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A number of organizations across the region are hosting Veterans Day parades and programs next week.
At 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, the Cambria County Veterans Services Office will host a special Veterans Day and Marine Corps Birthday commemoration at the Cambria County Courthouse Rotunda, Ebensburg.
The event will honor the brave men and women who have served our country and recognize the birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
Following the ceremony, at 11:15 a.m., the public is invited to stay for coffee, cake and fellowship at the Cambria County Veterans Services Office.
Veterans, their families and members of the community are urged to attend the event to honor our veterans and recognize their service and sacrifices.
For additional information, contact the Cambria County Veterans Services Office at 814-472-1590.
Legacy project announced
Also on Tuesday, at 11 a.m., at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center, 301 Napoleon St., Johnstown, a program will commemorate the Sergeant Michael Strank Legacy Project, remember Strank's 107th birthday and celebrate the 251st birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps.
The project was established to perpetuate Strank's memory, service, sacrifice and leadership while honoring all veterans who served our country. Beginning in 2027, the project will provide educational programs in classrooms and establish a scholarship to inspire future generations to learn from those who answered the call.
Program participants include Ambassador Andrej Droba, ambassador of the Slovak Republic of the United States of America; Marine Corps League Detachment 287 Johnstown; John Polacek, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and master of ceremonies; Robert Eyer, founder and advisory board member of the Sergeant Michael Strank Legacy Project; and Kathy Strank Kasper, niece of Michael Strank.
The event is free and open to the public. RSVP by Nov. 9 to https://form.jotform.com/263004214235039.
Strank, who grew up near Johnstown, was one of the six men who raised the flag on top of Mount Suribachi during the World War II battle of Iwo Jima. The moment was made famous by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosethal. Strank was born Nov. 10, 1919, in Jarabina, Czechoslovakia, and immigrated to America at age two.
On March 1, 1945, Strank was killed in action on Iwo Jima. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His honors include the Bronze Star Medal with "V", Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon.
Altoona
The Veterans Day Parade hosted by the Blair County War Veterans Council will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The parade starts at Eighth Avenue and 17th Street and will move to 12th Avenue to 12th Street to 11th Avenue and 16th Street.
A ceremony will follow at the Robert E. Laws Veterans Mall, 11th Avenue and 14th Street.
To enter your organization in the parade or for more information, contact Michael McDonough at micmac42649@aol.com.
Carrolltown
The American Legion Post 506, Carrolltown, will hold Veterans Day services Wednesday, Nov. 11, according to the following schedule:
– Carrolltown Legion Monument: 10 a.m.
– Bakerton Memorial: 10:15 a.m.
– St. Benedict Memorial: 10:30 a.m.
– Spangler Wall: 10:45 a.m.
– Barnesboro Memorial: 11 a.m.
– Garmantown Memorial: 11:15 a.m.
– Emeigh Memorial: 11:30 a.m.
Schellsburg
The Bedford County Veterans Day ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Schellsburg VFW Post 440. A luncheon will be provided after the ceremony.
Johnstown
The Conemaugh Valley Veterans will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of its founding and hosting the area's annual Veterans Day parade and ceremony at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Johnstown.
The organization traces back to 1996 after a local Army veteran of World War II named Harry Plows took action in the absence of a Veterans Day parade in Johnstown.
Disheartened that Johnstown no longer had a Veterans Day Parade, Plows donned his old uniform and began to march up Main Street every Nov. 11. He did so each Veterans Day for three years until he was spotted by then-state Rep. Ed Wojnaroski, an Army veteran himself, who told Plows he'd never march alone again. The Conemaugh Valley Veterans were formed, and they've hosted Johnstown's annual Veterans Day parade ever since.
The group's regular parade lineup of bands, military vehicles/equipment and local community/veterans' groups will once again delight paradegoers.
The parade will begin at the intersection of Main and Union Street and end at Clinton Street. At the completion of the parade route, a brief ceremony will be held in Central Park. This year's guest speaker, Army Lt. Col. Craig Minnick (ret.), will comment on America's 250th anniversary and the men and women who have served our Nation, as well as the legacy of Conemaugh Valley Veterans.
The American Legion Post 294 serves as the unofficial headquarters for the parade. Participants have long gathered there where the post has offered up a light meal for veterans and their families after the event.
To submit information about your organization's Veterans Day events, to be published in Tuesday's Altoona Mirror, email news@altoonamirror.com or call 814-946-7451.