By Keith Gushard
Alton Throop says he’s drawn by the camaraderie of brothers and sisters in arms.
“I wanted to celebrate life with the rest of the veterans,” said Throop, 83, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II who lives in Mosiertown. “I’m glad to see something like this going on. I wish more communities would do this. A lot of boys put their lives on the line and didn’t come back.”
Throop was one of more than 100 local veterans honored Tuesday at Active Aging Inc.’s ninth annual, “Through a Veteran’s Eye: A Salute.”
The program, drawing about 300 people to the Lew Davies Community Center in downtown Meadville, featured a free community breakfast and speakers on the importance of Veterans Day.
Gilbert Harriman, 92, of Edinboro, a U.S. Navy veteran, agreed with Throop.
“I enjoy all this,” said Harriman, who was with his
wife, Roberta. “The last time we came was two years ago. It was great.”
While honoring veterans from all conflicts, this year’s program particularly hailed those who had served during World War II.
There were about 46 million veterans from World War II, with about 26 million still alive. However, the U.S. is
losing about 1,000 World War II veterans a day, said Col. U. Karl McGregor, this year’s featured speaker.
It’s men like Throop, Harriman and others who served during World War II who help make this country great, said McGregor, who is commander of the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio.
However, all veterans — whether serving during wartime or peace — are heroes, he said.
“Veterans are the sword and shield of America,” Mc-Gregor added. “They served with selflessness and devotion to country.”
Doing military service changes a person for the better, said McGregor, who has served in the Air Force for 32 years and saw duty in Iraq and Kuwait.
“It put the thought in me ‘to serve something larger than me,’” he said.
When those under his command are to be deployed, McGregor said he tells them it’s natural and OK to be afraid, but it’s also OK to rise above those feelings and complete the mission.
“It’s the dues you owe to the men and women standing around you,” he said. “It’s a defining moment of your life.”
Tuesday’s program opened 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.
At the flag-raising, Republican state Sen. Bob Robbins, himself a U.S. Army veteran, said Americans should be thankful for all veterans, particularly today’s since the country depends on an all-volunteer force.
“Each of them considers it the highest honor to stand guard for their nation,” Robbins said. “They are proud to represent a country that believes so strongly in maintaining freedom for people like you and me.”
Following McGregor’s remarks, all veterans in attendance were honored with a special photo opportunity organized by their branches of service.
There also was a separate 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.
Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.
Locals among deployed Air Force unit
Col. U. Karl McGregor, commander of the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, has more than 1,400 Air Force Reservists under his command, including those from Crawford County. McGregor has operational control of 12 C-130H aircraft. He also is the civilian leader for 400 Air Reserve technicians and civil service employees.
Recently about 40 Air Force Reservists from the Youngstown Air Reserve Station were deployed to Iraq. Among those from the local area are SSgt. William Pelc of Conneaut Lake, MSgt. Jason Swartout of Meadville, CMSgt. John Amato of Meadville and Maj. Robert Golenberke of Conneaut Lake.
The unit is handling aerial port duties including the loading and unloading of military cargo planes, Col. McGregor said.
