Military veterans gather at Lamp Theatre to commemorate the end of WWII
Three words always come to mind for the Rev. Dan Lawrence of Murrysville Alliance Church when he speaks to his flock as well as at military funerals and commemorations.
They are God, family and country.
Those values were present Sunday afternoon in Irwin as the pastor delivered the opening and closing prayers during GI Canteen for a Day outside the Lamp Theatre.
The event commemorated the 80th anniversary of V-J Day, the surrender of Japan that marked the formal end of World War II.
“I think as I’m getting older, we remind our generation of those values,” Lawrence said. “If we have a generation that has taken for granted God, family country, our children will really take it for granted because we have not emphasized that.”
The event featured a flyover by a veteran pilot. The Norwin sixth grade chorus performed the national anthem and sang “Eternal Father” under the direction of Jennifer Herrington.
Norwin High School Air Force ROTC presented the colors under the direction of Master Sgt. Holly Jadlocki.
J. Howard Snyder VFW Post 781 Honor Guard performed a fallen veterans salute and taps.
Several Irwin officials joined veterans and World War II reenactors to cut a ribbon outside the theater at 222 Main St.
Festivities continued inside with several preservation groups displaying uniforms, weapons and other gear used during the war, as well as newspaper clippings from various times during the massive military conflict.
Event participation
Norwin sophomore Jackson McKee, 16, was one of the ROTC cadets who participated in the event. He is the student group’s community service coordinator.
“It really means a lot to us to help out our community, especially veterans,” Jackson said. “It’s really cool to see all the history. Especially the Jeeps. The Jeeps are really cool, especially the one with the large gun on top. I always like learning about American history and all the stuff we have done to help (make) America the way it is. I’m involved because I come from big military family. (ROTC) is not all about the military. … We’re one big family. I like everyone (in our group).”
The Jeep that Jackson was referring to was brought courtesy of the Armbrust Veterans Association. They had military-style Jeeps like the ones used in Korea and Vietnam. One was equipped with an M2 .50 caliber machine gun.
Gerry Williams, Army sergeant first class and association firing squad member, said it was an honor for his group to be part of the commemoration.
“I think it sure is great that we can talk to young people about what’s going on,” Williams said. “How we react with them.”
They were just one of several groups with material on display. Others include the Baltzer Meyer Historical Society, Norwin Historical Society, Military History Preservation Group and the Norwin Public Library.
Reenactors Lukas Smith of New Kensington and Aletheia Brooks of Canton, Ohio, were dressed as a World War II soldier in the 99th infantry division and a military nurse, respectively.
Smith also serves as director of business and development for the Military History Preservation Group. The pair took photos with multiple attendees.
“I’m happy to be here,” Brooks said. “It’s very special and important to do this to honor the veterans and keep the memory alive.”
Brooks said her grandfather, Louis Brooks, served in the Army during World War II.
Video news clips about the war were shown inside the theater.
Organizations such as the Westmoreland County Department of Veterans Affairs, American Red Cross for Veterans, state Department of Military and Veteran Affairs South Veterans’ Center and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Erie Mobile Vet Center had informational booths to help connect people to resources.
Event preparation
A year in the making, the commemoration was a passion project for organizer Tom Steiner, a Vietnam War-era Navy veteran and 1966 Norwin grad.
He got the idea during the last year’s observance of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion at Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. Steiner said his father, Thomas H. Steiner (Navy), and father-in-law, John Poppick (Army Air Corp), had served in the Pacific Theater during the war. He thought it would be good to have an event to commemorate the surrender of Japan, which occurred Sept. 2, 1945.
Surrender documents were signed that day aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
“I think it worked out very very well,” Steiner said. “Thinking of them and thinking of the end of World War II gave me the incentive to try to do something to commemorate the 80th anniversary. I wanted to do more than that.”
All the aforementioned groups were added to provide different purposes: to honor and remember veterans, provide services to former soldiers, educate the youth and provide entertainment for a good cause.
A fundraising tribute concert took place Sunday evening at the Lamp Theatre called “My Country, My Home,” featuring Gary Pratt, Kim Szallar and the Pratt-Szallar Band.
Proceeds will benefit Operation Vets Now, the American Legion Post 359 of Irwin and J. Howard Snyder Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 381 of North Huntingdon.
“I’ve nursed this thing for a year,” Steiner said about having something for everyone. “I just kept incorporating more things. I still wanted it simple like the opening ceremony (was) very simple. I didn’t want it to drag on to different speeches. I wanted it simple, and it was, but meaningful.”
Steiner met with the sixth graders about a week ahead of the event to talk about the significance of the war and how their part in the event will help a lot of people. He thanked all the groups that participated.
“It was something that was very easy to get people to be a part of,” Steiner said. “Once they caught the idea of what I was trying to do, they were on board. People were very supportive.”
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.
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