From staff reports
Local World War II veterans who shared glimpses of their military experiences at a luncheon honoring them last October will see their stories shared in a public program hosted by the Redbank Valley Historical Society.
Cindy Morgan said the event will be the first public viewing of a DVD made last year and then merged with two previously recorded videos which Morgan and her husband, Dennis, preserved and now are showing to the general public.
The DVD unveiling will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, in the social rooms of the First Presbyterian Church, located at the intersection of Penn and Wood streets. It will feature 15 men from what has been identified as the “Greatest Generation.”
When they shared glimpses of their military experiences from World War II, the camera was rolling for Adele Smith, a Hawthorn producer of this video recording. Now her work will be available for the public to purchase.
In addition to hearing comments from the 15 veterans, the DVD also includes two “bonuses.” One of these bonuses is the previously referenced in-depth interviews recorded in 2006. Those interviews involved Clarence Troup and the late Herbert Bowser, the latter of whom had been a prisoner of war of the Germans.
Those who purchase a DVD will also receive a listing or more than 800 World War II veterans who have been interred in 30 area cemeteries. The material will name the cemeteries and the names of veterans buried there. The information has been provided by the Veterans Affairs offices in Armstrong and Clarion Counties.
“We wanted to capture these World War II veterans on film as they shared some of their experiences, and we knew it was important to act quickly because the sad reality is that they are passing away at a rapid rate.
“Most vets of that era are at least 90 years of age. They were fortunate to not only survive the war when tens of thousands of their comrades did not, and they have been further blessed with their post-war decades.
“We want them to know we will never forget them, and the DVD is one way of preserving those memories,” Morgan said.
Those wishing to order a DVD may do so by contacting Redbank Valley Renaissance at info@RedbankRen.org or by calling (814) 275-1718. Inquiries may also be made to the historical society’s president (814) 221-6225. The cost of the video is $20 and mail orders will have an added fee of $4 above the purchase price to cover shipping costs.