Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Medal of Honor recipients Sgt. Sammy Davis and Lt. Col. Harold Fritz took part in Veterans Day ceremonies this morning in Veterans Square in Bradford. At 3:30 this afternoon they will be at the Zippo/Case Museum, where they will install a commemorative Medal of Honor Zippo lighter/Case knife set. The public is invited. You can see more pictures of today's Veterans Square event on our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/1490wesb . WESB photos The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

On Sunday, November 9th at 10 am Mass, St. Bernard’s Church will celebrate the Living and Deceased Veterans of the United States Armed Services. All veterans and their families are invited to attend. Mass will be followed by a small luncheon with soups, sandwiches and pies in the Parish social center. Parishioners are encouraged to attend this mass in appreciation of all that Veterans have done to preserve our freedom in this country and our freedom to worship our loving God. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two Medal of Honor recipients – a man whose life was saved by a Zippo lighter, and the man known as the “real” Forrest Gump – will be honored at the Zippo/Case Museum on Veterans Day. The two American heroes will install special Medal of Honor commemorative lighter and knife sets at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the museum. Harold Fritz was leading a column of heavily armored vehicles through Quan Loi in 1969 when they were ambushed by North Vietnamese fighters. Thrown from his vehicle, Fritz led a point-blank charge on the enemy and was hit several times by shrapnel and small-arm rounds. One particular blow on the left side of his chest knocked him down. He was evacuated by helicopter, but when he returned to the battlefield later that day, he found a Zippo lighter that had been given to him as a going away present by his wife. It had been in his left breast pocket, where it stopped the bullet that would otherwise have killed him. Fritz received his Medal of Honor from President Nixon in ...

HARRISBURG – The state House on Monday unanimously passed legislation authored by state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) that would recognize the contributions of Clearfield and Elk County veterans to our communities and our country. House Bill 1135 now moves to Gov. Tom Corbett’s desk for his signature into law. “Officials from Huston Township and Johnsonburg Borough approached me about designating roadways in honor of our veterans, and it was a pleasure working with all of them to get this accomplished,” Gabler said. “Both communities are very proud of their veterans, and this is just another way to show that pride. It has been a pleasure working with the Huston Township supervisors, Johnsonburg Borough Council and Johnsonburg Mayor Theresa Cherry to enact this fitting tribute to our local veterans.” House Bill 1135 would designate the Route 153 bridge over the Bennett Branch in Penfield as the Huston Township Veterans Memorial Bridge. Additionally, it would re-name the ...

Legal troubles continue to mount for a Port Allegany veteran suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. 45-year-old Diane Ayala is now accused of charged more than $3,500 on another person’s credit card and the Crosby’s store on South Avenue, Dollar General in Eldred and McKean County E-Sales in Smethport. She was sent to McKean County Jail in lieu of $35,000 bail. Last week she was charged by Olean-based state police with stealing $77 worth of merchandise from the Allegany Wal-Mart. All of these happened while she is on probation for confronted three non-American men inside the Bradford McDonald’s in November. In January, when sentencing her to a year of probation and 40 hours of community service, McKean County Judge John Pavlock urged Ayala to avoid further unlawful activity. In 2012, she was convicted of welfare fraud for receiving nearly $7,000 in medical assistance and transportation benefits. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

President Barack Obama next month will award the Medal of Honor to two Vietnam soldiers and a Union Army lieutenant for his heroics during the historic Pickett's Charge assault at the Battle of Gettysburg, the White House announced Tuesday. Read more here . Photo from Wikipedia The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The gazebo in Veterans Square was re-dedicated this afternoon after being repainted and refurbished to look more like the original gazebo that was in the town square more than 135 years ago. Chamber of Commerce Director Ron Orris spearheaded the project, and Mayor Tom Riel congratulated Orris on yet another job well done. He added that a lot of people could learn from Orris, a shining example of someone who is dedicated to Bradford. In his remarks, Orris said he wanted to make sure the gazebo was finished for the upcoming Kinzua Walleye Weekend. Later, he decided the days prior to the Fourth of July would be fitting to re-dedicate a structure in a park dedicated to veterans. After the brief ceremony Orris told WESB that the red-white-and-blue bunting on the gazebo was hand-stitched by workers at Quinn Flags in Hanover, Pa. Pictured, Main Street Manager Anita Dolan, Ron Orris, Tom Riel WESB photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – The State Senate has unanimously approved legislation to offer more disabled Pennsylvania veterans reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses, according to Senators Joe Scarnati (R-25), Lisa Baker (R-20) and Scott Hutchinson (R-21). Senate Bill 1102, authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, would reduce the cost of fishing licenses for disabled veterans to $1 for an annual license. Senate Bill 1090, authored by Senate Labor & Industry Committee Chairwoman Lisa Baker and Senate Communications & Technology Committee Chairman Scott Hutchinson would reduce the cost of hunting licenses for disabled veterans to $1 for an annual license. “These bills are a small way to honor those who have helped to protect our freedoms and will ensure that more disabled veterans have access to enjoy our Commonwealth’s great outdoors,” Senator Scarnati said. “Pennsylvania’s disabled veterans have made a tremendous sacrifice for our country and face many challen...

Zippo has issued its latest collectible set, honoring the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. Presented in a special gift box and accompanied by a wartime replica brass Acme clicker, or “Cricket”, this set has been created as a tribute to the courage and ingenuity of those who served on 6 June 1944. The U.S. Army’s 101st and 82nd Airborne divisions, “The Screaming Eagles”, who were the first troops to drop behind enemy lines, were equipped with a Zippo Windproof Lighter and Acme Cricket in addition to their standard battle gear. This gift set is a timely reminder of those who served in one of the world’s most important historical conflicts. About the commemorative lighter The design for the 70th Anniversary D-Day Zippo lighter was created by Zippo Design Center artist, Dave Dalton. The artwork depicts the welded iron girders, often referred to as “Czech hedgehogs,” that were half-buried along the Normandy coastline as an anti-tank defense measure and were visible in so many of the gripp...

Due to lack of manpower to secure intersections, all parade units will be lining up on Davis Street by Tops – through the back parking area at Best Western, and the remainder on Chestnut Street toward the fire station. 1st and 2nd Divisions will line up in the lane closest to Tops. 3rd and 4th Divisions in the outside lane closest to the railroad tracks. We are keeping the middle lane open for easier access lining up. Key Club Advisor Bernie Kuhn and his Key Club members will be on hand to help get everyone where they should be. Parade Committee members Valerie Meacham and Debi Bigley will be on hand as well. Those groups with floats may want to get there by 9 a.m. to get in place to decorate. Lineup is at 9:30 a.m. and parade kicks off at 10:15. This parade is about our veterans and they must come first and foremost. There will be a service in Veterans Square immediately following the parade. FIRST DIVISION - FORM AT DAVIS STREET Bradford City Fire Dept. Honor Guard Bradford...

First Lady Susan Corbett, along with Governor Tom Corbett (not pictured) delivered Christmas cards to residents at the Delaware Valley Veteran’s Home in Philadelphia. The cards were signed by staff at the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veteran’s Affairs (DMVA) headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap in Annville. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A woman told police she was having flashbacks from serving in the military during the Gulf War and that’s why she assaulted a man inside the Bradford McDonald’s last night. Police were called to the restaurant at about 11:30 p.m. because 44-year-old Diane Ayala had assaulted a patron of the restaurant. According to papers filed in District Judge Dominic Cercone's office, she went into the restaurant, approached three men, yelled racial slurs at them and then shoved and hit one of them. Two of the men are Chinese Nationals. The other is from the United Kingdom and of Greek descent. Ayala was in the parking lot when police arrived. They say she was highly intoxicated when telling them about her service in Operation Desert Storm. Ayala is jailed on $2,500 bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on December 5. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – The State Senate has unanimously approved legislation to offer disabled Pennsylvania veterans reduced-fee hunting & fishing licenses, according to Senators Joe Scarnati (R-25) and Lisa Baker (R-20). Senate Bill 1102, authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, would reduce the cost of fishing licenses for disabled veterans to $1 for an annual license. Senate Bill 1090, authored by Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee Chairwoman Lisa Baker, would reduce the cost of hunting licenses for disabled veterans to $1 for an annual license. “Pennsylvania’s disabled veterans have made a tremendous sacrifice for our country and face many challenges as a result of their service,” Scarnati said. “Providing them the opportunity to participate in hunting and fishing activities at a reduced fee is a way that we can thank them for their service and sacrifice.” “Expanding this bill to include any veteran who is rated as disabled ...

WARREN – This coming November, Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Forest/McKean) will host a ceremony honoring the men and women of the United States military who served in the U.S armed forces from 1990 (the time of the Persian Gulf War which ushered in the era of modern warfare) through the present (including the ongoing War Against Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan). To ensure as many veterans as possible receive recognition, Rapp is asking all local military veterans who served in any of these conflicts, their friends or their family members from the 65th Legislative District to contact her Warren office. “Beginning with World War II, over the past several years we have done an excellent job recognizing the heroic sacrifices of our veterans who served in each of the 20th century’s major military conflicts,” said Rapp, who serves on the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. “My objective in hosting this event is to complete this ever-expanding circle of hono...

A Chautauqua County National Guardsman who was an outspoken opponent of the military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was killed in a car crash in Rochester. 36-year-old Darren Manzella died after he was hit by an SUV while pushing a car on Interstate 490. Thursday night. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Manzella was a graduate of Brocton Central School and West Virginia University and an Iraq War veteran. In December of 2007 while serving in Iraq Manzella appeared on “60 Minutes” and talked about his opposition to “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” In June of 2008 he was discharged for “homosexual admission,” which was prohibited then, but isn't now. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Recognizing his outstanding record of military service during World War II and his contributions to the liberation of France in 1944-45, United States Army Air Forces Sergeant Herman E. White of Portville has received the honor of appointment to France’s National Order of the Legion of Honor. At a reception held this afternoon in Bradford, Pennsylvania, Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I - Olean) presented Sergeant White with the official medal conferred upon honorees inducted into the Legion of Honor. The National Order of the Legion of Honor is the highest decoration in France. Appointment to the Order is awarded by the President of France for excellent civil or military conduct, as confirmed after official investigation by the French government. Not limited to French citizens alone, appointment may also be conferred upon American World War II veterans who fought to liberate France from the occupation of Nazi Germany. “Herman White put his life on hold and answered the call to serve o...

By SANDRA RHODES Most people can’t imagine life without the slightest of conveniences – the smartphone, a television or car. Just think of what your life would be like without your limbs. But that is life day in and day out for David W. Riley, National 4th Jr. vice commander of the 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans. Riley will speak about his abilities, as well as his disability, at the Eighth Annual Willow Creek Triathlon set for Saturday. Proceeds from the triathlon benefit the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties. The day is set to begin at 7 a.m. with day-of registrations, if spots are available, at Quaker Lake in Allegany State Park in New York State. Registration has been capped at 400 participants. A rules meeting will take place at 9 a.m. with the start of the competition at 9:30 a.m. Competitors swim 300 yards in Quaker Lake, followed by a 15-mile bicycle ride to the Corydon Hotel, then a three-mile run to the Willows. The fastest compe...

An Emporium man who was recently honored during an event that recognized the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War has won a photo contest about the war and is headed to Washington, DC, to accept the award. Ken Ostrum served in Korea in 1953 and 1954 as a combat engineer advisor at a training camp. After the war, he stayed in Korea to help build orphanages and schools. For the contest – Remembered Moments in the Korean War – he submitted pictures with the orphans. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

By SANDRA RHODES The Willow Creek Triathlon committee is expecting this year’s event will be grand - one hundred thousand grand to be exact. That is the amount the committee is expected to surpass in donations to the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties. “Our event has grown in participation and in money raised for this worthy cause,” said Gregg Reynolds, the new race director. “We are very proud of what we have accomplished in a relatively short amount of time. This is something we could not do without the support of this community.” This sprint triathlon, in its eighth year, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3, starting with a 300-yard swim at Quaker Lake in Allegany State Park in New York State. That is followed by a 15-mile bicycle ride to the Corydon Hotel on Route 346. Runners complete the with a three-mile run to the Willows Restaurant. “One of the best things about our triathlon is the course was laid out by Mother Nature herself,” Reynolds said. “F...

Brigadier General Michael Gould, deputy adjutant general of veteran’s affairs, was the keynote speaker during today’s Memorial Day services in Veterans Square. Gould is a native of Coleville and a 1977 graduate of Otto-Eldred High School. You can listen to his speech, and the rest of the Memorial Day ceremony, here. Photo courtesy of Sandy Rhodes The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947