Group building modern US military history museum in Allegheny Township to hold fundraiser at Mishler Theatre

Organization approaching completion of military museum

The group that is approaching completion of a modern U.S. military history museum in Allegheny Township is planning a fundraiser at the Mishler Theatre next month featuring two actors who played World War II soldiers in the TV miniseries Band of Brothers.

James Madio, who played Frank Perconte, and Mark Lawrence, who played Buddy Dukeman in the Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks-produced miniseries about the campaign in Europe of Easy Company in the 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, will make a presentation at the fundraiser and answer questions about their experience with the show.

The building renovation is finished and display cases are being installed at the Central Pennsylvania American History Museum, located in the former Milanak Family Vision Center on the 6000 block of Sixth Avenue, with a temporary opening slated for Veterans Day, after which additional exhibits will be installed, according to Dave Scott, long time employee of the Young Oakes & Brown accounting firm, who conceived of the museum idea and who is president of its board.

Tickets are $40 for the event, which will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 1.

Tickets are available at the Mishler or by calling the box office at 814-944-9434.

"It's important to continue educating people through both history and cinema," Madio wrote in an email. "Band of Brothers allowed me to be part of that unique combination."

At the fundraiser, Madio will talk about "what it was like portraying a real member of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment," while also giving attendees "some insight into what went on behind the scenes (during the miniseries production) and why the series continues to resonate with people 25 years later," he wrote.

Madio spoke with Perconte prior to the production.

"He was open and understanding of the process and what we were doing," even though the conversation was mostly "about life, family, kids, changes, food and sports," Madio wrote.

It was daunting to portray "a real hero from the Greatest Generation," the actor wrote.

He was never in the military himself.

During the production, he felt a responsibility to Perconte and Perconte's fellow soldiers "not to mess it up," he stated.

It turned out to be "the job of a lifetime," he wrote.

Perconte joked repeatedly about Madio making him famous.

"'No, Frank. You made ME famous,'" Madio would reply.

Institutions like the proposed museum "help keep that history alive," the actor wrote.

The group is hoping for 800 attendees, Scott said.

The museum project is costing about $500,000, according to Scott.

Developer Jeff Long has donated much of the materials and labor for the renovation of the 4,500-square-foot building, Scott said.

Scott met Madio at an event in Washington, D.C., told him about the museum project, and cited his acquaintance with one of the Easy Company soldiers, which helped earn Madio's trust, according to Scott.

Madio secured Lawrence's participation, Scott said.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.