Korean War Veterans Honored, Memorial Unveiled
LOCK HAVEN – Several hundred people showed their support Saturday morning for local veterans of the Korean War. The ceremony at Lock Haven’s Veteran’s Park along Water Street recognized all who served and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, as a memorial dedicated to the 20 Clinton Countians who were killed or declared missing in action during the Korean War, was unveiled.
The crowd sat and stood in respectful silence as Joby Topper, Air Force Veteran, local historian and director of library and information services at Lock Haven University, read the roll call of the 20 local men who were killed or declared missing during the Korean War. They included Private First Class Donald Raymond Abel of Westport; Private Landis L. Button of North Bend; Corporal Boyd W. Cassidy, North Bend; Second Lieutenant Edward Merle Crays, Lock Haven; Sergeant Donald Arthur Edwards, Avis; Sergeant Ellery A. Fenstamaker, Jr., Crawford Township/Rauchtown; Private William A. Hager, Jr., Lock Haven; Corporal Raymond Earl Heaton, Beech Creek; Private First Class George David Heichel and Private First Class Homer A. Heichel, Dunnstown; Private First Class Milford George Lowe, South Avis; Private First Class Thomas Francis Mazzulla, Renovo; Private First Class William Reuben McGill, Lock Haven; Private First Class Gene Fulmer Riggle and Private First Class Karl Lee Riggle of Hyner; Sergeant First Class John Edward Smith, Lock Haven; Corporal Paul E. Snavely, Jr., Avis; Private First Class William Franklin Traxler, Castanea/Salona; Corporal John Wilson Wadsworth, Farrandsville; and Private Donald L. Welsh, Lock Haven.
Topper offered background on a few of the local soldiers who did not make it home, mentioning William McGill, who was killed in action at the age of 19, but whose parents would not receive confirmation of his death until four years later. And William Traxler, who enlisted at age 17 and as part of the Army’s Manchu Regiment was involved in Operation Ripper. Traxler was killed at age 19 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. And Raymond Heaton and Gene Riggle, two of only three Clinton County men known to have earned a Silver Star medal, the United States’ third highest award for combat valor, during the Korean War.
“I ask you to choose to remember those who fought in what has come to be remembered as ‘The Forgotten War,’” said Topper. “Choose to remember the ordeals and terrors they faced, and remember the 20 men who answered the call of duty and made the supreme sacrifice. They are gone, but not forgotten.”
Korean War veterans U.S. Army First Sergeant Paul Bennett of Mill Hall and Marine Corps Sergeant Lawrence Truax of Lock Haven unveiled the Korean War KIA/MIA memorial, which lists the 20 men. It reads, “Clinton County honors its citizens who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. You will always remain our heroes.”
The Clinton County Veterans Affairs Office organized the ceremony. Veterans Affairs Director Bill Bechdel, along with Brooklynn Bechdel and Sofia Dressler, who sang the National Anthem, and volunteers from Team Red White & Blue, passed out special Challenge Coins to all Korean War veterans in attendance. Bechdel also thanked the Veterans Affairs team of Veterans Service Officer Jennifer Hagaman for her support in organizing the ceremony, and intern Brandon Ulrich, who served as master of ceremonies.
Clinton County Commissioner chairman Pete Smeltz, who offered the program’s invocation and benediction, added, “On behalf of the citizens of Clinton County, we thank those who fought in the Korean War, and all of our veterans. We can’t tell you how grateful we are for the service given.”
A large contingent from the Korean War Veterans of Lycoming County Honor Guard was on hand to present colors. Marine Corps veteran James Franklin, Jr., played taps, and Air Force veteran John MacMillen played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes to conclude the ceremony.
A number of area veterans organizations supported the ceremony, including La Society des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux Voiture Local No. 903 in Mill Hall; Martin-May American Legion Post 284 in Avis; American Legion Remembrance Post 442 in Lock Haven; Bittner-Bechdel American Legion Post 623 in Beech Creek; Bland J. Rossman VFW Post 1630 of Lock Haven; and Pifer-Leathers-Lucas VFW Post 8269 of Howard.
The Clinton County Veterans Affairs Office and Lock Haven University invite everyone to the third annual Veterans’ Benefits Expo November 9, from 2 to 6 p.m. at LHU’s Student Rec Center, and to the annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony Saturday, November 11, at 11:00 a.m., at LHU’s Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center. Veterans will also be recognized before and during the LHU football game, which begins at noon at Hubert Jack Stadium.
