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COM PANY K in WWI
aynesburg’s own Company K has had a vast reputation for bravery and heroism. The regiment dates back as far as the Civil War, and is even known to have been involved in the Mexican border chase of the famous Pancho Villa. Even with all of this storied history, perhaps their finest hour was being called upon to back the French resistance during the First World War. In April of 1917, the sixty-six man regiment was quickly brought up to wartime strength. That number grew to one hundred and fifty strong. The officers then had to work hard to weed out those that were not physically capable of meeting the harsh demand of trench warfare. The remaining soldiers of the regiment were then ready to “make the world safe for democracy,” as many of them proclaimed. A reception and garden party was held for the brave men at Mrs. T.J. Wisecarver’s home in Waynesburg. There, they sang the French national anthem, and were given a razor, shaving soap, and a box of talcum powder. The following day, the men marched from the armory to the Waynesburg and Washington railroad station. There were thousands in attendance to see the men off, scarcely realizing just how many wouldn’t make it back. Those who did return would forever be altered. The men went on to have a short stop at Camp Hancock, where they trained in trench construction, rifle practices, and maneuvers. While there, the unit swelled to over two hundred and fifty men. These men would later become known as “the Bloody Bucket Division.” Upon arrival in Europe, the men were introduced to a rundown, dirty camp for the allies. Bell shaped tents were sunk into the sand, and the men quickly became distraught with Soldier of Company K, 110th Regiment Infantry (formerly 3rd and 10th Infantry, Pennsylvania National Guard), just the conditions. Many complained that the sand would end up in everything from their eyes wounded, receiving first-aid treatment from a comrade. to their food. Not long after their arrival, they quickly met with the sounds of the German Varennes-en-Argonne, France., 09/26/1918 air raids, anti-aircraft guns, and the horrors of the war. Company K soon found themselves in an epic struggle to survive the massive German offensive. They were constantly shelled and gassed. They found themselves living day to day, forced to wear their protective gas masks. The masks were not only uncomfortable, but also annoying, making it much more difficult to fight. Company K’s greatest achievement was the taking of German lines atop Hill 230, which was a seven hundred-yard long slope of open ground. Atop the hill was a dense forest that the well-fortified German troops used to their advantage. Sniper fire accompanied excessive machine gun fire. If that wasn’t enough, mortars riddled the war zone. The allied advance was slow, and the losses for Company K were heavy, but their resolve would not waver. In the end, the forest was decimated, and the allied advance was responsible for the killing of four hundred Germans and the capture of many more. Company K’s place was forever cemented in the history of the Great War. “Monument en l’honneur des troupes américaines ayant participé à A quote is attributed to a member of a French division that witnessed the final firefight, saying: “That was the finest example of American heroism, l’offensive d’Argonne en 1918.” Varennes-en-Argonne, Meuse, France. discipline, and bravery that we have ever seen.” To the brave men of Company K, we salute you for your incredible service!
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OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2013
Heroes Run/Walk Raises Over $10,000
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ore than 250 individuals participated in the seventh annual Heroes Run/Walk, held Saturday, Sep. 21, along the Greene River Trail. The event raised more than $10,000 for memorial funds established in the names of two Greene County servicemen killed in Iraq. The race began at the trail starting point near the Greene Cove Yacht Club in Millsboro. Members of Carmichaels American Legion Post 400, Carmichaels VFW Post 3491 and Greene County Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 34 led the Pledge of Allegiance and a performance of “Taps.” More than 160 runners and walkers placed in the race, which included a 5K run, 5K walk and 15K run. Thanks to a partnership with Central Greene School District, more than 100 employees and family members registered for the race as runners, walkers or “sleepins,” in which those individuals paid a registration fee but did not attend the race. The school district’s efforts raised more than $3,000. All race proceeds benefit memorial funds established in the names of Army Spc. Gregory Cox of Carmichaels and Marine Lance Cpl. Steven Phillips of Spraggs, both of whom were killed in Humvee accidents in Iraq. Cox, 21, died in SeptemThe start of the seventh annual Heroes Run/Walk, held Saturday, Sept. 21, ber 2004, and Phillips, 27, died along the Greene River Trail in February 2006. The Spc. Gregory A. Cox Memorial Scholarship Fund assists Greene County high school graduates entering the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps or the fields of public safety or public service. The Lance Cpl. Steven Phillips Memorial Fund provides support for the computer-aided drafting program at the Greene County Career and Technology Center. Both funds are being handled by the Community Foundation of Greene County. Race proceeds also help fund the cost of transportation for Greene County veterans receiving treatment at the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System clinic in Pittsburgh. The Greene County Department of Recreation coordinates the race with the Cox and Phillips families. The race concluded with an awards ceremony at Greene Cove, during which prizes were given for the top three male and female runners and walkers overall, as well as the top three male and female runners and walkers in various age categories. Refreshments and a random drawing for prizes also followed the race. The overall winners in the 5K run were: • Male: First place, Walter Bennett, 47, of Belle Vernon. • Female: First place, Rebecca Phillips, 17, of Sycamore, 22:05.2. The overall winners in the 5K walk were: • Male: First place, Gerard Bertrand, 64, of Venetia. • Female: First place, Elizabeth Blayney, 29, of Carmichaels, 36:11.6. The overall winners in the 15K run were: • Male: First place, Douglas Basinski, 42, of Pittsburgh, 57:40.8. • Female: First place, Debbie Conner, 43, of Dunbar, 1:05:44.2. Heroes Run runners and walkers were timed by Miles of Smiles Timing Service of Ellwood City, Pa. Race results may be viewed online at www.smileymiles.com. Major sponsors of this year’s Heroes Run/Walk included the Greene County Commissioners, WalMart, Direct Results, Greene County Tourism, Greene Cove Marina and Rices Landing Volunteer Fire Company.
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USMC LCPL Joshua Kabay T
Welcome to the ‘Stan
By Shelly Brown he temperature is in excess of 100 degrees, the blazing sun continues to sear a land so dry and brittle, dust swirls with your every step. Your lips are parched, your throat is dry. You haven’t bathed or showered for weeks... months. You keep moving; with the weight of a 40 pound pack on your back, stopping is not an option. At this point, you could be one of a variety of people. An 1880s gold miner prospecting California’s Death Valley. You could be a refugee escaping the ravages of the Oklahoma dust bowl in 1930s America. You could be a videographer on assignment in the Sahara for National Geographic today. But this stage is not completely set. Let’s continue. That 40 pound pack on your back gets its weight from 800 rounds of ammunition for a 25 pound Bravo machine gun you are carrying in your arms, the flak jacket you wear over your desert camo fatigues weighs another 10 pounds and... bullets are whizzing within inches of your head as you search the blazing horizon for your hidden enemy... so you can shoot back. You are a US Marine Corp infantry man on patrol in a remote outpost in southern Afghanistan, performing your daily duty in an ongoing struggle to bring a life of human decency and liberty to a people victimized by terrorist oppression in their own land. Such was the life of USMC Lance Corporal Joshua Kabay and his comrades while serving combat duty in Deh Karez, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Feb – Sep 2011; a life that no words can truly describe, and one that can only be fully understood by those who have experienced it. Joshua Kabay, a 2009 graduate of Waynesburg Central High School, On patrol in the desert of Deh Karez, Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, US Marine LCPL Joshua Kabay fought with a 240 Bravo machine gun. knew that he would enter the service from the time he was a teenager. He grew up surrounded by veterans. “My dad, his dad, my mom’s dad, all my uncles, grandparents...they all served,” Joshua said, “When I turned 17 during my senior year, I enlisted newcomer to disaster relief, having served on a volunteer mission in New Orleans during the aftermath of in the delayed entry program.” Within days of his high school graduation, Joshua was on a bus to Parris Katrina, but this was a new experience. “It was unimaginable, a clearly wrecked country, so poor to begin Island, South Carolina, and the journey began. with and just completely leveled with destruction and death everywhere. We used toothpaste and Vicks Basic training and indoctrination behind him, it was shortly after Joshua “went into the fleet” that the in our nostrils to try to block the smell,” he recalls. He was in Haiti for about 6 weeks before boarding the world was rocked by the catastrophic earthquake occurring in Haiti on January 12, 2010, followed by days USS McHenry, stationed off shore for a month, then cruising by Cuba in a round-about return to the naval of further devastation from aftershocks. Joshua’s unit was dispatched to provide clean-up & security at the shipyard in Norfolk, and on the next phase of training for deployment to Afghanistan. US Army Base that was immediately established there to provide humanitarian services. Joshua was not a A year of intense instruction and preparation, including grueling maneuvers in the Mojave Desert can it be enough to provide accurate expectations? “We tried not to have expectations,” Joshua said. By February 2011, Josh’s platoon, from the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division of the US Marine Corp arrived at its FOB (Forward Operating Base) at Deh Karez. Twenty-one men, divided into two squads. “Our base was small, it would fit on the square of the Greene County Courthouse,” Joshua describes the space that was “home” to the people with whom he would spend the next seven months. “One squad would patrol one day while the other guarded the base, then the next day that squad would go on patrol.” Every day, for over 200 days, on foot in the desert, engaged in over 90 extended fire fights and hoping to avoid the hundreds of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) buried in the ground, a favored weapon of this enemy (two men from Joshua’s platoon were blown up by an IED, one losing his legs, the other suffering serious injury to the upper torso). The only break came during the annual poppy harvest. Afghanistan is the largest producer of illicit opium in the world.1 For 3-4 weeks around April, insurgent attacks nearly ceased during the poppy harvest, the source of opium which is refined into heroin, and the major source of funding for the Taliban. When the harvest was concluded, however, the fighting resumed with fervor. “The first enemy contact we had after the poppy harvest was a mortar launch right into our base. It blew up our chow hall. And our dog. Lily was her name,” Joshua recalls. The fighting continued. You cannot really learn from this brief description what it is like to live the life of a combat soldier in Afghanistan…or Iraq, Kuwait, Viet Nam, Korea, France, Germany...any of the places around this world, and even on our own blood stained land in this country. What you can learn from this story is that these people - veterans like Joshua Kabay, those who came before him and those who will come after him – these people are our real heroes who commit their very lives to the fight for freedom from oppression. The necessary fight for Adopted pet of the 1st platoon, 3/2 India Company on base at Deh Karez, Lily, was a casualty of an enemy missile launch. the liberties we enjoy and too often take for granted. For us, and for our brothers and sisters around the world, celebrate these heroes. Love them. Thank them. 1 Export value of about $4 billion, with a quarter being earned by opium farmers and the rest going to district officials, insurgents, warlords, and drug traffickers. Source Wikipedia report based on UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) data.
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OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2013
Patrick Kabay J
oshua’s brother, Patrick Kabay, also a graduate of Waynesburg Central High School, also in the US Marine Corp Infantry, and also a combat veteran having served a tour with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Division in Afghanistan April – Sept of 2012, also in Helmand Province. Patrick is currently at Camp Lajeune in North Carolina. He is scheduled to be deployed again this January to Libya. The GreeneSaver is proud to pay tribute to these two brothers, Joshua and Patrick Kabay, who have followed in the footsteps of their father, grandfathers and many other family members serving in our US Military. Serving so that we remain free and secure from fear. Thank YOU.
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WORLD WAR II LEGEND BYRON ‘SLIM’ SUMRALL by Brad Braddock
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et upon the grandest stage in history, when the world was on the brink of complete destruction at the hands of madmen, Byron “Slim” Sumrall fought for his country. Eventually, Byron would find himself trapped inside the belly of a beast. He and his Navy command were at war with the Japanese in the Pacific Ocean, where they knew that each day inside their submarine could be their last. On a cold morning in the Pacific, Byron looked down and smiled at their ship’s mascot, Garbo. She was a little female Jack Russell Terrier, who decided to accompany him while he fixed an electrical problem aboard ship. The tender moment was always foreshadowed though, by the fact they could be attacked by Japanese depth charges at any time. At that moment, a submerged blast sounded loudly, echoing throughout the ship! Warning alarms rang loudly, and the men were quick to take evasive action. They quickly scattered to their positions as the ear piercing blasts continued around their vessel. The lights aboard their ship flickered off and on, eventually leaving them in total darkness. The men froze as one final blast shook the entire ship, disabling the engines, and killing several of the crew. They could do nothing but wait anxiously as their ship sank helplessly to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. The captain of the ailing vessel was quick to instruct the seamen to remain silent, to be as still as the grave, for the Japanese were listening for the slightest noise, checking to see if the ship had been destroyed. The men labored around the clock, trying desperately to repair the engines that were out of commission. While “Slim” was on break, resting in his cot that was positioned beside two torpedoes, he thought back to why he had joined the fight against the Japanese to begin with. Lying there, he stared into the pitch black, while listening to the sounds of his fallen comrades being shot from the torpedo chute of the submarine. They did this to create the illusion that the ship had been destroyed. While listening to the bone-chilling sounds, he thought back to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the day that had sparked his patriotic spirit. Byron also wondered about his five brothers who were spread throughout Europe, fighting Hitler’s Blitzkrieg, as well as the mighty Oriental army. For almost a week, their ship sat motionless at the bottom of the sea. The men couldn’t help but wonder if this was to be their final resting-place. By the grace of almighty God and the crew’s never-ending determination, they eventually got one engine repaired enough to leave their undersea prison. The men were ready to celebrate, but controlled their emotions long enough to sink a 6,700 ton Japanese freighter that carried vital supplies! Talk about never giving up! Over the course of “Slim’s” four years of service and nine successful patrols, his crew upon the U.S.S. Jack and U.S.S. Gar were responsible for sinking eighteen Japanese ships. A letter from the White House to Byron and his crew revealed that without their service, the war could have ended dramatically differently. Their sinking of various ships that carried precious reinforcements and supplies was vital to the war effort. Several years ago, “Slim,” who is now 97 years old and tough as ever, went to tour a submarine that was used during World War II. The guide, who was telling the observers how things went aboard ship during the war in the 1940’s, was pulled aside by Slim. Slim said, “you’re wrong on quite a few things, son.” The young man replied with a worried look, “You were on one of these, weren’t you?” Slim smiled lightheartedly and said, “Yes, son… I was.” May God bless our greatest generation, and may God please grant us the wisdom to never forget those great men.
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OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2013
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Halloween Parades and Trick or Treating Schedule CARMICHAELS: Halloween parade for area children, Sunday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. Line up will start at 1:30 p.m. in the Yoskovich Funeral Home parking lot. In the event of rain, the parade will be held at the Carmichaels fire hall. Trick or treat at Brodak’s Shop n Save will follow directly after the parade. THE BOBTOWN/DUNKARD VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: Sponsoring a Halloween parade and party on Oct. 30. Lineup for the parade at the fire department will start at 4 p.m. A party will be following the parade at 5 p.m. For Bobtown and Dunkard Township residents 12 and under. RICES LANDING BOROUGH: Halloween parade starting at 12:30 p.m. at the Hewitt Presbyterian Church and ending at Rices Landing Legion Post 816 on Sunday, Oct. 27. Trick or treating will follow from 2 to 4 p.m. WAL-MART IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP: Trick or Treat Parade at the store on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Lineup for parade participants will be in the lawn and garden department. The costume parade is for children of all ages. WAYNESBURG BOROUGH: “Halloween Spooktacular Downtown Merchant Costume Contest,” Thursday, Oct. 31. Those participating in costume contest are asked to stop between 8 and 9 a.m. at the courthouse steps to be judged. In case of rain, the location will be moved to the Waynesburg Borough office, next to the police department. Awards will be presented and photographs will be taken of all winners at 12 p.m. on the courthouse steps. Participants must be employed within the borough or a Chamber of Commerce member. For more information or to register, contact the borough at 724-627-8111 or the Waynesburg Area Chamber of Commerce at 724-627-5926. Trick or Treat Schedules Residents who wish to give candy to the children should turn on their porch lights. • Aleppo Township – Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m. • Carmichaels Borough – Parade 2 p.m. Oct. 27. Trick or treat – 4 to 5:30 p.m. Brodak’s Shop n Save will have trick or treating after the parade. • Center Township – Oct. 31, 6 to 7 p.m. • Clarksville Borough – Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m. • Cumberland Township – Oct. 27, 4 to 6 p.m. • Dunkard Township – Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m. in Bobtown • Franklin Township – Oct. 31, 4 to 6 p.m. • Freeport Township – Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m. • Gilmore Township – Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m. • Gray Township – Oct. 31, 6 to 7 p.m. • Greene Township – Oct. 31, 4 to 6 p.m. • Greensboro Borough – Mon River Holiday Committee is sponsoring a Halloween party at the Greensboro Fire Hall on Oct. 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. • Jackson Township – Oct. 31, 7 to 9 p.m. • Jefferson Borough – Oct. 31, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. • Jefferson Township – Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m. • Monongahela Township – Not available • Morgan Township – Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m. • Morris Township – Oct. 31, 5 to 6 p.m. • Perry Township – Oct. 26, 5 to 7 p.m. • Rices Landing Borough – Oct. 27, parade at 12:30 p.m. starting at Hewitt Church and ending at Rices Landing Legion. Trick or treat will follow from 2 to 4 p.m. • Richhill Township – Oct. 31, 6 to 7 p.m. • Springhill Township – Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m. • Washington Township – Oct. 31, 5 to 8 p.m. • Wayne Township – Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m. • Waynesburg Borough – Oct. 31, 4 to 6 p.m. Parade at 6:30 p.m. • Whiteley Township – No trick-or-treating
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Wrea
a c i r e ths Across Am
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he Carmichaels Women’s Civic Club is seeking sponsors to purchase wreaths that will be placed on veterans’ graves at the Laurel Point Cemetery in Carmichaels. On December 14, National Wreaths Across America Day, remembrance wreaths will be placed on the graves of fallen veterans at more than 800 locations across the country and overseas. A remembrance ceremony will be held at Laurel Point Cemetery in Carmichaels at noon on this day. Last year, 80 wreaths were placed on the graves of veterans’ buried at Laurel Point. This year, the goal of the Civic Club is to place 306 wreaths on the veterans’ graves. The Carmichaels Women’s Civic Club is seeking sponsorship from individuals, clubs, groups, and businesses. The cost is $15 per wreath. The deadline to sponsor wreaths is November 22. Checks should be made out to the Carmichaels Women’s Civic Club and sent to PO Box 453, Carmichaels, PA 15320. For more information, call 724-8331532.
Photo from last December’s Wreaths Across America ceremony at Laurel Point Cemetery. The seven ceremonial wreaths are designated for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Merchant Marines, Coast Guard, and POW/MIA.
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LARRY G. KIGER T
he following was received from Mrs. Patricia Kiger, wife of the late Specialist 4th Class, Larry G. Kiger: “As a tribute to my deceased husband, I would like to honor his memory with this special tribute his daughter Leslie Kiger Parker wrote. It was read at a church service honoring all five first responders and service personnel (Sept, 2002).” My Father Is a Hero to Me Some define a hero as a person of great courage and spirit, or one who has undergone great danger or difficulty. I apply this definition to my father, a Vietnam veteran. He is a true “War Hero.” He is just one of many who have fought in battle, Putting their lives on the line for the safety of others. His physical scars remind him every day of that period of time, that would like to be forgotten, but never will be. The memories will always be there. I could never imagine being just a young man, thrown onto the battlefield, literally fighting for your life, while others around you are dying, and you yourself are close to death. Yet this is exactly what my father and others experienced. I feel my father and other veterans do not receive the recognition, honor, or appreciation they deserve. The great courage it took to survive a period of time that was so horrific, it is beyond admirable. This is just one of the many reasons why my father is a hero to me. The GreeneSaver joins Patricia, Leslie, and the Kiger family to honor Larry G. Kiger, in grateful appreciation for the sacrifices he made, and the many lives that he touched.
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Successful Sporting Clays Class T
he Greene County Department of Recreation recently wrapped up its third introductory sporting clays class for women. “Women’s Intro to Sporting Clays” was held from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Sept. 5, 12 and 19 at Hunting Hills in Dilliner. Twenty women signed up for the classes, which were free for women ages 15 and older. Classes covered the fundamentals of clay target shooting and were taught by Chuck Mallory and Randy Coss, certified National Sporting Clays Association Level 1 instructors. Students shot targets and learned about different types of guns, techniques of stance, trap positions, and clay speeds and sizes. The “Women’s Intro to Sporting Clays” classes were sponsored by the Greene County Commissioners, Hunting Hills, Friends of the National Rifle Association and the Waynesburg Sportsman Association. For more information, call the Department of Recreation at 724852-5323.
Pictured are 17 of the 20 class participants with coaches and instructors. Front row, kneeling, from l. to r.: Janice Morris, Juliann Cernuska, Amy Pavick, Allicia Basinger, Morgan Pratt and Haleigh Pratt. Second row, from l. to r.: Kasey Osborne, Carolyn Cross, Kathy Jones, Deborah Rohanna, Judy Price, Pam Blaker, Tracey Jacobs, Judy Smith, Amanda Smouse, Lucinda Sheaffer and Michele Tyhonas. Back row, from l. to r.: Assistant Head Coach Randy Coss, Coach Brian Swartz, Head Coach Chuck Mallory, Coach Rex Buckhalter, Coach Matt Friend and Coach Doug Kerr. Not pictured are students Emma Barchiesi, Debra Martin and Tammy Watson and Coach Tom Pavel.]
THE SIX FAMILY OF VETERANS Ralph
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elda Whoolery of Jefferson shares this collection of pictures of her mother and father, and her seven brothers who all served our country. George Six and Attie Himmelrick, both originally from Hundred, WV, married and began a family that would include a total of 11 children by the time they moved to Holbrook, PA where George farmed to support them all. “My father was a WWI veteran, and all his sons served in the military as well,” said Nelda. “My brother, Ralph, was the only one who never came home. He was killed in 1944 in Italy during WWII. I was 9 years old at the time,” Nelda recalled. “Kenneth, the youngest of the boys, made a career of
it. He served over 20 years, during both Korea and Viet Nam,” she added. Kenneth is the only brother still living, a resident of Waynesburg. “I am very proud of Kenneth and all my brothers,” said Nelda. So are we. Proud… and thankful. The GreeneSaver joins Nelda and her sister, Betty Young, in paying tribute to the men of the Six Family, a father and seven sons, who all served this country throughout many wars, battles and conflicts, so that we might continue to enjoy the freedoms that are so uniquely ours. Thank you George Six Sr., George Six Jr., Neil Six, Ralph Six, Charles “Dorsey” Six, Howard Six, Don Six and Kenneth Six.
Charles “Dorsey”
Kenneth George Jr.
Howard
Neil Don
Attie & George Sr.
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OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2013
STILL SWEETHEARTS by Colleen Nelson
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Paul and Wanita Crayne, proudly displaying his medals
OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2013
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aul Crayne, 100, is Greene County’s oldest veteran. He and wife Wanita, 97, have been happily married for 75 years and still live in the little white house overlooking Ten Mile Creek on Rt. 188 that they bought when Paul came home from World War II. On March 17 the American Legion honored Greene County’s oldest World War II veteran at the legion hall in Waynesburg. Surrounded by dignitaries from county, state and federal offices and applauded by fellow veterans, family and friends, Paul blew out the 100 candles on his cake. He is now both the newest and oldest member of American Legion Post 330. In 1943, 30-year-old Crayne, a happily married man, was drafted into the Army and sent to hot, sweltering India, and then up the Himalayas to Vietnam to help build the Burma Road. His wife, Wanita, was left behind to care for their two-yearold daughter, Connie, and take in washing to make ends meet. Still, she found time to write to her sweetheart every day. Crayne’s memories are still lively
when he talks about flying through mountain passes, amazed to find sheer rock on either side of the wings; of almost dying of malaria; of jolting along in trucks on impossibly rocky roads. Riding into Hi Fong, Vietnam, his convoy was forced to ford the river. The Japanese had blown up the bridges the day before, and Crayne’s men were now on the front line and under threat of attack. Thankfully, the attack never came, and the convoy made it through. When the war ended, Crayne helped process prisoners and earned his discharge points. Wanita was about to have her warrior home, safe and sound. Crayne went back to the job he left behind, working the afternoon shift as a machinist and lathe operator at Penn Manufacturing in Washington, and the memories of combat faded over the years. But the American flag that flew from the Crayne front porch every clear day let passersby know that Paul and Wanita’s pride in their country was as alive as they were – and still are. The Disabled American Veterans replaced the last flag that Wanita had been stitching back together as it became tattered by the breeze, just in time for Veterans Day 2012. When Crayne turned 100 in March 2013, Veterans Affairs presented him with the medals that he’d earned for his tour of duty, and the American Legion made him a lifetime member. When the Veterans Day Parade commences on November 11, Crayne is looking forward to being in the thick of it, then joining fellow veterans for lunch at the American Legion Hall in Waynesburg. With Wanita at his side, of course.
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SALUTE TO JOE E. COLLINS T
Sergeant Joseph E. Collins
he following brief story, from a torn, faded copy of the Fairmont Times newspaper, dated Friday, January 4, 1952 has a small headline that reads, “Loses Helmet.” It seems a fitting way to begin this tribute. An article was printed in the Army Times published in Korea concerning SFC Joseph Collins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Collins of Mannington, who is now visiting his parents in this city: “He Loses Helmet in Dramatic Way”. “It was getting dark and Fox Company was watching a crest to their right near ‘Heartbreak Ridge’ [Collins said]. They were waiting for Easy Company to come over that crest to join them. SFC Joseph Collins stood up when he saw figures outlined against the sky. ‘Come on, Easy,’ he yelled. Sgt. Collins was disillusioned when ‘Easy Company’ turned out to be North Koreans. His first warning came as a bullet took his helmet off his head. The round had hit dead center and punched through and came out the top of the steel. After the battle was over, Lt. James B. Wilson asked Collins where his helmet was. ‘I won’t tell you, Lieutenant,’ Collins said. ‘It could only happen in the movies.’” Joe Collins was born in Waynesburg, and returned to live there in 1963, after his military service, and after living for a time in Mannington, West Virginia. Married to his wife, Joan, for 53 years, Joe is fondly remembered by area residents as being instrumental in acquiring the decommissioned Army tank that resides at the Waynesburg VFW post on Lincoln Street. “I remember ‘Tank Day,’ when the tank arrived and was installed on the grounds,” said Joe’s daughter, Cathy, “in late 1989, or maybe 1990; it’s hard to remember the date.” (Editor’s note: the tank was placed at the VFW post in October of 1996) Ever mindful of being “on duty” to be of service to his community, Joe was also a member of the WaynesburgFranklin Township Volunteer Fire Company, helping in many emergency situations. Observers and participants in area Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day parades will also recall Joe driving a military Jeep, owned by James Martin of Waynesburg, along the parade routes. Joe Collins died on November 14, 2008, at the age of 74. We join Joan and family (Scott, Marc, Terry, Cathy Colllins-Held and Kelly Collins-White) to remember Sergeant Collins for his years of service, both in active duty, and through the remainder of his life.
Collins with the Waynesburg-Franklin Township VFC, photo taken when the Long Building in downtown Waynesburg burned in the early 1980s.
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News story from the Greene County Messenger featuring Joe Collins and the tank he was instrumental in having placed at the Waynesburg VFW post.
Joe during a visit to the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., shortly before his passing.
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n the dynamic energy industry, things tend to happen quickly and somebody’s always on the move, which may be a little intimidating for those in our region interested in a job or career in the natural gas industry. There are still plenty of jobs – and if you want the link to learn more, you can check out ShaleNET, an initiative that was developed to connect the right talent to the right opportunity. On its website, ShaleNET describes itself as “your link to oil and gas industry training and education opportunities.” ShaleNET was launched in 2010 with a $4.964 million Community Based Job Training grant awarded to Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, PA by the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. The original intent of ShaleNET was to respond quickly to natural gas industry needs by creating an effective and efficient entry level training program featuring five high demand upstream occupations including roustabout, welder’s helper, CDL, floor hand and production technician. In just 26 months, ShaleNET served over 9,500 people and, with 20 recognized training providers in four states, the program has trained over 3,000 people and more than 1,650 are employed in the industry. The original ShaleNET grant ended on June 30, 2013 and exceeded all of its benchmarks and goals. As the natural gas and petroleum industry matures, occupational demand has grown nationwide to reflect a need for a highly skilled workforce concentrating on not only upstream, but mid and downstream jobs as well. In September 2012, ShaleNET received a follow on grant of $14.96 million through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training program awarded
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to the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA by the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. Unlike the original ShaleNET grant, which covered the cost of instruction, the second grant is focused on building capacity. It expands the capacity of ShaleNET geographically and incorporates a new stackable credential model. Building upon the original ShaleNET training model, four new certificates and two new associate programs have been added, culminating, if one chooses, in the attainment of a bachelor’s degree. The stackable credential model allows multiple entry and exit points to those seeking an education and the standardized curriculum will enable this mobile workforce to continue and finish their education wherever ShaleNET is offered. With the addition of Navarro College in Corsicana, TX and Stark State College in Canton, OH, and with the support of key employer partners including Chevron, Shell, Anadarko Petroleum Corp, Chesapeake Energy, XTO, and Encana, ShaleNET now serves the highest demand occupations in upstream, midstream, and downstream activities. This includes state-of-the-art lab equipment, an open source, and cloud-based curriculum. An innovative strategy integrating new online curriculum into a blended instructional environment is used to address advanced skill requirements.1 ShaleNET is leveragings the collective experience of industry, the public workforce system and its consortium of colleges to help individuals build lasting careers in the oil and gas industry, here and across the country. Learn more about it online at shalenet.org.
OF WAYNESBURG
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! R E C N A C N O R A W S E R DECLA
ortz Chevrolet of Waynesburg is taking a firm stand in the war on cancer. Teaming up with the American Cancer Society, Bortz will be raising money through the Making Strides test drive program, which was a huge success last year. For every customer who test drives any new Chevrolet vehicle on one of three specified days this fall, $10 for each test drive will be donated to the American Cancer Society – up to $130,000! Bortz hosted the first Making Strides test drive day on Oct. 19. There will be two more Saturdays: November 2nd and November 16th from 9am to 3pm each day. No purchase is necessary for the contribution to be made. In addition to the Making Strides campaign, through the entire months of October and November, Bortz Chevrolet is offering rebates on service for vehicles of all makes and models. And to go hand-in-hand with the Making Strides test drives, customers will have the opportunity to donate their service rebates to the American Cancer Society until the end of November. So no matter if you are shopping for a new Chevrolet or just needing service for your current vehicle, you can join Bortz Chevrolet in a stand against cancer!
www.shalenet.org
Left to right: Diane White, Sr. Representative for the Community Engagement for the American Cancer Society; Rich Bortz, Owner of Bortz Chevy; Megan Young & Carol Young of the Volunteer Leadership Council for the American Cancer Society in Greene County.
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On the Move with I
t’s been said that good news travels fast, but when it comes to promoting a business, few things can spread a message faster than vehicle wraps. Vehicle wrapping is the process of partially or completely covering a vehicle with graphics. A wrap can be as simple as the name and contact information for a business, or as complex as complete coverage, full color graphics with images and business logos. Business owners nationwide are discovering that car wraps and vehicle graphics are among the best ways to reach customers quickly, effectively and economically. According to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, more than 95% of Americans are reached by
media targeting vehicle drivers and passengers, and one vehicle wrap can generate 30,000 to 70,000 impressions, daily. Direct Results, home of the Custom Graphics sign shop in Waynesburg, is a state-of-the-art facility, exemplifying the height of technology and skill in modern graphic design and sign-making. In addition to vehicle wraps, Custom Graphics offers a wide variety of products, from small, simple yard signs and banners, to custom vehicle graphics and large format printing. One critical factor that makes the Custom Graphics sign shop unique is the fact that all of the work, from initial design, to layout, to receiving approval from a client and final printing, is done in-house. This provides savings to a customer, and also helps insure that, start to finish, the job will be done according to the customer’s exact specifications, as “middle-people” are essentially eliminated from the process. Custom Graphics sign expert, Jacob Shaffer, is very enthusiastic about the evolution of the shop, especially with new equipment being put in place that will provide superior quality, and faster turnaround time. Among the innovations are a new 65-inch printer and laminator, which will enable print sizes of over 5 feet wide, by 150 feet long; and a new plotter that will extend the capability to custom-cut decals and magnets, so that, according to Jacob, “…customization abilities are going to be practically endless.”
With over a decade of graphic design study and experience becoming intimately familiar and skilled with the sign-making process, Jacob, at Custom Graphics, is uniquely qualified to provide expert advice and assistance with projects of any scale or content. Speaking about the exciting new developments and equipment at the shop, he says, “If you have a question about a project, come in and ask us. We can work with you to create effective graphics that work best for your business and situation.”
CHARLES “YOGI” YEAGER C
harles “Yogi” Yeager is a veteran of the Korean War, married to his wife, Sonia, for over 50 years. His family also includes daughter Patty, grandson Hayden, and Michael Yeager, who was kind enough to share information about his “pap” with us. The GreeneSaver joins the Yeager family in paying tribute to Charles “Yogi” Yeager. We sincerely thank you, “Yogi,” for your service to our country.
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4-H County Council Hosts Achievement Celebration 4
-H leaders and youth were recognized for their accomplishments at the 4-H Completion/Achievement Recognition held at the Morris Township Community Center in Nineveh. Greene County 4-H County Council sponsored the event. The awards program is very special for many youth in the county. The highlight was the 4-H’er of the Year Award. To compete for this honor, members must be in their last year of 4-H and must have made many accomplishments through their 4-H career. This year four girls were honored. They were: Kaitlyn Jones, Jennifer Self, Jessica Self and Sadie Wright Other 4-H youth who excelled in developing life skills through the 4-H program were also recognized. They were: “I Dare You” Award, Curtis Patton and Christa Ziefel; Outstanding Intermediate 4-H youth, Aaron Cumer and Lexie Mooney; Outstanding Junior 4-H youth, Emily Cooke and Morgan Mooney; Club Reporter, Kyra Burns; Club Secretary, Morgan Mooney. The Outstanding Senior 4-H Youth award is sponsored by AgChoice Farm Credit and was presented to Chad Douglas. Volunteer leaders are necessary for a successful 4-H program. Leaders recognized for their years of service to 4-H were: 1st year leaders Courtney Hursey, Brenda Kramer, Susan Maley and Steve Ross; 5th year Heather Gilbert and Debe Householder; 10th year Jeff Wright; 20th year Robin Throckmorton, 25th year Betty Anderson and Mark Moore; 35th year Carol Adamson. 4-H’ers of the Year County Council presented Robin Archer, volunteer of the Beef Breeding Club, with their Outstanding Leader Award. L to R – Jessica Self, Kaitlyn Jones, Sadie Wright, Jennifer Self Youth had an opportunity to demonstrate their 4-H skills through participation in the 4-H Achievement Ladder. Those recognized were: Level 1 Green Clover: Brenna Benke, Kyra Burns, Emily Cooke, Marshall Dobbs, Kiley Meek, Morgan Mooney, Austin Orndoff; Level 2 White Clover: Benjamin Archer, Elise Benke, Avery Berdine, Nathaniel Cumer, Brayden Mooney, Whittney Toothman; Level 3 Bronze Clover: McKenna Benke, Aaron Cumer, Lexie Mooney, Rodney Parson; Level 4 Silver Clover: Lindsey Gilbert; Level 5 Gold Clover: Chad Douglas and Curtis Patton. Six members of the Shotgun Club participated at the State Achievement Days at Penn State in August. The junior team members Thomas Heldreth, Luke Pecjak, and Branden Sanders were presented their medals and ribbons for placing first in the competition. Branden placed first and Luke sixth for individuals and received ribbons. The senior team of Aaron Elliott, Timothy Heldreth and Lex Uram received their fourth Outstanding Members place ribbons. 1st row – Morgan Mooney and Emily Cooke, outstanding junior Achievement Ladder Winners 4-H is open to all young people, ages 8-18, regardless of where they live, their members; Aaron Cumer, outstanding intermediate member backgrounds, or interests. Parents are welcome as helpers or as club volunteers. If you 2nd row – Curtis Patton and Christa Ziefel, I Dare You Winners; 1st row l to r –Morgan Mooney, Emily Cooke, Kyra Burns, Austin Orndoff 2nd row 1 to r – Avery Berdine, Aaron Cumer, Brayden Mooney, Benjamin are interested in learning more about the 4-H program, contact the Penn State ExtenLexie Mooney, outstanding intermediate member Archer, Nathaniel Cumer sion Office in Greene County at 724-627-3745. Missing from the picture: Chad Douglas, Farm Credit AgChoice outstanding senior member
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3rd row l to r – Rodney Parson, Lexie Mooney, Curtis Patton
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COMING CLOSINGS
The Bowlby Public Library posts that they will be closed on the following days: Nov. 11 (Veteran’s Day), and Nov. 28 & 29 (Thanksgiving holidays). The library will reopen on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 9:30 am.
FUNKY RAT MOBILE
Many GreeneSaver readers will remember Mike Murray, former Greene County resident and the charter chairman of the Waynesburg 50s Fest & Car Cruise. Mike organized and executed the event for many years. Mike always was and still is a big auto enthusiast, and it seems the crazier the better. We came by this picture from one of Mike’s friends, John Shultz of Waynesburg, another gear head who has kept in touch with Mike since he relocated to Mississippi several years ago. This is Mike’s extraordinary 1964 Chevy ¾ ton pickup which he calls the Funky Rat Mobile. It’s an appropriate name. Mike takes it to all the cruises and shows in his area, where crowds gather to see the seemingly unending oddities attached to it, including rubber rats, a strategically placed toilet seat, barbed wire, bottles and much MUCH more. It gets a lot of attention, including press and plenty of laughs – which is the whole point, of course. If you know Mike Murray, you know he likes to have fun. Mike, if you get to read this, your old friends would love to see you – and your “Funky Rat Mobile” at the next 50s Fest – come on back to Waynesburg for a visit!
“SATURDAY HAPPENINGS”
Cornerstone Ministry Center in Jefferson, PA is inviting elementary students (grades 2-6) and teen students (grade 7-12) to “A Saturday Happening” on the third Saturday of each month for the next few months. The next “Happening” will be from 10am-4pm on Nov. 16. Register by phone no later than the Wednesday before the happening. Cost is $5, with lunch provided. FMI 724-966-9157.
SO LONG SUMMER With summer gone and fall in full swing, here is a parting shot of one of the nicest summer flower displays in the neighborhood. These stunning petunias, with hanging baskets that grew to over 6 feet long, were only part of the amazing display of color this summer in the Eddy’s back yard on Hillcrest Drive in Waynesburg. Kelce said it just takes plenty of TLC.
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MR. PEANUT/PIRATE
Regular GreeneSaver contributor Bud Bradmon stopped by the GreeneSaver office the other day, carrying a collectible Mr. Peanut, which just happened to be wearing a Pirate baseball hat (it was during the valiant effort). Bud was heading to his new endeavor – “The Bank” in downtown Jefferson, where he and granddaughters Rachel, Rebecca & Grace are partnering to operate an antique and collectible store in the old bank building right across from the Jefferson Post Office. The store is open now Thu, Fri & Sat from 10am – 4pm. Stop in and check out a most eclectic collection of Greene County memorabilia and more.
WANT TO HELP?
Flenniken Public Library in Carmichaels is currently looking for volunteers to serve on the library Board of Directors, and for volunteers to help with the community garden. The Board of Directors promotes the mission of the library, sets policy and works to ensure funding . Volunteers of all ages are needed to help plan the community garden for next year, a place where community members can grow food and learn about different plants. All community garden meetings will be held at the library. If you are interested in any of the above positions, please contact the library for more details at 724-966-5263. FMI: www.flenniken.org.
NEW BIBLE PROGRAM
Cornerstone Ministry Center posts the start of their “Released Time Bible Program.” Active in all Greene Co. school districts, the program takes children from school for one hour a week for religious instruction. Volunteers are background checked. To enroll, a permission slip must be provided by a parent or guardian. Slips available at schools, or can be downloaded from www.cbmswpa.org. For info, call Cornerstone at 724-966-9157, or Gloria Cox, 724-627-4268.
FOOT SOLDIERS?
Greene County Veterans’ Affairs posts that van service will not be in operation on the following dates: Nov 25, Dec 2 and Dec 6. Additional dates may be announced later. Also, the VA hospital will be closed on Nov 29, except for emergency care. FMI: call Kathy Cipcic, Administrative Assistant, at 724-852-5275.
FALL BACK
At 2 am on Sunday, Nov. 3rd, Daylight Savings Time officially ends and you get to set your clocks back one hour. That means the sun will rise a little earlier that day, even though the actual amount of daylight we are experiencing is getting shorter as winter approaches. So don’t forget – Nov. 3rd -you’ll get an extra hour in your day. How will you spend it?
Black Belt Speaks to Civic Club
Master Laura Beluschak of the American JudoHapkido Institute of Waynesburg was the guest speaker at the October meeting of the Carmichaels Women’s Civic Club. Master Beluschak is a 6th degree black belt in Sin Moo Hapkido, and holds the distinction of being the highest ranking female in the art. Beluschak shared Hapkido self defense philosophies and principles with club members, who were also given the opportunity to participate as Master Beluschak demonstrated some of the basic techniques of the art.
6th degree Sin Moo Hapkido black belt, Master Laura Beluschak
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HARLAND HEADLEE H
arland Headlee served in the United States Air Force from 1957 to 1961. His face is recognizable to many in this area for his dedication as Veterans’ Director of Greene County from 1987 to 2003. Upon his retirement he received a plaque from the Military Order of the Purple Heart for his faithful service to local veterans, which was a moment of great pride for Harland and his family. Though retired as Greene County Veterans’ Director, he remains of service to area veterans, volunteering at the Clarksburg Veterans’ Medical Center, in West Virginia, contributing over a thousand hours of his time, thus far. Harland’s daughter, Jerri Headlee, says of her father, “To say ‘I support our vets’ is one thing, but my father has shown through his actions what it really means to support them. Our entire family is very proud of our father for his compassion, caring, and desire to dedicate so much of his life for those who truly deserve it, our veterans.” The GreeneSaver joins Jerri and the Headlee family in saluting Harland Headlee, not only for his years of selfless service to this country, but also for his ongoing devotion to his fellow soldiers.
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Air Force veteran and ongoing Veterans’ Medical Center volunteer Harland Headlee.
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Brandon Staley Earns Award Brandon Staley was recently awarded the Academic Improvement Award by The Challenge Program, Inc. for his performance last year as a student at Waynesburg Central High School. He is currently a junior at Jefferson-Morgan High School and is enrolled in the Building Construction program at the Greene County Career and Technology Center. CONSOL Energy is the sponsor of The Challenge Program, Inc. at Waynesburg Central High School.
Mother Earth May Make the Super Bowl! Mother Earth Farm of Ruff Creek, PA has joined 10,000 other small businesses across the United States advancing to the 2nd round of the Intuit Small Business Big Game program. Contestants are working to win a 30-second custom television ad that will air during the Super Bowl on Feb. 2, 2014. In addition to this, Intuit is giving away weekly grants of $1,000. For round two, Mother Earth Farm completed a series of activities to tell the world more about their business, including a 90-second video to bring their business story to life, and sharing advice with other small business owners. To see their entry visit https://www.smallbusinessbiggame.com/PA/Mother-Earth-Farm/377867. Fans can vote daily for their favorite small business in categories such as uniqueness, video, proudest moment & more. Mother Earth Farm is a natural grower of bedding plants, annuals, herbs, house plants, perennials and veggie plants in pots, packs and baskets. Visit www.motherearthfarm.com or Facebook at www.facebook. com/MEFarm for more info
Garden Club Observes 62nd Year
The Town & Country Garden Club of Rices Landing observed its 62nd year at the club’s October meeting. President Kay Bair gave comment and congratulations to club members. The club was organized in October of 1951 and federated in 1952. Bair presented the program, “Attracting Nature’s Super Pollinators- -Mason Bees.” In the wild, mason bees nest in holes created by woodpeckers and beetles. They do not excavate their own holes. Mason bees are non-aggressive and are extremely docile because they have no colony or queen to defend. Creating edible landscapes and bee-safe habitats in backyards can help save the food The American Legion Post 416 of Graysville Town & Country Garden Club President, Kay Bair, presented its $1000.00 scholarship to Anna Salai, supply threatened by declining honey bee shows a Mason Bee box at a celebration of the club’s 18, of West Greene High School. Anna, daughter pollinators. Nearly 1/3 of our food supply is 62nd anniversary. of Mike and Carol Salai of Wind Ridge, is attend- threatened by lack of pollination. ing Drexel University majoring in graphic design. This scholarship, the second for the American Legion, is presented to a West Greene senior who plans to attend a post-secondary school in a degree or certification program. The scholarship is While a certain “block-headed” cartoon character is nowhere to be found, it’s hard to deny that this awarded based on a 500 word or less essay about is, indeed, a “great pumpkin”! This 943 pound beauty was grown by Mt. Morris resident, Craig Czako, what America means to him or her. The theme of who needed to use a forklift in order to safely deposit it in the essay this year was, “How the Constitution Af- the bed of his truck. The “Atlantic Giant” pumpkin took fects Me.” 7th place at the Altoona Great Pumpkin Weigh Off on
American Legion Scholarship
Giant Pumpkin Visits
Franklin Township Sewer Authority Wins Award The Pennsylvania Rural Water Association recently named its 2013 Tribute to Excellence Award winners, and the Franklin Township Sewer Authority in Greene County was cited as the Wastewater System of the Year. The PRWA recognized the staff and the board for “providing high quality wastewater treatment and service to their customers.” Chad Coss, Plant Superintendent, responded that, “The Franklin Township Waste Water Treatment Plant is honored to receive such a prestigious award. I would like to thank the Board and my Staff for the continuing hard work they provide that allows the Franklin Township Waste Water Treatment Plant to produce a very high quality effluent.” Chad also commented that the award is a result of all of his staff working together to keep the facility running as efficiently as posStaff of the Franklin Township Sewer Plant are (l to r) sible. The plant is approaching its 40th year in Chad Coss, manager, Kevin Eddy, Bianca Simpson, holding operation and just beginning a major rebuild of the award for Rural Pennsylvania Wastewater System of the Year, Craig Brewer and Dan Rush, assistant manager. the facility.
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October 5. For the record, the winning pumpkin at this event came in at a whopping 1683 pounds. Mr. Czako credits Alan and Julie Brady, of Dilliner, PA, for part of his pumpkin-growing success, as the seeds for his awardwinning giant were provided by one of their own enormous pumpkins. The pumpkin is going to be displayed at Joe Romeo Craig Czako of Mt. Morris, being dwarfed by his 943 Honda in Mt. Morris through Halloween. pound “Atlantic Giant” pumpkin.
Graysville Fire Company Honored Graysville Fire Company # 16 poses for a group shot after being chosen “Community Citizen 2013” by Harvey’s Aleppo Grange on September 9. The grange gave the fire company $1000 to keep up the good work.
Front row: Tyler Lemasters, Travis Tharp, Lori Hamilton sec row: Christine Rice, Carol McGinnus, Ashley Rogers, Eugene Hughes, Terri Bedillion, Maryellen Livinggood, Ashley Yoders, Shelby Davis third row: Terry Barnhart, Barb Thomas, Becky Davis, Donna Henderson, Todd Henderson, John Henderson, Ron Davis, Josh Swartz fourth row: Andy Wise, Carla Rogers, Dave Jacobs
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LOCAL PATHS CROSS AT AIR FORCE ACADEMY H
ow can three West Greene County roads converge at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs Colorado? Beulah Ridge, Center Highlands, and Golden Oaks Roads are the roads on which Josh Durbin, Ian Sweeney and Peter Coote, respectively, live. All three are West Greene high school graduates; all three cadets at USAFA. The USAFA is one of the five service academies in the country. The Air Force Academy, West Point, The Naval Academy, The Coast Guard and The Merchant Marines specialize in training our military officers to eventually lead their respective airmen, soldiers and sailors. The acceptance rate in 2013 for USAFA was 9.9%. This means out of every 100 students that apply only 10 are accepted (http://colleges.usnews. rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/united-states-air-force-academy-1369). The application process is very rigorous, and the most common first step is to receive an appointment from a Senator or Congressman. This is where the competition begins, and it is not until months later that it ends. Students from all over the country and world compete for an appointment. Beulah Ridge Road took Josh Durbin (a 2009 West Greene graduate), son of Scott and Debbie Durbin, to the Academy. His fascination began when he was 13 years old, visiting his aunt in Colorado. Debbie remembers taking a tour of the Academy, and Josh was so impressed with the campus he asked his dad, “How do you get in here?” Josh always wanted to fly. Josh came home and learned what it would take to get an appointment to USAFA. He needed to develop leadership skills, so he became president of his class. He needed to develop academic skills, so he made sure he was chosen to be in the National Honors Society. On top of that, Josh continued to hone his physical skills by wrestling. All of his hard work earned him a spot at the Air Force Prep school, and then he was accepted in the fall of 2011 to USAFA. In May of 2014 he will graduate. Josh is presently competing for a pilot spot. Center Highlands Road took Ian Sweeney (2006 West Greene graduate) to the Academy. Ian, son of John and Louise Sweeney of Waynesburg, enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota. Ian was trained as a mechanic and has served in the Middle East. “While I enjoyed my enlisted career as an aircraft mechanic, I knew that it wasn’t my dream in life. It was my dream to fly planes, not fix them,” says Ian. “I wanted better for myself, and I knew that if I were to stay enlisted, I’d ultimately be settling for a life of mediocrity. Going to the Academy wasn’t going to make my life any easier, but it was an opportunity knocking at my door. I either had to seize it, or spend the rest of my life
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living in a state of idleness and regret.” After a year at the Air Force Prep School, Ian earned a spot at USAFA and began his first year in 2011. Ian will graduate in 2015. Golden Oaks Road took Peter Coote (2012 West Greene graduate) L-R: Ian Sweeny, Josh Durbin, and Peter Coote to the Academy. Son of Jon and Maribeth Coote, Peter is the second of four boys. He was the little guy who played with the airplanes. “At a young age I read adventurous missionary stories to the boys, one story was about Nate Saint, a pilot who went to Ecuador to share the love of Christ. Maybe those stories made an impact on Peter,” said Maribeth. When Peter was in sixth grade, he became a member of the Morgantown, West Virginia wing of the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the Air Force, to encourage leadership and the love of aviation in young people. During Peter’s senior year of high school, he spent many hours in a Cessna learning to fly. When it came time to think of college options it was only natural for Peter to pursue the Air Force. Peter’s road was more traditional. He secured an appointment to the Academy from Congressman Mark Critz, and began his life as a cadet in 2012. Peter will graduate in 2016. Three different roads, three different graduating years from West Greene (Ian ’06, Josh ’09, Peter ’12), and three different graduating years from USAFA (Josh ’14, Ian ’15, Peter’16). One common bond: their home is, and will always be, Greene County. The West Greene community salutes these young Air men. To say we are proud of them is an understatement.
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EWING M. BARB P
rivate Ewing M. Barb was born in Mapletown on August 17, 1925. Ewing and his brother, Miller, worked at their father’s dairy farm in their youth. After school ended, Miller Barb entered the Air Force, while Ewing was drafted into the Army. Ewing completed training at Camp Blanding, in Florida, and was stationed in the Philippines until his discharge. Ewing Barb passed away on March 7, 2012. The GreeneSaver joins Ewing’s wife, Constence, to remember Private Barb, and to offer our thanks for his effort to preserve the freedoms we are so fortunate to enjoy.
Private Ewing M. Barb in his early days serving in the United States Army.
Local Veteran Works to Help Specialist Terry Hoyle served our country in the United States Army and National Guard from 1994 to 2009 in a variety of locations, including Fort Knox in Kentucky, Fort Stewart in Georgia, Fort Polk in Louisiana, and was also stationed overseas as a member of Charlie Company in Kosovo. His dedication to being of service, not only to other veterans, but also to the community as a whole, should serve as a shining example of the extent to which one individual can make an impact. Hoyle became involved in the Wounded Warriors project throughout 2008 and 2009, learning a great deal about the operation of the Veterans’ Administration (VA), and using that information to help veterans and their families file the often imposing amounts of paperwork required to obtain benefits and other services from the VA. Becoming involved in veterans’ support has become a particular passion for Hoyle, joining the Waynesburg post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and rising to become their Quartermaster over a year ago. He is also a member of the American Legion and the Carmichaels VFW. Of prime importance, says Hoyle, is, “… trying to help each other out, and, in turn, help the community.” Terry has helped coordinate donations to local veterans’ parades, and the Greene County
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Historical Society. He is working now to help organize motorcyclists to assist veterans who are unable to march in parades by having them ride on the cycles, so that they can still be a part of those events and receive the public appreciation they deserve. Last Easter, he was instrumental in the holding of an egg hunt that, while geared specifically toward veterans and their families, was still open to all children of the community. Specialist Hoyle is currently working toward his master’s degree in counseling at California University of Pennsylvania, with the intention of working extensively with veterans and children once the degree program is completed. In addition, he is investigating potential opportunities for greater involvement—or employment—with the VA, so that he can have an even wider reach to help those who have served our country faithfully. When asked what the average person can do to be of help, Hoyle says that people should, “…support their local veterans’ organizations as much as possible.” To learn more about how you can help local veterans, call the Waynesburg VFW, Post 4793, at (724) 627-3720, or visit www. vfw.org; or contact the Waynesburg American Legion, at (724) 627-6333, or by visiting www. legion.org.
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JAMES L. ANDERSON “A
ndy was a dive bomber pilot during the war and flew off the USS North Carolina. Following the war, he elected to go to Alaska where he set up a lodge in Bettles and included a landing strip so he could fly out to the various native villages where they needed help as well as to welcome visitors to this remote area,” writes Sigrid E. (Betty) Anderson, wife of former Navy Combat pilot “Andy” Anderson, and resident of Mt. Morris, PA. “Andy passed away 5 years ago and I remain on the farm here in Mt. Morris that we set up together in 1970,” Betty adds. After years of pioneering post WWII bush service to Alaska’s vast Koyukuk River region serving miners, natives, sportsmen, geologists, adventurers and assorted bush rats, Andy wrote a memoir about his post war experience as an Arctic bush pilot. The GreeneSaver spotlighted Andy and the book several years ago, and had the distinct pleasure of meeting and interviewing him before he passed away. Now, we are proud to join Betty Anderson in paying tribute to her husband, James L. Anderson, a Navy combat pilot veteran, and certainly an adventurous American who provided valuable and often life-saving service in our Alaskan frontier. Thank you, Andy, we appreciate you and all our veterans.
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Road Rally ne
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ctober 5th was an awesome autumn day with lots of sunshine - perfect for the 6th Annual GreeneScene Road Rally. With 39 vehicles registered, over 100 people participating, and the help of our generous sponsors led by Lippencott Alpacas, we were also able to raise $4,036 for this year’s beneficiary – the Greene County Historical Society & Museum. For the first time ever, there was a tie for the first place prize of $300! Congratulations to Team Longstreth – Brian and Melody and Team Widdup including Claire Megles, Carol Houser, Lori Kois & Lorie Widdup... Congratulations!!!! 2nd place was captured by Debbie & Murray Hoy & Mark Brown and 3rd place was Lara Keene, Lori & Tammy. Thanks to our volunteer course masters Bob & Mary Ann Dispenza, participants enjoyed two separate courses, each close to two hours and 50 miles of scenic back roads though Greene County. Each course ended at the PA National Guard Armory near Waynesburg where a super delicious meal of pulled pork, sausages and grilled chicken with all the fixins was served - fabulous food all made possible through the generosity of this year’s food sponsor, Principle Energy Services. The GreeneScene Road Rally is held on the first Saturday of October every year, in memory of BJ Quallich. Proceeds always benefit a local charitable cause. Remember to save the date for next year – October 4, 2014. It’s a fantastic time.
1st Place Winners
DIRECT RESULTS.US
Veterans Affairs Award Presented The Greene County Veterans Affairs office recently received the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame Champion of Older Workers Outstanding Services Award. The award is given from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging in recognition of positive efforts to promote the employment of mature workers and develop opportunities for a better life for the individual and the business community.
Pictured, from l. to r., are Bill Garrow, Greene County supervisor for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging; Dalene Watson, veterans affairs director; and Myra Thomas, veterans affairs worker.
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OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2013
SALUTING CHARLES D. RUTAN C
harles D. Rutan was a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam, Germany, Alaska and Texas. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He passed away recently, on October 4 2013. The GreeneSaver, along with Rutan’s daughter, Erica, and the entire Rutan family, would like to honor Charles Rutan for his exemplary service to his country.
OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2013
• GreeneSaver
Charles Rutan receiving a medal in Vietnam, 1972
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GreeneSaver •
OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2013