Correspondent
Sept. 12 was the Patriots at the Park veteran’s event at Mt. Pisgah State Park. Hosted by The Friends of Mt. Pisgah State Park, the event had a robust turnout of around 100 veterans, guests, vendors and presenters.
Several vendors were present at the event held at the upper pavilion near the nature center at the park. The U.S. Census Bureau had a table present and were reminding everyone that it is still not too late to fill out the census! The census can be filled out online at my2020censusgov, more information at 844-330-2020.
Also present was Bradford County Big Brothers Big Sisters match specialist Rebecca Hamilton. Those interested in working with BBBS can find them at bbbstwintiers.org.
Representatives from the Bradford County Library were showing off their bookmobile and the bookmobile’s expanded route through the county.
Speaking of bookmobiles, the Bradford County veteran’s services mobile van (the former bookmobile) was on scene to discuss veteran’s issues with anyone who stopped by.
Last but not least was Geek the Library. Geek the Library is a campaign and organization with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that works to raise awareness of public libraries through connecting people to subjects they’re passionate about, the two examples on posters at the tent were worms and engineering.
At 12 o’clock the program formally started with a march in by the Penn York Highlanders Band. The Highlanders played several pieces written to honor the five branches of military service, including the bagpipe rendition of Hard Times Come No More, a piece originally written by famed American composer and Athens and Towanda native Stephen Foster, for whom the lake at Mt. Pisgah is named.
Following the Highlanders was the flag ceremony with VFW Post 8675. This preceded an invocation by Pastor Jennifer Jones and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by Colleen Kinney.
President of Friends of Mt. Pisgah Maren Callahan then addressed the crowd briefly. Callahan reminded everyone there would be a drawing at the end of events for 5 quilts, each with a distinct pattern regarding the 5 branches of the military made by Mary Campbell. She also apologized for the lack of a true “meal” as are normal in past events but, out of concern of COVID risks, the Friends of Mt. Pisgah had turned to pre-packaged snacks like popcorn, chips, trail mix, and cookies. She then welcomed the Keynote Speaker, Canton native Dan Shaffer. Shaffer is a retired captain of the US Navy who, among other achievements commanded the USS Ross, a guided missile destroyer, and was serving at the Pentagon during the 9/11 attacks. Shaffer talked about the minor chaos of the time, noting “The Pentagon is a large building. We in the mess hall didn’t know we’d been hit until we saw it on television. He also recounted noticing several servicemen he knew who’d been in Washington DC who had rushed over as soon as they could to try to help at the Pentagon. Shaffer commented on the resiliency of the American people in the aftermath of the attacks saying “We were all one people in those following days.” He also likened the rescue and damage control responses at the World Trade Center to the valiant efforts of the crew of the USS Cole. The Cole had been hit by a suicide boat bomb on October 12th 2000 and the crew fought for several days to prevent the ship from flooding before it was capable of being towed to port to undergo extensive repairs. 17 sailors had been killed and 39 injured in the attack.
Following Mr. Shaffer was Pennsylvania State House Representative Tina Pickett, who presented the Korean Ambassador of Peace medal to Mr. Joseph Kozak. Pickett read a letter on behalf of the Korean people thanking Mr. Kozak for his role in serving in the US Navy during the Korean war. Mr. Kozak served as a bosun during the war and was awarded the UN Service Medal for Korea as well as the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars. Staffers from the offices of State Rep Clint Owlett and Congressman Fred Keller also thanked Mr. Kozak and all veterans present for their service to their country and Pickett read a statement from PA Senator Pat Toomey saying Mr. Kozaks “Bravery was an example for all Americans’’.
Next up Mr. Kozak, as well as Retired Air Force Lt. Colonel John Herrington and former Army Sergeant Glenda Slater were each presented a hand-made Quilt of Valor. Presented Deb Struble said “The quilts let the recipients know they are always remembered for their service.”
The event came to a close with the singing of America The Beautiful by Kinney and a Benediction by Pastor Jones. Bradford County Dairy Princess Taylor Wholeslagle was on scene to hand out ice cream to event goers.