service of Devlin Barkley’s Air Force service detailed

SMETHPORT (EC) — U.S. Air Force veteran, Harry Barkley, a Smethport resident since 1976, and whose military service spanned 1972-77, attained the rank of Airman First Class when he was honorably discharged.

A native of Westmoreland County, where he graduated from Derry Area High School, Barkley received his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in 1972. He then was sent to technical school in Denver for advanced training as an inventory management specialist.

After a year and a-half at the former Griffis Air Force Base in Rome, N.Y. — it was closed in 1995 — Barkley was released from active duty and transferred to the active reserves, assigned to the 109th Tactical Airlift Group, in Schenectady, N.Y., where he remained until his discharge.

Back in civilian life, Barkley worked for the former Jaguar Manufacturing Co. in Smethport and the former Casey Cole Chevrolet in Bradford. He retired from the Pittsburgh Corning plant in Port Allegany in 2011 after 34 Harry Barkley years as a machinist. of Smethport In the community, Barkley belongs to the Smethport American Legion and is a member and chaplain of the McKean County American Legion Riders.

He also is treasurer of the Regular Baptist Church in Smethport and is a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association.

Barkley and his wife, Maureen are the parents of two children.

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Happy Veterans Day

Staff Sergeant William M. Devlin 9th Infantry Division First U.S. Army European Theater of Operations World War II After joining the military, as did many others, Devlin trained in the Carolinas with the Airbourne Infantry at Camp McCall and other bases, as a glider trooper, many of which served in the invasion of Europe on D-Day June 4, 1944.

He was deployed to England in the spring of 1944 for further training that would turn out to be the invasion on D-Day. As happens a lot of times, because of a screw up in orders, Devlin was transferred to the 9th infantry division instead of the glider troops, prior to the invasion.

Instead of landing with the glider troops as trained, he landed June 9, 1944, three days after D-Day, with the 9th infantry division without very much opposition from the enemy.

After landing, his unit proceeded into Europe with very little opposition from the Germans, through France and Belgium during the summer of 1944 until around Thanksgiving 1944 at which time their unit was served Thanksgiving dinner.

When arriving at the German border, they found the German infantry dug-in at the village of

Staff Sergeant William M. Devlin Eschweiler. This being the case, Devlin’s superior officers opted to send in 15 tanks ahead of their infantry attack, which was to be approximately 24 men under Devlin’s command across an open field.

As Devlin was organizing his men, he could hear the 15 tanks warming their engines and he thought, this attack should be fairly easy. But as he thought this and started the attack, the tanks shut down their engines and Devlin started his attack without them. As his attack progressed the entrenched Germans picked off his men one by one with rifle fire, in fact Devlin got 3 or 4 bullet holes through the stock of his rifle. He decided to hit the dirt in a slight depression in the ground about 30 yards from the

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Germans. Doing this hid Devlin, except for his pack at which the enemy kept sniping, but did not hit him. They then tried shooting mortar shells straight up so they explode over him. One of them exploded over him took off his right left leg below the knee and also gave him a serious head wound on the right side.

Devlin used his belt as a tourniquet, really got mad, cursed the Germans, grabbed his severed leg by the ankle and threw it at them. Devlin and his men lay out in the field for a few more hours. The tanks then started up the Germans fled. Four men lay seriously wounded and 20 were killed, all because the officers did not release the tanks until much too late.

Devlin was then taken to Paris, France, where he underwent a couple of surgeries prior to being sent stateside and then on to Battle Creek, Mich., where he underwent more surgeries prior to his receiving an artificial leg.

He also received treatment of his head wound as well as necessary rehab treatment, which took about an additional year and a half.

He had spent approximately 2 1/2 years in the service when he was hit and 1 1/2 years of treatment of his wounds making his total service time 4 years. He was discharged in 1947, finished college, got married in 1949, raised children and joined the world once again as many others had done before him.

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Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014 • 11

Somber ceremony remembers those who served their country

By RUTH BOGDAN Era Reporter r.bogdan@bradfordera.com One cannot help but feel somber respect for those buried amongst the rows of flags. The small banners, symbols of sacrifice to country, quietly ripple in the wind, marking the gravesites of local servicemen and women.

Each spring, local veterans’ groups take special care to honor their own departed members by placing an American flag at each of the ever-increasing number of veteran graves. This, of course, is in addition to ceremonies to mark occasions like Memorial Day and Veterans Day. In general, the flags go up for Memorial Day and are taken down around Veterans Day before the snow comes.

McKean County sets aside money to purchase each flag, as well as to maintain each grave, said Matt Windsor, director of Veterans Services in McKean County. He explained that as director, he is in charge of seeing that flags are purchased and dispersed to each organization throughout the county that places flags in cemeteries.

Windsor said the county handed out about 8,560 flags in 2013. He added an average of about 150 veterans pass away each year.

The county also budgets about $2 a year for care to each gravesite, and each year Windsor sends checks to cemeteries throughout the county to compensate them for tasks such as mowing.

At “about 1,500 veterans and growing,” the local chapter of Disabled American Veterans is in charge of decorating the McKean County cemetery with the greatest number of veterans — McKean Memorial Cemetery in Lafayette Township.

“The least that we can do is go up and honor them,” said Gary Fuller, the DAV’s adjutant.

Fuller said the group will

probably go to the cemetery around Nov. 15 to remove the flags to accommodate for people who have work or school.

This year, as in most years, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts will help remove the flags from McKean Memorial Park. Fuller said in the past, he’s asked the county for help from people who have to perform community service hours, but he said he won’t need to this year.

Fuller explained the county provides markers that show what war and what dates a serviceman or woman served. Those markers stay at the gravesites all year.

The DAV makes “sure that everybody has a flag and all the new graves are found.” Once the grave of a new veteran is found and indicated with a marker, they are much easier to find in following years. The cemetery’s groundskeepers help the group keep track of new graves, which Fuller said can take hours to find.

“We’ve been very lucky to have the groundskeepers we have right now,” said Fuller.

“They keep us pretty much up to date.”

In Bradford City, American Legion Post #108 and Lt. John C. Roche VFW Post #212 take care of honoring deceased local veterans.

Matt Wilber, commander of Lt. John C. Roche Post #212, said his organization is in charge of placing flags in Willow Dale and Oak Hill cemeteries.

“Basically, we coordinate with youngsters around the area,” Wilber explained. This includes Boy Scouts and grade school children from Bradford Area School District. He said one of the local teachers even uses the project as part of the curriculum.

Wilber said members of the Post #212 go with the students and they work together to place the flags. “It’s great because most of our guys are getting very old,” said Wilber. “Those

little kids can run up and down those hills. They do a good job.”

Meanwhile, Pete O’Donohoe, commander of American Legion Post #108, said students at St. Bernard Elementary/Middle School help Legion members put flags up at St. Bernard Cemetery. They usually do this a couple of days before Memorial Day. O’Donohoe explained, “The flags are to be displayed from the 30th of May (Memorial Day) to the 11th of November each year at the cemetery gravesides of all veterans. The American flag and all the service flags are representative of all the Armed Forces.” He said the flags are flown when service bands play or a new building is being dedicated.

He added, “The flag plays an important part of a veteran’s burial. It is placed over the coffin until the end of ceremonies, when it is presented to the next of kin.”

When the flags placed on gravesites at Memorial Day are ready to come down, St. Bernard Cemetery caretakers remove them and stack them up, and the Legion takes them to Port Allegany to be burned, according to O’Donohoe.

O’Donohoe explained there is a plot of ground at the Moose Lodge of Port Allegany Park, which is near the Port Allegany VFW/Legion, that is dedicated to holding flagburning ceremonies.

“This is a memorial donated for flag-burning so that honor bestowed upon the flag will be maintained and properly done,” said O’Donohoe.

“The American Legion and the VFW have drop-off points for the flags in their buildings.

Old Glory is flown 24 hours a day, and there is a tombstone honoring the burial site for the ashes that are placed in the hole in front of the tombstone.”

Photo courtesy of Commander Pete O’Donohoe Ceremonies to respectively burn old American and military flags are often held at the Moose Lodge of Port Allegany Park, where ashes from the flags are buried by a memorial stone. From left, Pete O’Donohoe, Bradford American Legion Post #108 commander, stokes the fire pit to make sure the entire flag is burned, while Dave Nolf, Post #108 Sergeant of Arms, holds a flag that is ready to be retired. The Legion burned approximately 200 flags that day.

Pete O’Donohoe joined the Army on Dec. 3, 1954, assigned to HQ Co. 188th Air Borne Inf. Regiment Fort Lampell, Ky. He graduated from Jump School and went overseas to Augsberg, Germany. He was sent to jump master school in Munich, Germany and received his senior jumpwings. He had 36 jumps while in the airborne.

He was discharged Nov. 30, 1957, with the rank of sergeant. O’Donohoe was called back to active duty by Army Reserves in 1961 for the Cuban Crisis, and discharged in 1962 with permanent rank of Staff Sergeant E6. He is a life member of the V.F.W. and a 43-year member of the American Legion where he is serving his fourth year as post commander.

Wilder shares experience in the military while serving in Vietnam Shelby Wilder Bradford Spec. 4, U.S. Army Served in Vietnam War, 1970-71 Fire Support Base Nancy, 15 miles south of Quang Tri

One afternoon while going through inventory in the Enlisted Men’s Club at Fire Support Base Nancy, I heard a ruckus in the bar. (This support base was 15 miles south of Quang Tri, South Vietnam.) Right away, I knew it had something to do with B Battery which had been down for R&R from Fire Base Barbara.

There was a hidden door off the bar and I saw a couple guys had two Vietnamese girls about 12- to 14-years-old in the corner behind the bar, trying to grope them. The girls were very scared.

While everyone else was distracted, I slipped out and caught the guys off guard, scared them, and most of them took off. I told the rest of the guys to leave or they would be in trouble.

The girls were scared, so I took them up to S4, (the offices) and they took care of them from there. The girls said they didn’t want any trouble.

One day a couple weeks later, when the girls were cleaning my hooch, I could hear them giggling and talking excitedly.

“Old man, old man,” they said, and handed me a couple pieces of paper. (I was called “old man” because I was one of the oldest GIs at the support base.) It was an invitation from the village priest to come to dinner at his house.

After getting approval from S4, everything was set for an afternoon supper. The girls came and got me and we walked to the village about a half mile away. Everybody was dressed up and I got to thinking of what a big deal this must be. And I started to think about any VC that might be in the village, and the girls said, “Old man, don’t worry, no VC tonight, no VC tonight!”

The back entrance to the village was decorated, and a courtyard was in the center. The people seemed excited to see me, and the kids were running up to me and bowing. I felt like I was PFC Thomas Pessia of Bradford entered the U.S. Army Airborne unit in 1953. Joining the 11th airborne unit, he was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. In 1954 they flew to Alaska for a training session. On his back is the main parachute; in the front is the reserve chute; strapped to his sides are show shoes, a rifle and in a large bag is his kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and sleeping bag. The white clothing was for camouflage. A twoman tent was called a shelter half, and had no heat. The temperature was minus 40 degrees and the snow was 40 inches deep. The snow shoes were needed to stay on top of the snow.

Shelby Wilder

The girl who Shelby Wilder references in his story.

in a movie. A little later a boy came up and touched me and the girls said, “old man, old man,” and the little boy laughed. I said, “no, no, I John Wayne,” and all the kids laughed.

The event was at the priest’s house, a pleasant looking home. It was dark inside, and about a dozen people sat at a long table. They came up and shook my hand. One man was running around, blessing the table and the food.

I sat next to the priest and the two girls sat on my other side. When things finally settled down, we began the dinner with wine. The girls had told me about the food, but I never expected anything like I was served — fish heads, gravy, and a dish that looked little tiny Swedish meatballs. This main course, served with a lot of rice, was very hard to get down.

For dessert, I was pleasantly surprised as it was a little like a cherry Slurpee and also helped to hold the food down.

We talked and they interpreted. I told them what a beauti-

ful country they had and I was sorry we had to be there to interrupt their lives, and I hoped the American people would follow through with their promises.

After getting blessed, shaking hands and saying goodbye, somebody came out of a little room and gave me a plaque that said, thank you. “Thank you for helping our girls.”

Somehow it got lost in being shipped home.

The girls walked me halfway home, back to the gates of the fire base. As I was walking home I felt pretty proud and happy that they had done this for me. I felt very honored.

All I knew was, if they had been my daughters, I would not have wanted them to be treated that way.

When B Battery left the area, a couple of the guys stopped in to apologize.

If the truth were known, the meal was probably served by the VC.

Michael J. Dennis, Vietnam era veteran, Airman First Class, E4. Born in Bradford, he served in the U.S. Air Force Security Service from 1963-1969. He attended the USAF East European language program at Syracuse University, studying intensive Russian language and Russian military terminology. He was stationed at the 6910th Security Wing, Damstadt, Germany, from 1964 to 1967 monitoring Russian military voice communications and reporting information to the NSA.

Frank T. Organski, U.S. Navy Seaman 1 Class of Hazel Hurst, Pa.

12 • Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014

Cpl. Arick Dylan Close, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines.

He fought in Iraq, mainly in Ramadi and Hit. He had to leave his teaching position at George G. Blaisdell Elementary School when his unit was activated. The school district held his position while he was away, and the students and faculty sent him many cards and care packages when on active duty. Close survived Iraq, however 42 other Marines he served with did not. He was very thankful for the support from his hometown of Bradford, while he was at war in 2004-2005.

In June of 1943, at the age of 19, Frank J. Phillips was inducted into the army. In training he attained the mark of sharpshooter. His regiment was sent to England in June of 1944; a month later they landed in northern France and began combat operations. As part of General Patton’s third army he saw action in a number of major battles, among these; the drive to secure northern France, where he was wounded and was treated on the battlefirld by a retreating German military doctor-as one of the first regiments to reach the area of the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) after the German assault had begun-the push into Germany in February and March of 1945.

Above, from Seaman First Class Richard Mansoor, the U.S.S. Wisconsin BB64 just after a snowstorm, Korea, 1951. At right, Richard Mansoor, seaman first class U.S. Navy, Korea, 1951.

Harwell Robert South of Clarksville, Tenn. and Evelyn Maben South Roberts of Bradford, Pa. Both joined the U.S. Army during World War II, met and married. Evelyn returned home to give birth to son Robert, and Harwell went to Germany, where he was wounded during the war. He later served as a guard during the Nuremberg William Jaros, taken outside the barracks in September war trials.

1961.

Sam Sylvester of Bradford served as a Senior Chief Petty Officer with the U.S. Navy. He joined after graduation in 1954 and proudly served his country for 22 years. He is pictured with Kathy Sylvester of 9 Nookside Lane, Bradford.

David Skillman of Bradford served as a private-apprentice with the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1957 on board the USS DeMoines CA-134.

Corporal Adrian Vincent Scott, Co.K 187th ABN. RCT Japan, a paratrooper, served in Korea guarding prisoners. He went to PRCHT Jump school and ranger training and earned a Sharpshooter badge (rifle).

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

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Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014 • 13

Legacy of service in Stroup, Whiteman families

By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER Era Associate Editor marcie@bradfordera.com A small-town boy could see the world, serve his country, and secure job training and a future for himself in the U.S. military.

And in the Stroup and Whiteman families, he could continue a legacy of service. Shirley Stroup Whiteman, a native of Westline and resident of Rixford, said of her family, “A bunch of kids sure did do their duty.”

Her father, Daniel Arthur Stroup Sr., served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Oklahoma before World War I. And five of her brothers served as well. Wade Stroup was a Merchant Marine, serving on the famous Liberty Ships. He graduated from the Maritime Academy in New London, Conn., with his officer’s commission and engineering license.

Daniel Arthur Stroup Jr. served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War; Gail Stroup served in the U.S. Army, serving three tours in the Vietnam War; David Stroup served in the U.S. Navy onboard the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard; and John Stroup served in the U.S. Army, spending time in England and Germany.

Her father-in-law, Leslie Austin Whiteman, served prior to World War I in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Constellation and U.S.S. Vermont.

Her husband, Donald Whiteman, served in the U.S. Army at the end of World War II in the Philippines and Guam. Five of her sons served as well.

David Whiteman served from 1968 to 1972 in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Piedmont in the 7th fleet out of Long Beach, Calif., with an eight-month deployment to the Philippines.

James Whiteman served in the Army at U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr, Germany.

Terry Whiteman served in the Army at U.S. Army Garrison Mannheim in Heidelberg, Germany from 1975-1978.

Daniel Whiteman served in the U.S. Air Force from July 1972 to August 1976, with permanent duty at Air Training Command Williams Air Force Base, Mesa, Ariz., and 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, Tactical Air Command, 401st FMS Torrejo Air Force Base in Spain.

Jeff Whiteman served briefly in the U.S. Army until an injury caused his discharge.

Shirley Whiteman also has a grandson, Jamie Swift, who currently serves as an operations sergeant in the U.S. Army in Seoul, Korea; and a son-in-law, Kirk Schellhammer, who served in the U.S. Navy in the Mediterranean on the U.S.S. Guadalcanal in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Provide Comfort. Numerous nieces and nephews have also served.

Dan Whiteman

Leslie Whiteman

Dan Stroup Sr.

Don and Shirley Whiteman

David Stroup

Dan Stroup Jr.

David Whiteman

Terry Whiteman

James Whiteman

Kirk Schellhammer

Gail Stroup

Happy Veterans Day Thank you for your service

John Stroup

Donald Whiteman

14 • Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014

Frank J. Fire, a technical sergeant was a veteran of World War II, entering the U.S. Army medical detachment, 9th infantry division and serving from 1942-45.

Anthony F. Monti of Bradford enlisted in the U.S. Army While in the service, he served in Normandy, Northern Shipfitter First Class George G. Krakat of Olean, N.Y., on March 20, 1942, and attained the rank of platoon France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe camU.S. Navy, 1942-1948. sergeant before being commissioned an officer in the paigns. transportation corps. He made 11 TransAtlantic voyages in Liberty ships, and served in North Africa, Italy, France, and England. He attained the rank of first lieutenant and was honorably discharged Jan. 11, 1946. He died in 2003.

Kevin K. Atkinson, E3 specialist, has served eight years with the U.S. Navy. He lives in Bradford, is married to Angel Atkinson, and is the father to Mearlyn, Clarissa and Dustin. Atkinson is the son of Gloria Atkinson o Bradford and the late Alan Atkinson.

Master sergeant Michael G. Krakat of Bradford, U.S. Air Force, 1970-1997

Joseph E. Null Sr. of Bradford served as a 3rd Class Petty Officer of the Seabees branch of the Navy in World War II, During that conflict, he was stationed at Honolulu, Hawaii, the Solomon Islands, and Okinawa, Japan. In addition, during the last few weeks of the war, before anyone he was serving with knew about the atomic bombs to be dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the division he was in was told members would be invading Japan and that only a small percentage of them would survive. After the bombing, the Seabees he was with did not go into Japan.

Carolyn Hoffman Coulter, 91, of Kane, who served in the U.S. Army.

For every moment of peace, liberty and greatness our country enjoys, we have someone who has worn the uniform to thank

Senior master sergeant Lynda Krakat, from Fairfield, Calif., and now lives in Bradford, U.S. Air Force, 19812007. She lives with her dog Sam.

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Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014 • 15

Francis L. Kuntz, U.S. Navy, World War II, served for two and a half years. Now deceased, he was a St. Marys native.

Gerald A. Kuntz, U.S. Marine Corps, World War II, three and a half years of service. Now deceased, he was a St. Marys native.

Joseph P. Kuntz, U.S. Army, Korean War, served for two years. Now deceased, he was a St. Marys native.

John E. Kuntz, U.S. Navy radioman, World War II, three years of service. Now deceased, he had been a resident of St. Marys.

Edward Kuntz, U.S. Army, Third Armored Division Combat Engineer, Cold War, two years of service. He is a resident of St. Marys.

John A. Kuntz, U.S. Army, World War I, served for two years. Now deceased, he was a resident of St. Marys.

James Kuntz of St. Marys served in the U.S. Army for 22 years.

Michael Lowell Whittemore was born March 25, 1938, in Eldred. He enlisted in 1959 and met his wife in the service. As part of his unit, he flew many missions over Vietnam during the Vietnam War and was based in Okinawa, Japan. In addition to his flying assignments, Col. Daniel Kontz, U.S. Army, Desert Storm, has Whittemore completed numerous special temporary served for 19 years and is still active. He is from St. duty ground combat assignments in Vietnam. After Marys. retiring honorably from the U.S. Air Force he worked for various government agencies, including Mitre Corp. where he worked on the Aegis Radar program and NASA where he worked on the Space Shuttle Colombia mission. He was presented with an American flag and an astronaut's wings badge that were aboard the Colombia, for his work on that mission. Some of his medals include the distinguished flying cross, seven air medals, Air Force commendation medal, five Air Force unit awards and eight Vietnam campaign medals. He retired as a master sergeant. He was laid to rest Oct. 17 in the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery with full honors. His brother and three sisters live in the Eldred/ Olean vicinity.

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16 • Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014

The Jason L. Dunham Warrior Barracks, named after a Scio, N.Y., Marine Corps soldier, who was posthumousSeveral motorcycles park at the LEEK Preserve after a ly awarded the medal of honor for covering a grenade motorcycle run to help raise funds to bring wounded with his body to save his fellow soldiers, was added to warriors to the property for outdoor recreational oppor- the L.E.E.K. Preserve several years ago to accommodate soldiers during their stay at the preserve. tunities.

L.E.E.K. Preserve helps veterans

The late Stanley G. Black of Bradford served as a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. He died Jan.23 2013.

He participated in every Veterans Day parade as well as Memorial Day and was proud of his uniform and honored his country in any way he could. He served in Vietnam and Korea eras.

By AMANDA JONES Era Correspondent amandajonesera@yahoo.com

COUDERSPORT — In Potter County, a group of dedicated volunteers are working to help wounded and disabled veterans by providing instruction in outdoor recreational activities.

The L.E.E.K. Hunting and Mountain Preserve, located just outside of Oswayo in Potter County, brims with amenities designed to help wounded and disabled veterans regain confidence and learn coping skills by teaching them to hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors.

L.E.E.K. hosts four hunts per year: Spring Gobbler season in May; Blackpowder (Muzzleloader) season in late October; bear season in late November and Winter Whitetail Deer season in mid-December.

For this year’s October hunt, five individuals were housed on site, with all of them harvesting a deer during their four-day stay.

The retired soldiers also hunted for pheasant at the preserve.

This year’s deer were cleaned at the newly-constructed Game Processing Center, built through a grant from the Home Depot.

Former participant Jack Knouse now serves as a volunteer whenever he is available, and touts the program as a great opportunity for returning servicemen.

“I saw an advertisement in a magazine for L.E.E.K., and I called because I really wanted to help,” Knouse stated, “This is a great, fabulous, organization. I just wanted to be involved. There are active duty guys that use their leave to come out here and help out.”

The L.E.E.K. Preserve is located in beautiful northern Potter County, with scenic vistas spreading out in all directions from the bunk house where the wounded warriors are housed during the trip, the Jason L. Dunham Warrior Barracks.

All structures and amenities on the grounds have been constructed by volunteers and through the support of generous donations from individuals and organizations throughout the county and across the region.

In addition to the barracks and game processing center, the grounds have indoor shooting benches for the rifle range, a fully handicapped-accessible separate bunk house with space enough to accommodate a caretaker or spouse traveling with the warrior, a pavilion, and an all-terrain, fully-tracked electric wheelchair for use by participants unable to walk the rugged trails and mountains of the large preserve..

L.E.E.K. was started by Lew and Ed Fisher and their wives,

Elaine and Kate, and the name is derived from the initials of the founders’ first names. The land was purchased to realize a dream of Lew and Ed’s father, who was an amputee and wanted to see a place that would help those who had similar issues.

After Ed Fisher left the military, he heard of Project Healing Waters, a similar program benefiting wounded serviceman, and knew how he could help.

“After I retired, I really missed the military, and my wife and I decided to do something for the veterans — some of them are really torn up after duty,” Fisher stated. “There’s a need to help these kids when they’re coming home.”

The preserve began with just over 100 acres of land, but has expanded over the last seven years to include more than 250 acres of pristine wilderness. The organization works with local property owners to offer thousands of additional acres for the program.

L.E.E.K. Preserve recently received the 2012 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award, following nomination by the U.S. Navy.

The award program, established in 1996, is gifted in honor of a private sector individual or organization that has demonstrated exceptional patriotism and humanitarian concerns for members of the armed forces and their families.

The group’s biggest fundraiser of the year is the annual open house and motorcycle dice run, held in June. The event includes a silent auction, live auction, vendors, displays, several sit-down meals, food and beverages. This year’s event saw the dedication of a new trap shooting range, and improvements are expected to continue.

Taking care of veterans comes naturally to the residents of northcentral Pennsylvania, as is evidenced by the volunteers at L.E.E.K. Preserve and the multitude of local organizations that help support it.

L.E.E.K. also works with the God’s Country Chapter of Project Healing Waters, which organizes Potter County fishing trips for wounded and disabled veterans, and service organizations including the American Legion, VFW, Patriot Guard and the Nam Knights, and is active at Potter County Patriot Weekend and other events held in the area.

Countless volunteers work tirelessly to organize events and raise money to support local veteran support efforts, and generous donors continue to support these important organizations in recognition of the sacrifices made for America’s freedoms.

“It’s a way of life here in this area to honor our servicemen; we hold that particular behavior as part of our culture,” said Commissioner Susan Kefover.

Marcott recalls military service Richard Marcott, Captain U.S. Coast Guard, Retired.

Bradford, PA.

Stephen J Schiappa Sr. of Bradford served as a sergeant E4 in the U.S. Air Force from May 1979 to May 1983 at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii.

Staff sergeant Frank P. Cicerello of Bradford, shown, U.S. Air Force, radio operator to Gen. Douglas MacArthur, South West Pacific Area. He died Jan. 12, 2009. Ralph S. Cicerello, USAF, Bradford, SW Pacific Area

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Glenn Arthur Williams of Smethport entered the Army on April 19, 1943, and was honorably discharged on Dec 6, 1945 with a rank of private first class. After completion of basic training, Williams qualified as a cannoneer and gun crewman. He was a crew member 155 mm Howitzer and also a 6 in Howitzer. He assisted in moving, emplacing, firing, displacing and withdrawing the piece in combat operations. He was a carbine marksman, and, served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He was awarded the Purple Heart for a wound received in Belgium. During his time in the Army, Williams was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 5 bronze stars and the World War II Victory Medal. On June 7, 2014, family and friends gathered to celebrate his 90th birthday.

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I had the pleasure of serving on active duty in the Coast Guard for twenty-eight years. That’s enough time for a few story telling experiences. While at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. I sailed the three masted barque Eagle, partied with Ernest Hemingway in Havana, and sang on the Perry Como show. In my active duty career, I commanded units at sea and ashore, and served on both coasts, and on Okinawa. In 1957, I was a deck watch officer on the USCGC Absecon when she was on-scene-commander in the tragic search for survivors of the German sail training ship Pamir, a victim of Hurricane Carrie. In 1969, I conducted law enforcement boardings on Russian factory vessels while on Alaskan Fisheries Patrol in the Bering Sea. There are too many stories in between for here. I retired as Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Training Center, Petaluma, CA in 1985 and returned home to Bradford to begin my third life— a work in progress.

Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014 • 17

Mader recounts service while in Coast Guard

By FRAN DE LANCEY Era Correspondent delancey401@yahoo.com

Smethport’s Pete Mader was offered an academic appointment to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy after he graduated from high school, but declined the offer since the waiting period would have been a year. Instead, he opted to enlist in this branch, the nation’s smallest military service.

The nation’s oldest lifesaving service, the Coast Guard is an amalgamation of five former distinct federal services. On Jan. 15, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act that created the Coast Guard that combined the Life-Saving Service and Revenue Cutter Service. The Coast Guard is a military service because during wars or conflicts, the President can transfer any or all of its assets to the Navy Department.

The Coast Guard is now part of the Department of Homeland Security. Its motto is “Semper Paratus,” Always Ready. A familiar saying for

Pete Mader of Smethport Coast Guardsmen and women that shows the risks and dangers of their maritime duties is “You have to go out, but you don’t have to come back.”

This service does more than patrol waterways. Its mission is to protect the public environmental and the nation’s economic interests in U. S. ports and waterways, along coasts, on international waters or in any maritime region as required to support national security.

For instance, on an average day the Coast Guard seiz-

es 209 pounds of marijuana and 170 pounds of cocaine, valued at $9.2 million; saves 14 lives; intercepts 176 illegal migrants; and saves $2.9 million in property.

Mader enlisted under the Coast Guard’s unique recruiting program, the “buddy plan,” that allows the recruit and a friend, another recruit, to go through basic training together. “A friend of mine that I played football with in high school enlisted and we completed boot camp together,” Mader said.

Two months after he graduated from Chambersburg Area High School in 1980, Mader began eight weeks of basic training at the USCG Training Center, Cape May, N.J. After the seventh week of basic training, Mader’s recruit class had a weekend liberty, which, as luck would have it, coincided with a five-mile race through Cape May, a National Historic Landmark.

“We had trained for regimental running all through boot camp,” Mader said. “That particular weekend, our

entire company, competing as a group ran in step — left, right, left, right — in formation for the entire five miles.

At the time, that was the longest distance I had ever run in my life.”

After Saturday’s liberty, the recruits were required to return to the training center.

During boot camp, Mader’s appearance changed — his hair was cut short and he was leaner, having run constantly throughout the eight weeks.

He said, “On graduation day, my parents didn’t recognize me and walked right by me,” he recalled with a laugh.

Mader reported to Atlantic Beach, N.C., for his first duty assignment and served aboard the Coast Guard Cutter, Chilula, which was about 205 feet long.

While on one of its drug interdiction patrols in South Florida, the Chilula’s crew arrested some narcotics smugglers.

On another mission — off Massachusetts and Maine — Mader was a crew member that enforced international waters’ regulations and

boundaries, often 600 miles out, checking permits of ships harvesting fish, making sure they actually had the right to be there.

Mader spent seven months in North Carolina before reporting to Training Center Petaluma in northern California for advanced training to make rate for advancement. He said, “I was trained as a radioman in the days before computers. At that time, our equipment was state-of-the-art, but is definitely outdated now. I don’t think the job of radioman even exists today.”

Mader graduated second in his class and was sent to Group Buffalo, where he spent twoand-a-half years. Among his harrowing experiences on the Niagara River and Lake Erie were answering distress calls; such search and rescue missions that sometimes involved body recoveries.

In 1984, shortly before his tour of duty was over, Mader was among the Coast Guardsmen who were sent to the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles as part of the

security force. “There was some worry that the Russians, who boycotted those games, possibly in revenge for the U. S.-led boycott of the 1984 games, might cause disruption of the games. We already had a Coast Guard base in that area, and we were there as a precautionary measure.”

Mader spent the last month of his enlistment in Texas at San Padre Island.

Upon his return to civilian life, Mader attended Millersville University of Pennsylvania before transferring to The Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry science.

He worked for the Centre County Conservation District as a resource technician for four years.

Mader is now in his 22nd year as a waterways conservation office with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, with responsibilities in McKean County and a section of Potter County.

Mader and his wife, Julie, a well-known local artist, are the parents of two daughters.

Hallock shares thoughts, poem about military service Master sergeant Jamie M. Hassek has made a career in the U.S. Marine Corps. A graduate of Bradford Senior High, he enlisted in 1994 soon after graduation. He is stationed with his family at Quantico, Va., as the Marine Corps Recruiting Command Officer Candidates School Liaison.

On Sept. 11, 2001, when history of unprecedented proportions began, I first heard words like: “Axis of evil," “WMDs," “Global war on terror," and the one I most feared “Shock and Awe." As ironic as it may be today, I listened to then Illinois then-State Sen. Barack Obama in a speech in Chicago state, “I don’t oppose all wars . . . What I am opposed to is a dumb war . . . A war based not on reason but on passion, not on principle but on politics.” – October 2002.

Two months later Defense Secretary Rumsfeld spoke with troops in Kuwait stating, “As you know, you go to war with the Army you have. They’re not the Army you might want or wish to have at a later time.” – December 8, 2002 Then I waited for the call. My son was stationed with his battalion at Camp Lejeune, N.C. It was not long before the call came. 3/10 India Battery was being deployed to Iraq. A family trip to N.C. was in order. I began cooking. We loaded up all the best meats from Lou’s Meat Market. We headed to Jacksonville to feed our Marine before his next mission.

I remember how my mind was so full of questions about this war. I knew that this country was about to ask our military to spend their blood and treasure again. I had to say goodbye to my son who was going off to fight in a foreign land that I knew so little about and I felt helpless.

Twenty-one days to Baghdad for a military mom felt like years long. The fears that

Nov. 2, 2005 February, two thousand three, has been an ominous date looming in my mind for nearly three years.

Looming as a day whose haunting reality I felt I might not survive.

Jamie departed to a country hundreds of miles from home, to what was to become a war that seemingly has no end.

I have his pair of boots from the days of “Shock & Awe." I’ve walked by them countless times, . . . . intentionally.

They are a remarkably poignant reminder of all of this.

But mostly, they remind me of Jamie and his journey.

I will shortly pack these boots away.

But with absolute care.

And unconditional love.

And I have made a deal with these And now I want to apologize, as a boots.

Recognizing the preciousness of limited mother, for being so asleep.

Because they brought Jamie home safedays, For being so cynical and complacent ly, my mind was racing with thought of that I let this country, I will work relentlessly, things I wanted to say. send him to this war.

To stop the hate and the destruction of Instead I sat speechlss watching him In what might have been my last hug, this nowhere-near-worth-it war. prepare his gear.

I left my tears on his shoulder.

So Jamie and all our brave troops can I had no wisdom to offer. untie their boots in peace.

I had when he left stayed with me long after he returned home safe. And the boots that he wo*re were left sitting by my front door as he returned to his duties stateside. They served as a constant reminder of things I couldn’t say to him the day he left to go to war. I wrote this poem so that I could place it with his boots and put them to rest.

As promised, I have kept them through the years. They are packed in an appropriately premarked box stamped: “Guardian Products."

A copy of this poem sits inside of one of the boots still carrying a small bit of Iraqi sand.

— Submitted by Neena L. Hallock of Bradford Township

Our country’s freedom is only as strong as those willing to serve and defend it.

Thank you for your courage, your loyalty and your sacrifice.

We are forever grateful.

Happy Veterans Day

Martin Causer

Instead I wanted to ask more of him.

I wanted to ask him to stay focused.

I wanted to ask him to not let his guard down – ever.

I wanted to ask him to do what he was trained to do.

I wanted to ask him to do what he needed to do to survive, and yet maintain his moral compass in the middle of it all.

I wanted to ask my son to do all of that.

78 Main Street, 1st Floor Bradford, PA 16701 814-362-4400 www.repcauser.com

77 N. Kendall • Bradford, PA • www.amref.com

We thank the brave men and women who risked their lives to preserve our freedom. Thank you for your service and have a Happy Veterans Day!

18 • Remembering Veterans • The Bradford (Pa.) Era • November 11, 2014

Remembering Bill Barton, who served in WWII Bill Barton is definitely worth remembering. He was born William Leroy Barton Jr. in Bradford, Pennsylvania on July 24, 1922, but resided in Smethport until 1966 when he moved to Florida to serve as a photographer for the Apollo Space Program.

During World War II, Bill, a B17 pilot with the 457th Air Group, was shot down over Germany on July 31, 1944. Shortly afterwards, his mother, Flora Barton, and Bill’s friend, Donna Okerlund (his future wife), received a telegram from the War Department informing them that Bill had been killed in action, and, that, of his crew of 10, only 3 had survived.

Fortunately, however, it was not

Bill Barton, front row, second from left.

to be. On Oct. 13, 1944, Flora and Donna each received a handwritten card from Bill (dated Aug. 3), telling them that he had not been killed; the Germans had captured him and two of his comrades and taken them to the Stalag Luft No. 1 Prison Camp in Barth, Germany. He also told his mother and Donna that if it hadn’t been for the Red Cross, he and his comrades would have starved to death. He asked them to contribute $25 to the Red Cross, which was a generous contribution at that time.

After Bill was liberated on May 1, 1945, he married Donna and traveled to Texas in order to correct his military records (he was still listed as dead) and obtain a discharge.

This turned into a long and frus-

trating ordeal, but, after providing additional information to include the location of his training in Valdosta, Georgia, he was officially discharged from Sheppard Field, Wichita Falls, Texas, on Dec. 5, 1945.

During his military career, Bill received several decorations and citations to include a Purple Heart, the European Theatre Operations’ American Defense Ribbon; the Good Conduct Ribbon and an Air Medal.

Not many have two death dates.

Bill “died” on July 31, 1944, and then 34 years later on Oct. 18, 1978. Also noteworthy is the fact that Bill also played major roles in Smethport’s 1953 Centennial celebration, as photographer, participant, and celebrant.

Richard A. Tracy, Bradford, served in the U.S. Army from March 1962 through May 1983. He retired as a master sergeant E-8. He was a maintenance mechanic, repairing Jeeps, trucks and tanks. He served at Fort Sill, Okla.; Fort Lewis, Washington; and Fort Hood, Texas; and one tour in Korea. Most of his service was in Germany. He was stationed in Berlin and saw President John Kennedy give his "Inch bin ein Berliner" speech June 1963.

He passed away Dec. 23, 2013.

Lance Cpl Robert Johnson of Hazel Hurst, U.S. Marine Corps

U.S. Army Cpl. Clinton J. Williams served from January 1943 to December 1945 in the 480th Anti-Aircraft Artillery in England, France and Germany. His hometown is Lehighton, and he is a resident of Smethport.

Hart pens memories

Petty officer third class Frank R Allen of Bradford, U.S. Navy, 1957-1961

After his retirement, Wildrick Hart wrote a booklet about his service experiences. He will be 95 this Christmas Eve, and his family moved him to Chapel Ridge this summer at his request. Hart piloted a B-24 Heavy bomber for 35 missions in the European Theater. "Needless to say I am extremely proud of my father and the 'greatest generation," said his son, Craig Hart.

These are ways to honor servicemen and women Men and women serving in the military make considerable sacrifices in defense of the United States and its citizens. Such sacrifices can easily be taken for granted by those with no friends or family members serving in the military, but it's important for all Americans to recognize the efforts of both active and veteran servicemen and women.

Honoring active military members and veterans does not have to be an elaborate undertaking.

Service members and their families often cherish even the simplest of gestures, and the following are a handful of ways grateful men and women can show their appreciation to active and retired members of the military. * Help a neighbor who's on active duty. Active duty service members can be away from their

families for long periods of time, and their absence can make things difficult for their families. Spouses of deployed service members are typically left to manage a household on their own for months at a time. Neighbors can show their appreciation by helping with some chores around the house. Offer to mow a neighbor's lawn or drive a neighbor's kids to school. Such gestures might seem small, but they can go a long way toward alleviating some of the stress that spouses of deployed service members deal with on a daily basis. * Support the Wounded Warrior Project. Many service members sustain physical injuries while deployed. The Wounded Warrior Project works to raise awareness and enlist the public's help to address the needs of injured service members. Men

VETERANS & FAMILIES THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE.

HAPPY VETERANS DAY! BRADFORD BRADFORD STORE STORE

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and women who want to show their appreciation to injured service members can work with the Wounded Warrior Project by volunteering at project-sponsored events or hosting fundraising events such as golf tournaments or community picnics. More information about working with the Wounded Warrior Project is available at www.woundedwarriorproject.org. * Write a letter of appreciation.

One of the simplest ways to show

your support for service members is to write them a letter expressing that appreciation. If a friends, relatives or neighbors are active service members or veterans, sit down and write a letter telling them how much you appreciate their sacrifice in service of their country, and encourage youngsters to do the same. If you don't know any members of the military, you can work with A Million Thanks (www.amillionthanks.org), a year-round campaign that encour-

ages Americans to write letters or emails or send cards or prayers to U.S. military personnel, past and present to thank them for their sacrifices, dedication and service. * Exercise your right to vote.

One of the best ways to honor servicemen and women is to avoid taking the rights they so bravely defend for granted. Members of the military routinely put their lives on the line so Americans can enjoy freedoms that many people across the globe cannot. Voting is

one such freedom, so Americans should make it a point to vote every ElectionDay and teach their kids about the responsibility each American has to vote and take an interest in their government. Speak with active and veteran members of the military about their thoughts on proposed legislation and their opinions on how to improve that legislation, taking those opinions into consideration before casting your vote.

Honoring Our Brave Veterans

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100 S. Davis St., Bradford, PA 16701 (814) 362-4501 or (800) 344-4656