Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

We have more information about the Fredonia native who was earlier this week in Afghanistan. 28-year-old US Army Sergeant Jonathan Gollnitz was Wednesday in Pul-E Alam killed by a suicide bomber while on patrol with another soldier. Gollnitz and 29-year-old Staff Sergeant Orion Sparks of Tucson, Arizona, were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 91at Calvary Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Schweinfurt, Germany, according to the Defense Department. Gollnitz attended schools in the Fredonia School District through 11th grade, and graduate from the Levant Christian School in Falconer in 2003. Gollnitz’s family went to Dover Air Force Base yesterday to receive his body. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Someone stole flags and flagpoles from the memorial for a soldier from Kane who died while serving in Afghanistan. Police say sometime between August 1 and Monday someone went to the VanGiesen Memorial in Gibbs Hill Cemetery, broke 2 20-foot flagpoles off at their bases and stole them, along with a POW flag, a Pennsylvania state flag and an American flag. Ken VanGiesen died July 11, 2011, from wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his convoy with an improvised explosive device. He was a 1999 graduate of Kane Area High School, where he played football and he was honored at Saturday’s Big 30 game. Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact Kane-based state police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

President Barack Obama made a surprise visit to Afghanistan, landing aboard Air Force One at Bagram Air Base under the cover of darkness. The president planned to join Afghan President Hamid Karzai to sign a new Strategic Forces Agreement, setting out a path for the U.S. troop drawdown in Afghanistan. The president will speak to the American people in a live televised address from Afghanistan tonight at 7:30 ET. Watch live breaking news coverage now MSNBC. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A fraternity at Alfred State College has been suspended after its Greek letters were painted over a roadside mural dedicated to a soldier killed in Afghanistan. Kappa Sigma Epsilon has been temporarily suspended while the school investigates the matter. Friends of Army Sgt. Devin Snyder of painted her image and an American flag on a large rock alongside Interstate 390 in Livingston County. She died last June during an attack that killed three other soldiers. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

This year’s Don Raabe Big 30 Charities Classic will be dedicated to Staff Sergeant Kenneth Van Giesen who gave his life to preserve our freedom while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan on July 18, 2011. Ken was a three year letterman in football from Kane Area High School who played offensive center in the Raabe Classic on August 7, 1999. Six more area seniors have accepted invitations to play in the 39th Annual game on August 4, 2012, at Bradford’s Parkway Field. They are: Jacob Boll Bolivar Richburg Central School Off: Wide Receiver Def: Linebacker Height: 6’2” Weight: 185 lbs. Jacob plans to attend St. John Fisher after graduation to study nursing with the intention of becoming a nurse anesthesiologist. He was honored as a Livingston County all star for the 2011 season and was Bolivar-Richburg’s Scholar Athlete for 2010 and 2011. He played baseball and basketball in 2011 and received the Susan B. Anthony award and the Frederick Douglas award in 2011. Jaco...

From CNN: The United States and NATO will end their combat mission in Afghanistan next year, transitioning to a training role, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said. "Hopefully, by mid to the latter part of 2013, we'll be able to make a transition from a combat role to a training, advise and assist role," Panetta told reporters traveling with him to Belgium. The information was confirmed to CNN by a defense official. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously adopted a condolence resolution on Tuesday, sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Forest/McKean), in honor of Pennsylvania Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Kenneth VanGiesen. “Neither words nor countless medals can adequately account for the deep sorrow those who knew and love Sergeant VanGiesen must consistently endure due to his loss,” said Rapp during her official House floor remarks in support of House Resolution 439. “I wish his family and loved ones the comfort of knowing that his sacrifices will never be forgotten. Ken was a true hero and we will forever be in his debt.” A 1999 graduate of Kane Area High School, VanGiesen died in the Ghanzi province of Afghanistan on July 20, 2011, from wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his convoy with an improvised explosive device. Serving on his fourth active tour of overseas duty during his 12th consecutive year of service as a heavy-vehicle driver, light-wh...

Senator Pushes Pakistan to Help Protect U.S. Servicemembers on Trip to the Region WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, led a congressional delegation trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan between August 23 and August 30 to press government officials in the region to implement a strategy to restrict the flow of ingredients used to make roadside bombs, the biggest killer of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Senator Casey also met with military leaders and Pennsylvania servicemembers in Afghanistan to thank them for their service and discuss the situation on the ground in the fight to ensure that Afghanistan does not again become a haven for terrorism. “I was deeply impressed by the commitment and sacrifice of our troops in Afghanistan,” said Senator Casey. “Significant challenges remain, particularly in dealing with the corrosive effects of corruption and in fielding a full...

Rain didn't stop hundreds of people from showing up in Kane for the funeral services for US Army Staff Sergeant Ken VanGiesen, who was killed July 18 while serving in Afghanistan. WESB and The HERO's Stefan Arlington was there and took these pictures that show some of the ways Kane honored their Hometown Hero. Connie Magnuson Hall shared the photos taken outside the Ronald McDonald II Funeral Home and the school. Ruth Gentilman Peterson shared the photo from inside the school. (Thank you so much, ladies!)

Governor Tom Corbett has ordered all U.S. and Pennsylvania flags in the Capitol Complex and at commonwealth facilities in McKean County to fly at half-staff on Thursday in honor of Staff Sgt. Kenneth VanGiesen of Kane. VanGiesen was one of three Pennsylvania Army National Guard members killed on July 18 when an improvised explosive device detonated on their convoy in Afghanistan. The other men killed were Sgt. Edward Koehler of Lebanon and Sgt. Brian Mower of Halifax. VanGiesen's memorial service will be held Thursday at Kane Area High School. He was a 1999 graduate of the school.

Kenneth R. VanGiesen, 30, of Gorman Drive, Erie, formerly of Kane, died Monday, July 18, 2011 as the result of injuries sustained while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. Born August 3, 1980 in Kane, he was the son of Thomas A. and Susan J. Proashas VanGiesen. A 1999 graduate of Kane Area High School, he was a three year letterman in football and played in the Don Raabe Big 30 Classic. Later that year he joined the Army National Guard as a Technical Mechanic. Ken served four tours in twelve years, having served in Germany, twice in Iraq and later in Afghanistan. He served 1400 mobilized days in overseas deployment, being one of only 16 Pennsylvania National Guardsmen serving that level of active duty. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a member of the American Legion and the Loyal Order of Moose, both in Millcreek, the American Legion Riders and various VFW posts. He also was a member of the Kane Fish & Game Club. Surviving in addition to his parents of Kane are h...

From the Ronald McDonald II Funeral Home : TENTATIVELY, we believe that the service will be held at the Kane Area High School on Wednesday or Thursday. The day and time will be announced. Afterwards, the funeral cortege will leave the high school, turn onto Hemlock Avenue, then onto South Fraley Street and process thru "Uptown Kane" on its way to Gibbs Hill Cemetery for interment. THE CEMETERY SERVICE IS PRIVATE, but well-wishers my line the streets to pay homage to Ken's family en route.

A National Guard soldier from Kane has died in Afghanistan. 30-year-old Staff Sergeant Ken VanGiesen and two other members of his unit were killed Monday when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. The National Guard says the others who died are 47-year-old Sgt. Edward Koehler of Lebanon and 49-year-old Sgt, Brian Mowery of Hailfax. Five others were wounded, but their injuries are non-life-threatening. They were all serving with the 131st Transportation Company, 213th Area Support Group, which is primarily in charge of convoys and convoy security. VanGiesen was a 1999 graduate of Kane Area High School. He was on his fourth active-duty tour. He previously served in Germany from 2002 to 2003, Iraq from 2005 to 2006 with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 2009 with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team. His parents went to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware today to pick up their son’s body. The Ronald McDonald Funeral Home in Kane is handling the arrangements. http://pa.ng....

A National Guard soldier from Kane has died in Afghanistan. 30-year-old Ken VanGiesen and two other members of his unit were killed Monday when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. The National Guard and the Defense Department have not released any further details yet. The Ronald McDonald Funeral Home in Kane is handling the arrangements, which will be announced. http://kanerepublican.com/content/ken-vangiesen-kane-soldier-killed-afghanistan http://www.ronaldmcdonaldfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1213160&fh_id=12423

Flags at Half-Staff on Tuesday A Marine from Cuba, New York, has died in Afghanistan. The Department of Defense says, 25-year-old Sgt. Mark Bradley died Thursday while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Bradley was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Senator Catharine Young (R,I,C – Olean) issued the following statement: “I am deeply saddened to hear about the death of U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Mark A. Bradley of Cuba. He bravely served our country and laid down his life with honor to protect our freedoms. He is a true American hero. My thoughts and prayers are with the Bradley family and his friends who have suffered from this tremendous loss,” Young said. Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, June 21 in honor of Sgt. Bradley. "On behalf of the people of New York, I want to express my sympathy to the family, friends, and fellow Marines of Sergeant Bradley," Cuomo said...

I had the pleasure -- and great fortune -- to welcome New York Times Bestselling Author Patrick Robinson back to the show on Thursday. That's day his new book "The Delta Solution" hit book stores. For people who are not familiar with Robinson's "Mack Bedford" series -- Mack is a commander with the Navy SEALs. Although the book is not about last week's events involving Osama bin Laden, Robinson is an expert on the SEALs, having done research on them for both fiction and non-fiction books. I found his insights into the elite group fascinating. I hope you do, too. Listen here . You can find more information at PatrickRobinson.com Remember, you can check out books -- and lots of other things -- at the Bradford Area Public Library

A Chautauqua County soldier has been killed in Afghanistan. US Army Sgt. Kevin White was serving in an infantry unit east of Kabul near the Pakistani border when he died on Monday after his unit was attacked by an IED. White was a 2006 graduate of Westfield Academy and Central School. UPDATE: May 5, 2011 -- Cpl. White was posthumously promoted to sergeant. http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=14469

To read the story go to CNN.com .

Washington (CNN) -- A Kansas church known for its angry, anti-gay protests at funerals of U.S. troops won an appeal Wednesday at the Supreme Court in a case testing the competing constitutional rights of free speech and privacy. Read the full story at CNN.com . U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today released the following statement in response to today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Snyder v. Phelps case: “I am disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against the right of families of fallen troops to commemorate and grieve peacefully and privately,” said Senator Casey. “I supported the case filed by Albert Snyder through an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court. In light of this ruling, I hope that protesters would change their minds and respect the brave men and women who sacrifice their lives to protect our freedom.” Last year, Senator Casey signed on to an amicus brief filed to support the Supreme Court case to protect the right of families to not have milita...