Memories of Memorial Day's Past - 2014

 Here are some of my favorite pictures taken at the 2014 Memorial Day Ceremony in Austin, Pennsylvania:

The U.S. Armed Forces Honor Roll Monument

 

I grew up in the 60s. During that period of time there was a  U.S. Armed Forces Honor Roll Monument  located in the general vicinity of where the All Veterans of All Wars Memorial sits today at One Town Square, Main Street, in Austin, Pennsylvania.

It contained the names of the veterans who had served in the military. A Gold Star indicated that they had been killed in action.

I would frequently stop by the monument and look at all the names that appeared inside the glass window.  My uncle, Fred J. VanWhy's name appeared therein with a Gold Star. He was killed in action during the Korean War.

I was away from home, serving in the U.S. Navy, when the monument was torn down as it was falling apart due to the ravages of time.

Mr. Gary Jeffers gathered the name plates and kept them for safe keeping. When the E.O. Austin Home Historical Society Museum was built, he donated the name plates to the museum.

Mrs.  Nancy Glover has cleaned, arranged and secured the name plates to the wall  in the Armed Forces Room located on the second floor of the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum.

Here  is a list of the name plates that appear in the museum:

Remembering The Seven (7) Local Men Who Were Killed In Action While Serving In The Armed Forces of the United States of America

 On Monday, May 31, 2021

at 3:00 P.M.
Take a Moment to Remember

The Seven Local Men Who Died Serving Our Country

Sergeant Paul M. Brown, Wharton Area, served in the Korean War.  He was Killed In Action on March 1, 1951.  His funeral was held in the Coudersport Consistory.  There is a picture of his casket in the E.O. Austin Museum. 



Private Perry Hooftallen, Austin, served in World War II.  He was Killed in Action on October 19, 1944, in France. He is buried in France. He was awarded the Gold Star for his Valor.  There is a picture of his Grave Marker and his brother, Sergeant Elias Hooftallen, standing in front of The Veteran's Memorial in France, on the Second Floor of the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum in the Military Section. 



Captain Edgar E. Nuschke was killed-in-action during the Vietnam War. Additional information on Captain Nuschke can be found at the E.O. Austin Home Historical Society Museum, Austin, Pennsylvania. 




Private Edward Ritsick, Wharton, was killed-in-action during the Vietnam War. He was a close friend of mine. Further information on Private Ritsick is on display at the E.O. Austin Home Historical Society Museum in Austin, Pennsylvania. 






Private Robert I. Roberts, Austin, served in the Korean War.  He was Killed In Action on May 28, 1951.  There is a picture of his Funeral Color Guard in the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum. 





Private First Class Howard W. Thompson, Wharton Area, was Killed In Action in Germany in World War II.  I have learned that his nickname was "Chain", but don't know why. There is a picture of PFC Thompson in the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum. 



Private Fred Van Why, Austin,  served in the Army during World War II from 1943-1945.  He reenlisted in 1950 when The Korean War broke out.  He was Killed In Action on February 8, 1951.  There is a picture of Private Van Why in the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum. I am proud to say that he is my uncle.