thedrifter
01-29-06, 08:45 AM
Heroes' salute: Ceremony honors WWII vets
Sunday, 29 January 2006
By ED CONRAD
edconrad@standardspeaker.com
Standard Speaker
They held a get-together of heroes at Hazleton Area High School Saturday, honoring the veterans of World War II from the Hazleton area. Some arrived in wheelchairs, others using canes or braces, some needing assistance to keep from losing their balance.
But most, the firm and infirm alike, proudly displayed some memento of their courageous youth when they contributed to America’s greatest victory.
It was a testimony to upwards of 200 veterans or their loved ones from the 116th Legislative District who received a certificate and a medal from state Rep. Todd Eachus.
The certificate saluted each of them “in grateful appreciation for your devotion to duty in the service of your country during World War II.”
Eachus explained the awards in greater detail.
“Here today are more than 200 men and women who saved the world from tyranny,” he told those present. “You were all heroes and, for you, the war is still in your hearts and minds.”
Eachus pointed out that those assembled were just part of the 16 million men and women who answered the call – so very patriotically – after the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
“There were lots who weren’t as lucky as you (who returned home alive). We all honor their memory.”
Eachus received a grateful thank you from each veteran when he hung a medal around their head, shaking their hand and expressing his appreciation and that of all Americans.
“We owe you a debt of gratitude, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to do so. We are both humbled and honored for what you have done … with your sacrifice in blood,” he said.
It was then that an eerie chill filled the gymnasium when the Hazleton Area High School band broke into a sizzling rendition of “The Halls of Montezuma,” then continued with a medley of other familiar tunes.
The veterans, along with their families and friends, applauded enthusiastically.
Brig. Gen. James R. Joseph of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard also saluted the veterans, praising those being honored as members “of the greatest generation.
“Pennsylvania knows too well the numbing chill of losing its own sons and daughters (in wartime),” said Joseph, former Hazleton police chief and now director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
Many Pennsylvanians, he noted, were among the 229,000 who lost their lives in World War II, nearly 10,000 of them in the U.S. Merchant Marines. ”Whether it was World War I, World War II … the losses weigh heavily on those who were there,” he said.
However, he said it enabled “our nation to realize its greatest achievement … thank you for your service to your country.”
Highlights of Saturday’s ceremony included the national anthem sung by Vanessa Vicoso, a student at Holy Spirit Academy, and the patriotic World War I song “Sleep Soldier Boy,” rendered by Jack Jennings, chaplain of American Legion Post 473 of Freeland.
Then, too, there was a somber remembrance to all POWs and MIAs by Leo Valovich, chairman of the Community Veterans Memorial Council.
As Valovich spoke, an empty chair stood before him – a military helmet on its seat and a pair of combat boots on the floor in front.
“The chair in front of us is empty but it’s not empty,” he emphasized, saluting the memory of all of America’s POWs and MIAs.
As for those who were honored, one veteran stood out because – and quite hard to believe –he was wearing one of his medical dress uniforms from World War II.
Dr. August A. Ciotola, who’ll be 92 in August, said his first priority upon receiving an invitation to the veterans’ testimonial was searching the closet to find his uniform, then to see if he could still fit into it.
His wife, Virginia, seemed skeptical while he was trying it on and announced, almost in shock, “It still fits!”
Asked why it was still in such great shape, Ciotola replied with a grin: “We’ve kept it in the closet.”
Having served in the Southwest Pacific from 1942 to 1946, Ciotola said the testimonial was a grand occasion “and a great feeling to bring us all together.”
Returning home from the war, Ciotola established a medical practice in Hazleton – as a general practitioner – and devoted a half-century to his profession before retiring.
Asked if he was proud and delighted to have been one of the veterans honored, he nodded in unmistakable agreement.
“For sure,” he replied. “Absolutely!”
Ellie
Sunday, 29 January 2006
By ED CONRAD
edconrad@standardspeaker.com
Standard Speaker
They held a get-together of heroes at Hazleton Area High School Saturday, honoring the veterans of World War II from the Hazleton area. Some arrived in wheelchairs, others using canes or braces, some needing assistance to keep from losing their balance.
But most, the firm and infirm alike, proudly displayed some memento of their courageous youth when they contributed to America’s greatest victory.
It was a testimony to upwards of 200 veterans or their loved ones from the 116th Legislative District who received a certificate and a medal from state Rep. Todd Eachus.
The certificate saluted each of them “in grateful appreciation for your devotion to duty in the service of your country during World War II.”
Eachus explained the awards in greater detail.
“Here today are more than 200 men and women who saved the world from tyranny,” he told those present. “You were all heroes and, for you, the war is still in your hearts and minds.”
Eachus pointed out that those assembled were just part of the 16 million men and women who answered the call – so very patriotically – after the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
“There were lots who weren’t as lucky as you (who returned home alive). We all honor their memory.”
Eachus received a grateful thank you from each veteran when he hung a medal around their head, shaking their hand and expressing his appreciation and that of all Americans.
“We owe you a debt of gratitude, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to do so. We are both humbled and honored for what you have done … with your sacrifice in blood,” he said.
It was then that an eerie chill filled the gymnasium when the Hazleton Area High School band broke into a sizzling rendition of “The Halls of Montezuma,” then continued with a medley of other familiar tunes.
The veterans, along with their families and friends, applauded enthusiastically.
Brig. Gen. James R. Joseph of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard also saluted the veterans, praising those being honored as members “of the greatest generation.
“Pennsylvania knows too well the numbing chill of losing its own sons and daughters (in wartime),” said Joseph, former Hazleton police chief and now director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
Many Pennsylvanians, he noted, were among the 229,000 who lost their lives in World War II, nearly 10,000 of them in the U.S. Merchant Marines. ”Whether it was World War I, World War II … the losses weigh heavily on those who were there,” he said.
However, he said it enabled “our nation to realize its greatest achievement … thank you for your service to your country.”
Highlights of Saturday’s ceremony included the national anthem sung by Vanessa Vicoso, a student at Holy Spirit Academy, and the patriotic World War I song “Sleep Soldier Boy,” rendered by Jack Jennings, chaplain of American Legion Post 473 of Freeland.
Then, too, there was a somber remembrance to all POWs and MIAs by Leo Valovich, chairman of the Community Veterans Memorial Council.
As Valovich spoke, an empty chair stood before him – a military helmet on its seat and a pair of combat boots on the floor in front.
“The chair in front of us is empty but it’s not empty,” he emphasized, saluting the memory of all of America’s POWs and MIAs.
As for those who were honored, one veteran stood out because – and quite hard to believe –he was wearing one of his medical dress uniforms from World War II.
Dr. August A. Ciotola, who’ll be 92 in August, said his first priority upon receiving an invitation to the veterans’ testimonial was searching the closet to find his uniform, then to see if he could still fit into it.
His wife, Virginia, seemed skeptical while he was trying it on and announced, almost in shock, “It still fits!”
Asked why it was still in such great shape, Ciotola replied with a grin: “We’ve kept it in the closet.”
Having served in the Southwest Pacific from 1942 to 1946, Ciotola said the testimonial was a grand occasion “and a great feeling to bring us all together.”
Returning home from the war, Ciotola established a medical practice in Hazleton – as a general practitioner – and devoted a half-century to his profession before retiring.
Asked if he was proud and delighted to have been one of the veterans honored, he nodded in unmistakable agreement.
“For sure,” he replied. “Absolutely!”
Ellie