Area Korean War veterans will be honored at a service to be held at Christ United Methodist Church in Tyrone on Sunday, May 25 at 7 p.m.
The public is invited to attend to share in the event recognizing these veterans who served in the conflict between communist and noncommunist forces in Korea from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953.
WTRN will be broadcasting the service Sunday night at 7 p.m. as well.
State Rep. Jerry Stern will be presenting medals and certificates to 120 veterans throughout this area, or a member of their family, at that time as a way of saying, “Thank you for your service to our country.”
At the end of WWII, Korea was divided at the thirty-eighth parallel into Soviet (North Korean) and United States (South Korean) zones of occupation. In 1949, rival governments were established: The Republic of Korea was proclaimed in the South and the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea in the North.
Relations between them became increasingly strained, and on June 25, 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea. The United Nations quickly condemned the invasion as an act of aggression, demanded the withdrawal of North Korean troops from the South, and called upon its members to aid South Korea.
Casualties of American soldiers were placed at over 54,000 dead and 103,000 wounded, while Chinese and Korean casualties were each at least 10 times as high.
A patriotic service is planned for the church located at Pennsylvania Avenue and Fourteenth Street. The Rev. Barry Neal extends an invitation to everyone to attend. Pastor Bernie Bookhammer will participate as well at the ceremony. The evening will include patriotic music and a salute to all branches of the Armed Forces with Anna Myers at the organ.
Twenty-two Tyrone Area Korean War Veterans, who have continued to meet once a month over the years, will be in attendance and have many displays set up throughout the church.
Two Tyrone soldiers were recipients of the Silver Star for their gallantry in action during the Korean War. They include the late Ray “Elmo” Fasick whose wife, Betty, resides at 724 W. 15th St., Tyrone and Patsy DelBaggio.
Officers of the Tyrone Area Korean Veterans include: Jack Gorman, Commander; Jack Sleeth, Vice Commander; Don Kimberling, Quartermaster; Leonard Miller, Secretary; Bob Grazier, Treasurer and Ed Lehman, Chaplain. Bob Grazier is also social chairman and Jack Sleeth, parade coordinator.
Other members of the group include: Ray Clark, Charles Nulton, Joseph Scordo, John Nearhoof, Dan McMonagle, Ron Zimmerman, Samuel Waite, Daniel (Boone) Thomas, Joe Diehl, William Hunter, Richard Hampton, Merril Bickle, Donald McCahan, Gordon Cox, Charles DeArment, and Russell Ball. Four deceased members include: Ray E. Fasick, Gene Maitland, Thomas J. Tingle and Dave Cowher.
Members of the area group extend an invitation to other Korean War Veterans to become members of its organization. The group meets once a month on the second Wednesday at 8 a.m. at Chill and Grill in Bald Eagle for breakfast. Every summer the group, wives included, take trips to such places as Washington, D.C., Gettysburg, Washington Crossing, the United States Air Force Museum and other points of interest as well as having picnics. They also have an annual dinner with a key note speaker, usually held at the Bald Eagle Grange.
Many of the veterans travel within a 40-mile radius to participate in parades in Jack Sleeth’s duce-and-a-half and a jeep throwing out candy to youngsters along the parade route.
“Korean veterans looking for something to do, come join us,” Jack Sleeth said in extending an invitation from the area group.
