Wednesday, May 27, 2015

The PFC Robert I. Roberts Memorial Bridge - Austin, Pennsylvania

The PFC Robert I. Roberts Memorial Bridge had previously been referred to as the Turner Street Bridge and/or the Elliott Street Bridge.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

The PVT. Perry J. Hooftallen Memorial Bridge and Family Members



Front row: Rhonda, Emma, and John
Back row: Paul Jr., Kevin, Craig, Liz, Karen, and Paul Sr.

Austin Honors Three Soldiers KIA

Mayor Jimmy Setzer Reading Resolution




Perry J. Hooftallen

Perry J. Hooftallen was born November 29, 1911 to Mabel and Elias Hooftallen.  On September 2, 1939, Perry married Hazel Janette Koch from Buffalo, New York.  He was employed by the Dupont Corporation when he enlisted to serve in World War II.  Private Hooftallen was Killed In Action while fighting in France on October 19, 1944, leaving a widow and  four children, Nancy, Judy, Jim and Paul. Paul was only eleven days old when Perry reported for duty.  Private Hooftallen was awarded the Purple Heart.  He is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avoid, Lorraine, France.  It is hereby Proclaimed that the bridge known as the Garretson Street Bridge will hereafter be named the Private Perry J. Hooftallen Memorial Bridge.







Robert I. Roberts


Robert I. Roberts was a member of the 72nd Medium Tank Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, which was also known as the Indianhead during the Korean War, when he was Killed In Action on May 28, 1951, two months short of his 20th birthday.  He was survived at the time by his mother, Mrs. Nellie S. Roberts, and his sister, Marjorie Roberts Graham.  PFC Roberts was awarded the Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.  It is hereby Proclaimed that the bridge formerly referred to as the Elliott Street Bridge will hereafter be named the PFC Robert I. Roberts Memorial Bridge.                                          








Fred J. VanWhy was born on October 1, 1923, the son of Fraley and Edith Allison Davenport VanWhy.  He served his country during World War II and was assigned to the 17th Airborne Division, based in Germany.  During his service in World War II he was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge with three battle stars and the Invasion Spearhead, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and the American, European, African and Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars.

Upon the conclusion of World War II, he returned to Austin and was employed with the Tri-County Rural Electric Association when he was recalled to active duty to serve in the Korean War.  He was the first Austin Reservist to be recalled.

PFC VanWhy was assigned to serve with the First Platoon, Company A, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division and shortly before Christmas of 1950, he was shipped across the Pacific to the West Coast of the Korean Peninsula.  He was Killed In Action while participating in Operation Killer on February 8, 1951.  It is hereby Proclaimed that the bridge formerly referred to as the Horn Hollow Bridge be named The PFC Fred J. VanWhy Memorial Bridge.




Monday, May 25, 2015

Memorial Day, Austin, Pennsylvania, May 25, 2015



Pastor Steven Small, Don Lathrop, Jimmy Setzer



Don Lathrop, VFW Commander

Mayor Jimmy Setzer, Mike Fowler, and Kerry Ehrensberger







Herb Watson, Joe Thom, William House, Mike Tumas, and Brad Green

Don Lathrop, Pastor Small, Jimmy Setzer, Mike Fowler and Kerry Ehrensberger

Clark Learch WWII Veteran on the porch and Jim Hooftallen Vietnam Veteran in the red shirt


Jim Hooftallen, Vietnam Veteran


Mayor Jimmy Setzer at the podium with VFW Commander Don Lathrop behind

Mike Fowler, Vietnam Veteran


Kerry Ehrensberger

Don Lathrop and Kerry Ehrensberger



Ladies Auxiliary Commander Barbara Visneski









Jim Mcguire Vietnam Veteran, Bart Greeley WWII Veteran and Arlene Greeley,

Friday, May 22, 2015

AUSTIN! YOU'RE INVITED


School Path Park Bench Patrons

Back on April 29th, I wrote about two (2) very nice park benches being placed on the School Path here in Austin, Pennsylvania.




Now I can tell you who those patrons are:


Note: The Project Based Learning Students for the Interpretive Trails Project are:

  1. Nicole Smith
  2. Madison Hooftallen
  3. Tim Purdy
  4. Dakota Stuckey
  5. Austin Sypien
  6. Justin Miller
  7. Wyatt Fuller
The Teacher/Supervisors for this project are:
  1. Mr. Kinney
  2. Mr. Bailey
  3. Mr. Easton
  4. Ms.McNeeley


Your support of this project and our community is very much appreciated.