THE LYCOMING VET. ~ In Memoriam ~ Master Sgt. Sean Michael Thomas LYCOMING COUNTY OFFICE OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. December 28, 1973 ~ March 27, 2007

Transcription

1 LYCOMING COUNTY OFFICE OF VETERANS AFFAIRS THE LYCOMING VET VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 MAY 2007 ~ In Memoriam ~ Master Sgt. Sean Michael Thomas December 28, 1973 ~ March 27, 2007 Photo courtesy of the PA Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs

2 Lycoming County Mourns Loss of Army National Guard Member and Hughesville Native M aster Sgt. Sean Michael Thomas was killed in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 27 during a rocket attack. He was a Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldier serving with the Harrisburg-based 28th Division Support Command. Photo courtesy of the PA Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs Born December 28, 1973 in Salinas, CA, he was a son of Daniel Sr. and Diana (Matteson) Thomas of Hughesville. Sean was a 1992 graduate of Hughesville High School, where he was actively involved in tennis, wrestling, soccer, and football. INSIDE THIS ISSUE COUNTY MOURNS LOSS OF HUGHESVILLE NATIVE PREPARING FOR MEMORIAL DAY & THANKS TO ALL GI BILL: ALIVE & WELL 5 CONGRESSMAN CHRIS CARNEY 5 SPOTLIGHT ON: VETERANS OF VIETNAM WAR POST PA-51 SEARCHING FOR WWI DOUGHBOYS REMEMBERING LT. SPANGLE 7 PAGE 1, 2 3, 4 WHO WAS ROLAND RITTER? 8, 9 PRICELESS TREASURES SIX YEARS AFTER , 11 IN THE NEWS/MEMORIAL DAY 12, 13 LOCAL AGENCIES 14 OUTREACH SCHEDULE 15 AREA LEGIONS, VFWS & MORE 15 CONTACT INFO 16 Sean also attended Penn State University, where he was a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity. Thomas served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1992 to 1998, when he joined the Pennsylvania National Guard. He worked full-time at the Fort Indiantown Gap Property Book Office. He and his wife, Carrie Gwen (Rogers) Thomas of Walker Township, would have celebrated their first wedding anniversary on April 8. They are the parents of six-month-old Alexa. Surviving in addition to his wife and parents are brothers Daniel, Jr. (Jen) Thomas, David (Holly) Thomas, both of Hughesville, and sisters Melinda (Jamie) Flick, of South Williamsport, and Kelly (Frank) Gillis, of Groton, CT, and a number of nieces and nephews. Sgt. Thomas proudly served our nation and our state for the past 15 years and he always set an example for others to follow, said Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, the state s adjutant general. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Carrie, his infant daughter, Alexa, and his extended family. Words cannot describe the loss we feel. Photo courtesy of the PA Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs

3 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 PAGE 3 Preparing for Memorial Day M ay 28th marks Memorial Day for The Veteran Affairs Office began planning months ago by ordering 119 gross of flags that s 17,136 flags to be placed on veteran s graves. With 144 cemeteries in Lycoming County, that becomes quite an undertaking. We would not be able to accomplish this task without the large number of groups and individuals who volunteer to assist us. They range from service groups to families that have adopted and maintained cemeteries for many years. I ask all volunteers to take the time to straighten any flag holders so the flag can be displayed as it should. The sheer beauty of a cemetery with flags flying is a sight that brings high emotions to the families of our fallen heroes. We honor each veteran, old and new, as a patriot for the freedoms that we enjoy today. In 1951, an article appeared in the Williamsport Gazette & Bulletin which highlighted the behind-the-scenes work that occurs to place the flags on the graves before Memorial Day. Charles Mahaffie was the county director for Veterans Affairs and, at that time, he was responsible for just over 4,000 graves. Today, in 2007, that number has grown to over 17,000. See the chart at the right that shows how the numbers have changed during the past 56 years: 1951 # of Veterans War Revolutionary War War of Civil War 2,774 2,778 Mexican War 2 2 Indian War 0 3 Spanish Am. War WW I 824 3,420 WW II 254 8,399 Korea War 1 1,314 Vietnam War Persian Gulf - 22 War on Terrorism - 3 Peace time At left, Charles E. Mahaffie, the county veterans grave registrar in 1951, is seen kneeling beside the grave of Capt. Simon Cool, a Revolutionary War veteran buried near Lycoming Creek. At right is Don Cohick, the current Veterans Affair Director, kneeling at the same spot as he is placing a flag at Capt. Cool s grave. Carrying a sickle to cut the long grass, as Mr. Mahaffie did, is no longer a necessity.

4 PAGE 4 THE LYCOMING VET We would like to thank the staff members of cemeteries in the county as well as these caring individuals and organizations who volunteered to place flags at veteran graves this year. We appreciate your help! VOLUNTEER(S) CEMETERY(IES) Mike Adams St. Boniface George Paucke Cedar Run Gayle Keesey Bluestone Ken Kelley Jersey Mills Francis Boyer Barbours John Clark Salladasburg Corey Harvey Picture Rocks Bill Lantz and local Boy Scout Troops Williamsport Robin Bowers and local Girl Scout Troops Twin Hills and Ohev Shalom John Heck Mt. Zion (Brady Township) VFW Post 844 West Wildwood and VFW Plots Doug Lane Edgewood and Freedom Road American Legion Post 104 Montoursville and Resurrection Steve Carl Various cemeteries (Don s assistant) Tom and Mary Crawley, Sue Fazekas, Don Farrar, Chris Farrar and Ray Wilson Pleasant Hill (early placement on April 6 for burial of Master Sgt. Sean Thomas) American Legion Post 35 Mount Zion (Penn Township), Green Valley, and Fribley Robert Drexel Slate Run Baptist, Slate Run Methodist, Callahan, and Utceter American Legion Post 36 Jersey Shore and Jersey Shore American Legion Plot Don Shemory Old English Run, Boatman, Waterville, Browns Island, Cammel, and Tombs Run VFW Post 3428 Germany, Fairview, Franklin Stone Heap, Lungerville, Lairdsville (Old and New), Gordner, Salem, Richards Grove, Moreland Lutheran, Moreland Baptist, and Moreland Methodist VFW Post 7863 Mosquito Valley, James Bower Farm, Bastress, Oval, Collomsville (Public and Private), Sanders Farm Plot, Elimsport, and Zion Lutheran American Legion Post 1 East Wildwood and American Legion Plot William Henry Mound (West Wildwood), Mount Carmel, and GAR Circle Korean War Veterans Buchanon, White Church, Good Shepherd, Trout Run, Steam Valley, Pennsdale, State Road, and St. Michael s Lutheran Mike McMunn Huntersville Trinity, Huntersville Webster, and Freidens (Buttonwood) VFW Post 5859 Limestone, Antes Fort, Pine Creek, and Woodward Township Carl Franz Christian Hill, Crawford Oak Lawn, Kurtz Family Plot, Quaker Hill, Rose Valley, McGoven, Bruchlacher, Stoltz, Balls Mills, Bloomingrove Road, Edler Family Plot, and Buckley American Legion Post 251 St. Johns Lutheran, Clinton Baptist, William Hummel Grave, Green Lawn, and Fairview Nelson Lowe; Am. Leg. Post 268 Muncy, Friends, Halls Station, Old Emanuel, Walton, and Hill Family Plot

5 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 The GI Bill: Alive & Well O n June 22, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law one of the most significant pieces of legislation ever produced by the United States government. The Servicemembers Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights, would impact the United States socially, economically and politically. Thanks to the GI Bill, millions who would have flooded the job market instead opted for education. By the time the original GI Bill ended on July 25, 1956, 7.8 million of 16 millions WW II veterans had participated in an education or training program. Millions also took advantage of the GI Bill s home loan guaranty. It makes provision for guarantee by the Federal Government of not to exceed 50% of certain loans made for purchase or construction of homes. These loans can also be used for remodeling of homes, refinancing of homes, and land purchase with construction of a home. A loan must be obtained through a lending PAGE 5 institution. Having a VA home loan guaranty is like having a co-signer and many mortgages will have discounts. The education part of the GI Bill helps with tuition and receives a monthly living allowance while pursuing their studies. Eligibility generally expires 10 years from release from active duty, but can be extended under special circumstances. Reserve and National Guard members have education benefits as well. From a one year enlistment for prior service to bonuses for three and six year enlistments. A prior service member coming off active duty can use his GI Bill and get money for education from the Guard. Prior service members can even get previous student loans paid up to $20, Non-prior service members who want to join can get $20, sign-on bonuses and get 100% of their college tuition. Service in the active duty Armed Forces, Reserves and National Guard can help you with education and buying a home. Please contact your local recruiter and ask about the GI Bill and other enlistment bonuses. Congressman Chris Carney Visits Williamsport; Talks to Vets A Lt. Commander in the United States Navy Reserves, Congressman Carney served multiple tours overseas and was activated for operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Southern Watch. One of his priorities in Washington is: Taking care of our military. We must support our troops while they are abroad and when they come home. As a lieutenant commander in the Navy Reserves, I will continue to be a strong voice for our men and women in uniform. That is why I have called for increasing tax cuts for our veterans and military families. We have brave men and women who are risking their lives to defend our country. At the very least, they should have the health care, financial stability and educational opportunities waiting for them and their families when they return home. O n Friday, April 13, Congressman Carney made a visit to the area during a town meeting at which more than 50 people, many of them military service veterans, attended. At the meeting, Carney talked about the Iraq War and his concern that the Iraqi military does not have the ability or desire to bear the burden of maintaining security in the country. He said he is also disturbed by reports of widespread corruption among Iraqi police. Carney said he is supporting a bill that would give National Guard and Reserve members up to 10 years to use their GI Bill education benefits. Other resolutions supported by Carney include a 2 percent income tax cut for veterans who serve 90 days or more in a combat zone and a 2 percent income tax cut for active duty personnel. To contact Congressman Carney in Washington: 416 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC Phone: (202) , Fax: (202) To contact him in Williamsport: 175 Pine St. Suite 103, Williamsport, PA Phone: (570) , Fax: (570)

6 PAGE 6 THE LYCOMING VET Spotlight on: Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. Post PA-51 Our Post is an organization open to any and all Veterans of all eras and wars. We also have members that have never been in the service. Everyone is invited. We have many activities through the year. Most of our events are the parades we attend. Our main fundraiser for our Post is a raffle ticket sale. We will have those at all of our functions, and we hold our drawing for that at our August meeting. Call now to Order your Apple Dumplings! Our fund raisers have already started. We had a sandwich sale for the month of April. Our next event will be an Apple Dumpling sale. Orders for those will be due on May 9 th with delivery on May 16 th. Our contact person is Sandra English at Military Shows Scheduled On Armed Forces Day, May 19 th, we are having a military show at Wal-Mart in Montoursville. There will be vehicles on display and members of the local National Guard will be present. We will be selling our Post merchandise as well as something good to eat. At this event we will be collecting items to sent to our troops over seas. If you have a person you would like a package sent to, please stop by with a name and address. On July 28 we will have our second military show at the A-1 Auction Hall on Rte 15. Stop by to see us at Sam s Club in August On August 11 we have a Burger Burn at Sam s Club. At that event we will also be collecting canned food products for Beacon House. That is a home for homeless Vietnam Veterans. Busy Parade Schedule: Watch for us at the following parades:! Montandon May 27 th at 1:00PM.! Hughesville May 28 th at 9:00 AM! Muncy May 28 th at 11:00 AM! Loganton May 28 th at 2:00PM! Wellsboro June 16 th at 1:45PM! Lewisburg June 30 th at 10:00AM! Millville July 4th at 9:00 AM! Jersey Shore July 15 th at 6:30PM...and stop by our booth at the Fair July 12-21! Our biggest event every year is our fair stand at the Lycoming County Fair. Please feel free to stop by and visit. Our events are usually never ending in the summer. And there are more to come. Please check us out in your next issue of The Lycoming Vet.

7 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 PAGE 7 VA Searching for Last Doughboys of World War I With the number of known living American veterans of World War I now standing at four, the Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking public assistance in determining whether others are still alive. These veterans have earned the gratitude and respect of the nation, said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. We are coming to the end of a generation that helped bring the United States to the center of the international arena. The Secretary asks members of the general public who know of a surviving World War I veteran to contact VA. To qualify as a World War I veteran, someone must have been on active duty between April 6, 1917 and Nov. 11, VA is also looking for surviving Americans who served in the armed forces of allied nations. Information about survivors can be ed to ww1@va.gov; faxed to , or mailed to the Office of Public Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs (80), 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC Death of Lt. William Spangle in 1950 Remembered in Marshall Islands On September 19, 1950, Lt. William Granger Spangle II USNR was killed off Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. He was a naval aviator transporting 11 Navy nurses and other military personnel to Japan in support of the Inchon Landings and whose plane crashed shortly after takeoff from that atoll. A memorial was dedicated on Monday, February 26, 2007, in memory of the 26 people who perished in that crash. Lt. Spangle s father, Lyell Spangle, was one of the co-founders of American Legion Post #1, in Williamsport. Spangle s son, William G. Spangle of Arlington, Va., was born Nov. 24, 1950, two months after his 27-year-old father was killed in the Lt. j.g. William Granger Spangle II crash. In a recent article from the Worcester (MA) Telegram & Gazette, Mr. Spangle said of the Kwajalein memorial: The cost of our freedom and what we take for granted is that somebody had to do the dying. I just want these people never to be forgotten. According to the report on the accident, the airplane was on a routine flight from Naval Air Station, Barber s Point, Hawaii. The nurses were flying from Hawaii to Japan to set up a hospital in Yokosuka for treating the Korean War wounded. Their airplane had stopped at Kwajalein to refuel. The plane underwent routine servicing and refueling, and departed with a relief crew that included Lt. Spangle, a 1945 US Naval Academy graduate and WWII veteran. Ninety seconds after takeoff, the airplane crashed into the sea, burned for 20 minutes and sank about one mile from the island in 200 feet of water. All aboard were killed. For his service to his country, Lieutenant Junior Grade Spangle was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia Clasp. Information for this story was made available by William G. Spangle, Arlington, VA; the American Battle Monuments Commission; the Worcester (MA) Telegram & Gazette; and Beverly C. Vencill, former secretary of the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll/Reagan Test Site legal department, who was instrumental in establishing this memorial.

8 PAGE 8 THE LYCOMING VET WHO WAS ROLAND RITTER? Lt. Roland H. Ritter A s you may have read in our February issue of The Lycoming Vet, Hughesville suffered the loss of only one soldier, Glenn Sharrow, during WWI. Muncy also suffered only one casualty, a young aviator named Roland H. Ritter. Born in 1892, Ritter graduated from Muncy High School in 1911 and went on to graduate from the Drexel Institute in The following year, he enlisted in the Signal Reserve Corps, which was the name of the military aviation service of the United States Army from 1914 to He trained at Columbus University and then with the British Royal Air Force in England and Scotland. He was a member of the U.S. Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps of the British Expeditionary Forces in France. He was commissioned as first lieutenant in March, Flying an airplane in 1918 was an amazing phenomenon that was risky as well as exhilarating. Lt. Ritter was killed as he was flying over enemy lines on August 24, He was buried in an English cemetery in France until he was re-interred in the Somme American Cemetery in Bony, France. The American Legion Post #268 in Muncy is named after Lt. Ritter in honor of his service. Ritter was a hometown hero who realized the danger in his chosen career as a pilot. He wrote several letters home, which are now safely in the possession of his nephew, William Ritter of Muncy. One of the letters is especially poignant in its message and Ritter s thoughts of the future: Dear Folks I have given all that I have and I am sure that I will have no regrets. I have become pretty much of a fatalist and seem to feel that something is going to happen. I have lived fairly well in the past and I am not afraid of the future. ~ continued on next page Lt. Ritter, at right, with friends in June 1918, two months before his death.

9 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 PAGE 9 I like to think now that since one must go sometime, isn t it a most wonderful way to go, fighting for one s country and that fighting is done in the greatest way possible. Of all the millions of people living today it is very few who are granted such a privilege. [Note: the privilege Ritter is referring to is the experience of flying.] I pray every day that I may come back home to you but if it is not meant to be, be brave and realize that it is for the best. I only wish I could express my thoughts as Alan Seeger does in his poems*; they are well worth reading and express much that I feel. God keep you well and make you happy Your son, Rol *The poet that Lt. Ritter mentioned in his letter was a young American poet who joined the French Foreign Legion and was killed at the front in A collection of his poetry was printed in 1917, and the following poem may have been included in Ritter s reference above: Rendezvous by Alan Seeger I have a rendezvous with Death At some disputed barricade, I have a rendezvous with Death At some disputed barricade, When Spring comes back with rustling shade And apple-blossoms fill the air-- I have a rendezvous with Death When Spring brings back blue days and fair. It may be he shall take my hand And lead me into his dark land And close my eyes and quench my breath-- It may be I shall pass him still. I have a rendezvous with Death On some scarred slope of battered hill, When Spring comes round again this year And the first meadow-flowers appear. In July, 1931, Lt. Ritter s mother made the trip to France with mothers of other servicemen who died in the war. There, they visited the Verdun battlefield and the military cemeteries where their sons had been buried. This is the site of Lt. Ritter s grave at the Somme American Cemetery. God knows 'twere better to be deep Pillowed in silk and scented down, Where love throbs out in blissful sleep, Pulse nigh to pulse, and breath to breath, Where hushed awakenings are dear... But I've a rendezvous with Death At midnight in some flaming town, When Spring trips north again this year, And I to my pledged word am true, I shall not fail that rendezvous. Photos courtesy of Sue Lowe and Bill Ritter

10 PAGE 10 THE LYCOMING VET Priceless Treasures Six Years After By: David L. Richards I n 2001, I authored a small volume entitled Priceless Treasures, which is a history of the Muncy Soldiers Memorial. Located in the southwest corner of Muncy Cemetery, it was dedicated on a dreary day in October, 1869 to commemorate seventy-one sons of Muncy and vicinity who had lost their lives during the late unpleasantness now generally called the American Civil War. I had known of the monument since the 1960s and had often wondered in a casual way about those seventy-one patriots whose names are engraved on the monument s now badly weathered panels. In the late 1980 s however, I became seriously re-interested in the monument, and had the opportunity to actually research the fates of these seventy-one soldiers commemorated from that distant time and war. By using records found at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., I was able to bring the past back to life. These included compiled military service records, pension records, regimental muster rolls and papers; carded medical records, descriptive rolls, order books, and casualty reports. Amazingly, personal correspondence, and on rare occasions even photographs came to light. Over time, a sad, revolting tale began to emerge as long forgotten stories of sacrifice and suffering were revealed. More than ten years of research produced an astonishing amount of information about these martyred heroes. In every case save one, the details behind their deaths were uncovered. And what a tale it was. At times in excruciating detail we learned that thirty-seven had been killed in action or died from their wounds, in some cases months after receiving those wounds. Twenty-three more would succumb to disease, sickness and fever. During this era of primitive medical science such maladies as measles and chicken pox, bad water to poorly prepared food could cause life threatening situations. Perhaps worst of all, six had the grim distinction of dying in the squalor of Confederate prisoner of war camps, including some at the notorious stockade near Andersonville, GA. Occasionally, simple day to day life proved fatal. One man drowned while bathing in the waters of the James River. Another drowned in that same river over one-hundred miles away while desperately attempting to escape Confederate captivity. Life came cheap during this epic American tragedy. The average age was about 25 years, perhaps a bit older than I would have expected. Their fates varied, as well as their occupations. There were as least nineteen farmers, three carpenters and two each of the following: canal boatman, shoemaker, clerk, teacher, and student. The group also included a lawyer, a butcher, a cabinet maker, a member of the clergy, a cooper, a distiller, a lumberman, a mechanic, a merchant and a miller. Regrettably, the occupations of ten others were never recorded. Surprisingly, at least twenty-three different regiments were represented, but over half served in only four; the 34 th Penna., (or Fifth Reserves), 84 th Penna., and 131 st Penna. all infantry and 5 th PA Cavalry. And these men fell in some of the greatest battles of the war. The costliest proved to be Fredericksburg (December 13, 1862) and the actions at The Wilderness and Spotsylvania (May 5-12, 1864). These three battles alone claimed fifteen lives. Ironically, only one was killed at Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863), the single bloodiest battle of the war. One poor soul Reverend Robert Pott died from wounds on March 31, only nine days before Lee surrendered at Appomattox, effectively ending the war. Nearly one third would have their identities lost in the tumult and confusion of the battlefield, or in the masses that found their way into overcrowded and understaffed hospitals. Hence, they lie today in unknown graves, all far from family and home. Sad times indeed for Muncy and vicinity. Continued on next page

11 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 PAGE 11 During research, I also made some other interesting discoveries. For one, the Monument included names of soldiers from as far away as Lairdsville, several miles up Little Muncy Creek, Alvira down in Brady Township, and even Plunkett s Creek Township over in the Loyalsock Valley. It was obvious that this was truly a community memorial with names from much of eastern Lycoming County. It also became evident that numerous soldiers from these very same communities had been strangely omitted from inclusion on the memorial. Why would that be? It remains a mystery and no plausible reason has been uncovered to explain this discrepancy. Perhaps the names were originally inscribed by subscription; so many families may not have had the financial resources to pay for this service. Regrettably, no proof of a subscription fee has surfaced, so this may well be an incorrect assumption. Therefore, using the original parameters of those listed on the monument as a guide, and then expanding it somewhat to include all of eastern Lycoming County, I began to compile a list of all those missing patriots. Included in this expanded region were the boroughs of Muncy, Hughesville and Montoursville, as well as the surrounding townships of Muncy, Muncy Creek, Wolf, Moreland, Franklin, Jordan, Penn, Shrewsbury, Clinton, Brady, modern-day Mill Creek, Plunketts Creek, Fairfield and Upper Fairfield. This naturally included the various small boroughs and villages in those same townships as well. The sources utilized for gathering new information were as varied as the original research. These included those same government records found at the National Archives and contemporary issues of the Muncy Luminary. These alone proved invaluable. In addition, numerous descendents and genealogists stepped forward with many additional names and leads, sometimes even oral stories handed down through the generations since the war. What a bonanza that proved! Another key resource was found at the Veterans Affairs Office in Williamsport. A complete listing of all veterans buried in Lycoming County is faithfully kept on file there, and these records proved invaluable in translating illegible tombstones or locating graves with non-existent markers. A trickle soon became a flood, and we have now effectively doubled our figure from seventy-one to over one hundred and forty soldiers that died during the Civil War from this small section of Lycoming County. And that even excludes her largest community of Williamsport. This was an astounding figure for such a small, rural section of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. When one begins to realize the magnitude of this area s sacrifice during America s costliest war, it is easy to imagine the incredible price paid by the entire county. And, of course, the same sad stories emerged, mirroring the original study. Today, through the auspices of the Muncy Historical Society, those missing patriots are now being honored for the first time. By placing paving stones around the monument, many with names and units engraved upon them, these forgotten patriots are now receiving their long overdue notice. This technique has allowed the monument to remain untouched, enduring just as it was dedicated nearly 140 years ago. Many thanks are due to Bill and Linda Poulton and others of that fine organization for their dedication to preserving and perpetuating our local history. Over 140 years ago, when the war still loomed large and the sacrifice of their husbands and sons weighed heavy upon their minds, Muncy and her citizens created a lasting edifice to the cherished memory of her lost souls. They are to be commended for their effort in seeing this project through to completion and we can only marvel at their dedication to a cause. Today we are fortunate and honored to have inherited this beautiful memorial from our past and claim it as our own. This is, after all, one of America s oldest Civil War memorials. The graves of a nation s defenders are among her most priceless treasures. (This excerpt is from a letter written by Chaplain Charles A. Raymond on August 17, 1864, addressed to Mr. Jacob Heivley of Brady Township, informing him of the death of his son Thomas Jefferson Heivley that day at Fort Monroe, Virginia.) This brick paving stone honors James P. Koons (Kuntz), who is buried at Hughesville s Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Picture Rocks native David L. Richards has been a licensed battlefield guide for Gettysburg National Military Park since He lives in Gettysburg with his family and continues his research.

12 PAGE 12 THE LYCOMING VET IN THE NEWS: FROM THE HOUSE & SENATE COMMITTEES ON VETERANS AFFAIRS The House Committee on Veterans Affairs reviews veterans' programs, examines current laws, and reports bills and amendments to strengthen existing laws concerning veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs, such as for health care, disability compensation, GI bill education and job training, home loan guarantees, life insurance policies, and a nationwide system of veterans' cemeteries. ( The U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs reviews programs and agencies for veterans, examines current laws impacting veterans, and develops legislation to improve existing laws concerning veterans. We also hold confirmation hearings on those nominated by the President to fill positions within the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. (http: //veterans.senate.gov/) 2008 BUDGET RESOLUTION FOR INCREASED VA H EALTH CARE FUNDING PASSED BY HOUSE Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee Bob Filner (D-CA) announced at the end of March that the House passed a budget resolution for 2008 which provides increases for VA health care by $6.6 billion over 2007 figures. The increased funding is $3.5 billion over the Administration's request. This budget is significant because it begins to address the needs of America's veterans, said Chairman Filner. Democrats have demonstrated unwavering support for our nation's veterans by working for the largest annual increase in VA health care spending in 77 years. A number of veterans' service organizations have offered support for the budget proposal, including The American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. This budget is about fulfilling a moral obligation to those who have served, said Chet Edwards (D-TX), Chairman of the Military Constructions and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee and a Budget Committee member. It is about recognizing that supporting our veterans is a real cost of war, just as real as guns, tanks and bullets. It is about remembering that our veterans sacrifices don t end after they return home, and neither should our commitment to them. LEAKY ROOFS, MOLDY ROOMS...THESE CONDITIONS SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED. U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, issued the following statement in response to the Department of Veterans Affairs self-assessment on the quality of VA s health care facilities. The review was sent to Chairman Akaka yesterday by VA Secretary Jim Nicholson. It was heartbreaking to read the review s findings of many subpar conditions in VA medical facilities, such as leaky roofs, deteriorating walls, and moldy rooms, and even a bat infestation at one VA facility. These conditions should not be accepted in any medical facility in this country, especially not in veterans facilities. Like all Americans, I am deeply concerned about the quality of care our veterans receive. Many of the study s findings are shocking, and demand action now. I am encouraged by Secretary Nicholson s decision to order all Medical Centers to take corrective actions immediately. VA must fix the problems highlighted in their self-assessment right away. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, I will make sure VA makes necessary improvements. Whether this requires additional funds, including emergency maintenance funding, or legislative solutions and increased oversight, I stand ready to help VA better serve our wounded warriors. They deserve better, and we owe it to them.

13 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 PAGE 13 Voluntarism is Up By: Vicki Lewis, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Lycoming County In 2005, more teenagers, boomers, and older adults chose to give back to their communities and increased the levels of voluntarism in the United States to a thirty-year high. Adult voluntarism increased more than 32 percent between 1989 and 2005, largely because of involvement by three age groups teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19, baby boomers and others aged 45 to 65, and older adults 65 and over. In a report sponsored by Corporation for National and Community Service, the time volunteered by older teenagers (ages 16-19) has more than doubled since 1989, while the volunteer rate for older Americans has increased 64 percent since 1974 and boomers are volunteering at sharply higher rates than did their parents at mid-life. The study analyzed voluntarism rates in 1974, 1989, and using information from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Among other things, it found that educational and youth-service organizations received the largest increase in volunteers (63 percent) between 1989 and 2006, and that the proportion of Americans contributing to religious organizations has decreased from 37 percent to 36 percent since Yet, even with the overall increase in levels of voluntarism; however, less than a third of American adults volunteer. The major implication of this study is an opportunity for non-profit organizations and informal education organizations to engage more Americans in their organization and in ultimately making their communities stronger. Bottom line: Our community is stronger when YOU volunteer! LYCOMING COUNTY FLOOD WARNING WEBSITE The Lycoming County Department of Public Safety and the Department of Planning and Community Development provide important flood warning information on the county government website ( to assist residents and community leaders.! Rainfall Data! Stream Levels! River Levels Please review this information for your safety and the safety of others. Thank you, Gary Hutchinson, Director Lycoming County Department of Public Safety ghutchinson@lyco.org MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS PLANNED Memorial Day events and parades have been scheduled at the following locations. Please watch for updated information on our website ( and in area newspapers. In the past, parades and services have also been held in Picture Rocks, Montgomery, Jersey Shore, Turbotville, and Watsontown.! Veterans Memorial Park W. 4th St. & Wahoo Dr. May 26th at 2:00 PM! Montandon May 27 th at 1:00PM! Hughesville May 28 th at 9:00 AM! Muncy May 28 th at 11:00 AM! Loganton May 28 th at 2:00PM

14 PAGE 14 LOCAL AGENCIES THAT SERVE THE VET The VA Outpatient Clinic was established July 1997 on the Campus of Divine Providence Hospital in the Wenner Building, 1705 Warren Avenue, Suite 304, Williamsport, PA Phone: Fax: Open: Monday Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Scheduled appointments only ~ No Emergency Services/No walk-ins Services Include: Primary Care, Enrollment/Eligibility forms, Psychiatry, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Social Services, Counseling, Lab, Nutrition services, and Immunizations. THE LYCOMING VET The Williamsport Vet Center, located at 805 Penn Street, Williamsport, PA, provides readjustment counseling and outreach services to all veterans who served in any combat zone. Our services are provided at no cost to the veteran or family. Our hours are M-F 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Evening and weekend hours are by appointment only. NOTE: The information disclosed in counseling is held in strictest confidence. Every effort is made by staff to ensure clients privacy rights are not violated. Information obtained in the counseling session cannot be released to any source unless the veteran gives their written authorization. The role of the Veterans Employment Representative at the Pennsylvania CareerLink - Lycoming County is to assist Veterans with their employment and training needs. The PA CareerLink Lycoming County office is located at 145 West Third Street in Williamsport and is open Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays. Please feel free to contact either of the Veteran Employment Representatives for assistance. LOCAL VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE HONORED BY STATE DEPARTMENT OF VA Don Cohick with Bruce Foster On Thursday, March 15, 2007, during a commissioners meeting, Lycoming County Office of Veterans Affairs coordinator Donald L. Cohick Jr. was presented a plaque recognizing his efforts in ensuring county veterans receive the benefits to which they are entitled. The plaque was presented by Bruce Foster, Supervisor of Veterans Services at the State Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. According to Foster, the plaque, which recognizes Cohick for superior performance in 2006, was well earned. Cohick was responsible for substantial increase in veterans benefits that year, which in turn had a positive impact on the economy of the county and the quality of life of its veterans, he said. The office s efficiency can be measured by the fact that county ranks 28th in the state in the number of residents who are military veterans, yet it ranks in the top eight counties as far as the amount of veterans benefits awarded each year, he said. Cohick thanked the county Human Services Department, which his office operates under, and department administrative specialist Joan Blank for supporting his work. I couldn t do it without the Human Services Department and Human Services staff, he said. He also thanked the commissioners for supporting a full-time Veterans Affairs coordinator because the office receives no state or federal funding for operating expenses. Similar-sized counties have coordinators who put in far fewer hours and process fewer claims, he said. His office processed $642,000 worth of new claims, including claims for veterans who suffered service-related injuries or illnesses, disability pensions for retired veterans and death pensions for widows of veterans. The current fiscal year, which runs from June 30, 2006, to July 1, 2007, has already exceeded last year s new claims total, Cohick said. By January, $500,000 in claims were processed, he said.

15 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 PAGE 15 COUNTY VA O FFICE ~ OUTREACH SCHEDULE To make it more convenient for veterans living in the eastern and western parts of the county, the VA Office comes to you! Feel free to stop in at the following locations in May and September: Tuesday, May 8-1:00 to 4:00 PM Jersey Shore Outreach: Don Cohick will be at the American Legion Post 36, George Webster Pepperman, 320 Seminary Street, Jersey Shore, PA ~ NO OUTREACH IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE, JULY, OR AUGUST ~ Tuesday, September 11-1:00 to 4:00 PM Muncy Outreach: Don Cohick will be at the VFW Post 3428, Edward J. Smith Post, 12 North Market Street, Muncy, PA AM. LEGION, VFW & OTHER COUNTY VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS American Legion Post 1- Garrett Cochran 10 E. 3rd St., Williamsport, PA Phone: Lloyd Brooks, Adjutant American Legion Post 35- Glenn Sharrow 78 N. Main St., Hughesville, PA Phone: American Legion Post 36 - George Webster Pepperman P.O. Box 211, Jersey Shore, PA Phone: American Legion Post Eugene Grafius 1312 Broad St., Montoursville, PA Phone: American Legion Post Bower Decker 185 Broad St., Montgomery, PA Phone: American Legion Post Roland Ritter 515 Legion Rd., Muncy, PA Phone: American Legion Post Royal P. Steinbacher 901 Market Street, South Williamsport, PA Phone: Jim Lusk, Commander Gail Eppler, Adjutant & Secretary VFW Post Howard W. Kahler Post 1260 W 3rd St., Williamsport, PA Phone: VFW Post Edward J. Smith Post 12 N Market St., Muncy, PA Phone: VFW Post Billy O. Brandt Post 201 N. Lincoln Ave., Jersey Shore, PA Phone: VFW Post Le Roy O. Buck Post 150 Shaffer St., Williamsport, PA Phone: Veterans of the Vietnam War Post PA 51 P.O. Box 23, Hughesville, PA Web site: Commander: Randall Sayman Phone: Korean War Veterans of Lycoming County, Inc. P. O. Box 3232, Williamsport, PA Commander Fred Schaefer Phone:

16 County of Lycoming LYCOMING COUNTY OFFICE OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Suite 104 Executive Plaza Building 330 Pine Street Williamsport, PA Mailing Address: 48 West Third Street Williamsport, PA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REBECCA A. BURKE, CHAIR RICHARD T. NASSBERG, VICE CHAIR ERNEST P. LARSON, SECRETARY We are here to help you... 1 SG Donald L. Cohick (Ret.) Lycoming County Director of Veterans Affairs dcohick@lyco.org Fully accredited as a Veterans Service Officer by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Twenty-seven years combined military service Joan C. Blank Administrative Specialist jblank@lyco.org Fully accredited as a Veterans Service Officer by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Visit our Web site: for up-to-date news and information for veterans The Lycoming Vet is published quarterly by the Office of Veterans Affairs in Lycoming County, PA Contributors: Sue Lowe, Bill Ritter, Vicki Lewis, Gary Hutchinson, David L. Richards, Joan Blank & Don Cohick Editor/layout & design: Joan Blank info to: jblank@lyco.org Phone: or Fax: To make an appointment, please call Karen M. Lusk Secretary Office Hours Monday through Friday 8:30 AM 5:00 PM Closed weekends and major holidays. Do you have announcements or information to share? The Lycoming County Office of Veterans Affairs invites you to submit articles and items of interest to be published in the next edition of The Lycoming Vet, which are published quarterly on the first of August, November, February, and May. Deadline for article submissions are the 15th of the month previous to publish date. For questions or to make submissions, please contact Joan Blank at the Veterans Affairs Office.