It’s Crawford County’s annual way of saying thanks to its more than 10,000 veterans on Veterans Day.
Active Aging will host the ninth annual “Through a Veteran’s Eye: A Salute” Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at the Lew Davies Community Building, 1034 Park Ave. Meadville. The free program includes an opening flag-raising ceremony, free public breakfast and speakers.
“It’s really important to say, ‘thank you,’ ” said Pam Roberts, community service director at Active Aging Inc. who helps coordinate the program. “We’d never be able to be here without their sacrifices.”
There are approximately 26.4 million
veterans nationwide with 10,589 in Crawford County, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.
While the program will recognize all former or current service men and women in attendance, a special emphasis this year is being placed on World War II veterans. It’s because surviving World War II veterans are in their 80s or older, according to Roberts.
“We’re losing them,” Roberts said of the World War II era veterans.
The organizing committee had 12 World War II veterans on it when the event began nine years ago, she said. Now, because of the ravages of time, it has just three, with younger veterans now taking places on the committee.
George Wright, committee chairman, encourages anyone to come out to the program which annually attracts about 300 people.
“It’s upbeat,” said Wright, who is a U.S. Air Force veteran from the Cold War-era. “It recognizes the sacrifices made by all the veterans and their families. We want to treat our veterans as heroes.”
This year’s program will be a one-day event. About every three years, Active Aging hosts a multi-day event with speakers and elaborate displays of military memorabilia.
Festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday with an outdoor flag-raising ceremony conducted by the Meadville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006, Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 52 of Meadville and the U.S. Marines 4th Truck Co. of Erie.
Republican state Sen. Bob Robbins will offer some brief remarks at the flag-raising. Robbins, whose district includes Crawford County, is a U.S. Army veteran.
The event then will move inside the center for a continental breakfast followed by guest speaker, Col. Udo Karl McGregor, commander of the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio. McGregor is commander of more than 1,400 Air Force Reservists and has operational control of 12 C-130H aircraft. He also is the civilian leader for 400 Air Reserve technician and civil service employees.
Following Col. McGregor’s remarks, all veterans in attendance will be part of a special photo opportunity that will be organized by their branch of service. There also will be a separate special photo recognition for World War II servicemen and women.
“Through A Veteran’s Eye: A Salute” is made possible by funding from Vantage Health Care Network, The Meadville Tribune, Golden Living Centers, Armstrong and Active Aging Inc.
Vantage is sponsoring the breakfast while the photo shoot is sponsored by Golden Living Centers and The Meadville Tribune.
Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.
A Veterans Day salute concert is set Tuesday night at Meadville Area Senior High School.
The “WDOG Radio Show” is Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Meadville Area Senior High School, 930 North St. Ext., Meadville.
The school’s jazz band and string ensemble combine for salute to song and dance from 1940s, including such songs as “White Cliffs of Dover,” “American Patrol,” “Fascination” and commercial jingles.
Cost is $5 for adults, $3 students and senior citizens, and free for veterans with ID.
All proceeds benefit Crawford Central School District’s instrument donation fund.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Veterans Salute eyed to honor vets' sacrifices
- Local News
-
-
If Conneaut Lake was home for your ‘love story,’ tell it on Monday
Nancy Aubel remembers the summers she spent at Conneaut Lake in the 1940s and ’50s as if they were yesterday.
-
‘Thug behavior’ lands man in jail; bail $200,000
A Meadville man is in Crawford County jail in lieu of $200,000 bail following a dual arraignment on Pennsylvania State Police and Meadville City Police charges stemming from a string of events that began Sunday between 3 and 4 p.m. in West Mead Township and ended several hours later in Meadville.
-
Community agencies planning Children's Fair for April
As Crawford County child abuse numbers rank among the most disturbing in the state, officials of local courts and agencies are busy finding ways to increase public awareness of child abuse and its prevention.
-
Ice would be nice for upcoming fishing tournaments
The 2012 Conneaut Lake Ice Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Feb. 25, but organizer Jerry Van Tassel isn’t holding his breath when it comes to running the event as planned.
-
Budget, aesthetics a balancing act at Armory
The next time there’s a moment or two to spare for quiet contemplation, pause in the vicinity of the City of Meadville’s picturesque Diamond Park. Let your eyes rest on Parkside Commons, the meticulously refurbished structure at the northeast end of the park that was once known as “the old junior high.” Make a point of focusing on the windows.
-
Former rockers Drywater enjoying glow from album's rebirth
It’s funny how perceptions can differ from one person to the next; how what sparkles in one set of eyes can appear tarnished in another.
-
Edinboro site eyed for retirement homes
About two years after halting expansion plans into the Conneaut Lake area, Meadville-based Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community now is looking to expand north into Erie County, possibly sometime in 2013.
-
Langley voted in as Meadville City Council's new member
“Pleased” is the word that best describes Bob Langley’s response to the news that he had been selected to fill Meadville City Council’s vacant seat.
-
French Creek conservation group to benefit from environmentalist's talk
When one of the world’s best known environmentalists, the author and activist Bill McKibben, speaks next week at Allegheny College, his audience will likely be putting some money where its heart is — right into French Creek.
-
Vernon Police chief suspects 'human interaction' in Sunday fire
An investigation is continuing into a weekend fire that destroyed a historic structure in Vernon Township, and Vernon police are urging anyone with information to give them a call.
- More Local News Headlines
-
If Conneaut Lake was home for your ‘love story,’ tell it on Monday
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
