The Tyrone Community Partnership’s agenda is remembering the past and creating a future.
The new organization picked up where the old main street program left off, including a former fundraiser that led to a planned dedication ceremony at the Tyrone Historical Railroad Park and Bud Shuster Intermodal and Transportation Center on Saturday, June 21, 2003 at 11 am.
Ann G. Searer, one of three people from the old board of the main street program, continues to work with the partnership and talked to us this morning about the special event coming up.
“This remembrance wall project actually started in the mid 1990s and was an idea for both memorializing people and former railroaders, and also as a fundraiser,” Searer told The Daily Herald this morning. “We worked the first year with the Rotary Club in selling bricks and splitting the money 50/50, that latest one year and then all the money went to the main street program.”
The remembrance wall has been erected for years and bricks memorializing residents, railroad families, even past Tyrone high school classes. Orders for bricks have been good over the years and continue to drift in. Residents can still order bricks as a few slots are left in the wall. There is a certain limit to the amount of words that can appear on a brick. The cost of a brick is only $40 dollars.
The dedication ceremony will also include a flag pole that was given to the park by Westvaco, but was never dedicated. The flag pole will fly both the United States and Pennsylvania flags.
“Bill McMann, a former President of the main street program will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.” said Searer.
And Boy Scout troop 306 will be present for the flag raising ceremony.
A number of people have been invited to the event including dignitaries, officials, people and businesses who have contributed or helped in the project. Those in attendance will speak during the ceremony. “Representative Jerry Stern and Larry Sather or their representatives will be there and Tyrone Mayor Pat Stoner will speak.” added Searer.
The entire community is invited to the ceremony to take place on Saturday, June 21, 2003 at 11 am at the railroad park and station. Weather permitting the ceremony will be held outside with punch and cookies to be served inside the train station afterwards.
To reach the Tyrone Community Partnership for more information or to purchase a memorial brick call 684-2676.
