They have been called the “Greatest Generation,” and at 3 p.m. May 18, Cambria County World War II veterans will be honored for their service and sacrifice to this country.
State Rep. Ed Wojnaroski, D-Johnstown, announced Friday that 1,017 veterans have registered to attend the recognition ceremony that will be held at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena, 326 Napoleon St. in downtown Johnstown.
The number of those attending has jumped considerably since mid-March, when 700 veterans were signed up.
“We’ve never had anything like this in Cambria County, at least not to this magnitude, and the numbers of veterans coming is unbelievable,” Wojnaroski said. “We are proud to be able to do this, and this will be one of the greatest things here at the war memorial in terms of veterans.”
The event is a joint effort of the Conemaugh Valley Veterans, of which Wojnaroski is chairman, and state Reps. Gary Haluska, D-Patton, and Tom Yewcic, D-Jackson Township, and state Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont.
U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, will be the featured speaker.
Wojnaroski said each World War II veteran in attendance will receive a citation, a medal and be recognized by name.
In addition, each branch of the military will be honored and its service song played.
CamTran will provide transportation to veterans in need of a ride. Designated pickup sites include the fire halls in Carrolltown and Cresson, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College in Ebensburg and the upper-level lot behind Sears at The Galleria in Richland Township. Shuttles also will run in the downtown Johnstown area.
Medical personnel will be on hand should a problem arise.
If a veteran is unable to make the ceremony, members of the Conemaugh Valley Veterans will deliver his or her medal and citation, Wojnaroski said.
Thirty-seven sponsors have come on board.
Anyone who would like to help may contact the offices of the participating lawmakers or the war memorial at 536-5156.
Local News
Interest in WWII ceremony expands
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
