Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

OLEAN – When Sergeant First Class Glenn Treaster stopped by Senator Catharine Young’s office in Olean to inquire about military medals, he had no idea he would be receiving so many awards. “When I learned about the medals, I thought, ‘You’ve got to be kidding.’ To me, this is awesome. I am getting something I didn’t know I had coming. I’m being honored. I’m on top of the world,” Sergeant Treaster said. Senator Young presented Sergeant Treaster with medals during a special ceremony at Central Baptist Church, where he serves as a substitute minister. The awards Sergeant Treaster received for his service, included the United States Army Achievement Medal with Device, New York State Medal for Merit, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and Cold War Recognition Certificate. He also earned the United States Army Achievement Medal with Device, New York State Medal for Merit, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, United States Army Career Counselor ...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Glenn `GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, today announced Ryan E. VanGuilder of Bradford, Pa., has accepted a fully qualified appointment to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ryan, the son of Jan and Alan Bean, is currently a senior at Bradford Area High School. “Ryan’s commitment to serve our country, coupled with superior academic achievement and leadership traits, will serve him well at the U.S. Air Force Academy,” said Representative Thompson. “The education, leadership training, and skills that Ryan will learn at the Academy will not only prepare him for a distinguished military career, but also give him the tools to succeed in life’s many challenges.” A member of the National Honor Society, Ryan will graduate from Bradford Area High School with a 100 cumulative grade point average, which includes both Advanced Placement and College courses. Ryan was also active in athletics as a member of the Varsity Soccer and Wresti...

ANGELICA, NY – Fifty years after U.S. Air Force Retired Second Class Airman Karl Grantier retired from the military, he received a medal and certificate recognizing his service. During a meeting at the Angelica American Legion on Thursday, Senator Catharine Young presented Airman Grantier with the Good Conduct Medal and a Cold War Recognition Certificate. “Airman Grantier served three years, four months and 15 days in the United States Air Force, and it is a tremendous honor for me to present this medal and certificate to him. He, like all our veterans, deserves our utmost respect, and I am grateful for the opportunity to thank him for his courage and dedication,” Senator Young said. Mike Hennessey, Director of the Allegany County Veterans Service Agency added, “I think it’s important for all our veterans to see the medals due them, no matter if they’ve been out of the military for 50 years. I appreciate the Senator’s office in helping to obtain them and present them. It means a lot to...

HARRISBURG – The state House has unanimously approved a resolution honoring an Emporium native who was killed in action in the Vietnam War more than 40 years ago, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint). The remains of Air Force Maj. Thomas Edward Clark were recently identified and will be buried in the family plot with Clark’s mother and father, Josephine and Otto Clark, on Saturday, Oct. 22 in Emporium. “It is an honor to pay tribute to this fallen soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country,” said Causer. “It is important that we bring all of our soldiers home, both to ensure proper burial and give closure to their families.” Gov. Tom Corbett has ordered the U.S. and Pennsylvania flags at the Capitol Complex and in Cameron County to be lowered to half-staff on Saturday in honor of Clark’s service. Clark was flying a Vietnam combat mission over Laos on Feb. 8, 1969, when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft artillery, burst into flames and crashed. The U.S. Air Force determ...

Thomas Edward Clark was born on April 15, 1939 in Emporium, Pennsylvania as the third son of the late Otto and Josephine Schager Clark. An avid hunter and fisherman, Tom enjoyed the outdoors. He was a star fullback at Cameron County High School, graduating with honors in 1957. After attending Penn State University for two years, Clark received an appointment to the Air Force Academy from which he graduated in 1963. The graduation ceremony included the first commencement address to the Academy from a sitting president, President John F. Kennedy. That same year Tom married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Mottern of Emporium. The 1963 Air Force Academy Yearbook states that Tom's goals were to be a pilot and a politician. On February 8, 1969 Captain Clark was flying an F-100D Super Sabre, of 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 37th Tactical Fight Wing, in a flight of four mission over Laos. The flight controlled by an F-4 Forward Air Controller, engaged a 23mm Anti-Aircraft Artillery...

Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson today introduced H.R. 1832, the Servicemembers’ Telemedicine & E-Health Portability (STEP) Act. The STEP Act will expand the current Department of Defense (DOD) state licensure exemption to allow credentialed health care professionals to work across state borders without having to obtain a new state license. “Members of our military should receive 21st century care and access to treatment regardless of the circumstances and Congress needs to make good on that commitment,” said Thompson. “This legislation removes out-dated requirements under current law so that geographic location is no longer an obstacle to the delivery of care for our Servicemembers.” Currently, the Department of Defense has limited ability to allow its health care professionals to provide care when the patient is in a different state. As a result, many who rely on military care are required to travel long distances to receive treatment, presenting increased financial burdens an...

The U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty’s New England Winds will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at St. Bonaventure University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. Presented by the Quick Center and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at St. Bonaventure, the concert is free and open to the public. The New England Winds have been recognized by audiences throughout the northeastern United States for their passionate and refined performances. Concert goers have been treated to a challenging repertoire with music from the Baroque era to newly commissioned works. Whether performing at small stage recitals or the International Double Reed Convention, the quintet creates an intimate musical setting through its versatility, its compelling and expressive music-making, and its ability to interact with listeners. Every member of the quintet is a dedicated chamber player with years of study on his or her instrument. This outstanding musical group is on tour from Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. T...

A new scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will benefit business students from Elk County. Ward and Lori Garner of Cranberry, a suburb of Pittsburgh, have pledged $5,000 for the creation of the Ward and Lori Garner/PBAA Scholarship. The Garners’ gift will be matched by the Agnes L. and Lewis Lyle Thomas Scholarship Challenge. Ward Garner graduated in 1989 from Pitt-Bradford, where he majored in business management. “I believe that much of my success is due to the education I received at Pitt-Bradford, and I want to give back and help one or two others achieve some success, as I have,” Garner said. “The key to solving social problems is education, and that’s what drives me.” He graduated from St. Marys Area High School and served five years in the U.S. Air Force before enrolling at Pitt-Bradford. Garner dabbled in entrepreneurship as a disc jockey from 1985 until 1998. Last fall, Garner received the Pitt-Bradford Alumni Association Distinguished Volunteer Award for h...