SPUMC veterans

Here are some veterans from SPUMC and some from Elizabethtown.

But first, some band and runner photos.

Veterans Day is celebrated every year on November 11, to honor those who served in the U.S. military. Before 1954 it was called "Armistice Day" (end of World War I) or "Remembrance Day" or "Poppy Day". There is no apostrophe as it is a day for honoring all veterans by everyone.

Why do we honor veterans?
Can we lose the freedoms (political, religious, etc.) that the veterans fought for?
Has the military ever fought for causes that were not to protect our freedoms?

The date was chosen to be that of the end of World War I. On the eleventh month, on the eleventh day, on the eleventh hour, on the eleventh minute.

The Veterans Memorial in Elizabethtown is dedicated to veterans from Elizabethtown, PA, who died in the service of their country.

Book: All gave some. Phil Clark.

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November 11: Veterans Day
World War I	Stanley M. Disney	Claude V. Herr
George S. Alwine	George J. Ebersole	Robert D. Reem*
Abram B. Brandt	John H. Espenshade	Gilbert F. Shirk
Guy Culp	John A. Felker	Harold J. Yurkovic
Walter F. Eshelman	Carl H. Hahn	Vietnam
Abraham W. Heisey	Henry S. Musser	John R. Booth
Hurley E. Herring	Carl F. Ober	Harold L. Eckert Jr.
Russell D. Smith	Frank Peoples Jr.	William D. Port*
Amy Treichler	Harry R. Snyder	Frederick J. Schwanger
World War II	Harold E. Witmer	Lebanon
Eugene H. Acker	Korea	Maurice E. Hukill
Charles Allen	J. Warren Bishop
Fred W. Barley	William B. Bonawitz	(*Medal of Honor)

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Veterans Grove in Elizabethtown Masonic Village, near the Amtrak Station.

Built in 1920 to resemble a Doric Temple.
Originally 268 oak trees planted in rows around the memorial.
In honor of PA Masons who died serving the country in World War I.
Eternal Flame added in 2014 to all military and veterans.
Inscribed with: "All Gave Some – Some Gave All".

World War II in 1939 started 21 years after World War I ended in 1918.

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In the Masonic Homes (2023), across from Veterans Grove, were planted some 7,000 flags to honor veterans who lost their lives in the service since 9/11.

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$Name: Ed Boll$

Ed Boll (1924-2014) was a member of Saint Paul's for 80 years.

Fought in the Battle of the Bulge, recipient of two Purple Hearts.
Played semi-pro baseball, amateur photographer.
Elizabethtown High School and College.
39 years at Armstrong Industries as Chief Chemist.
Wife of 65 years, Minerva (Hess) Boll.
Two sons and daughter, active in youth fellowship.
Ran 9th to 12th grade Sunday School

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Operation Tidal Wave: August 1, 1943, to destroy petroleum-based fuel to Axis powers. B-52 bombers. 7 hours to target, 27 minutes over Ploesti, near Bucharest in Romania, 7 hours back.

Treichler, William E. T/SGT - … on 23rd mission, flying at 300 ft. through machine gun fire, explosions, smoke, Treichler said, I heard Sulflow [pilot] say on interphone, Can't see anything. Shaw [bombardier] called steady, gave corrections, then Bombs away. Pilots took us down on deck. I saw Politte [gunner] hit by machine gun fire, double up. Flames flew up at me from bomb bay tanks. Flak hitting up front pitched us violently. Then we exploded. I woke up couple days later in a hospital. Treichler was the sole survivor. …

He remained a POW in Romania until near the end of the war.

More: World War 2 talk

William Treichler was a bomber pilot of a B-52 on the low-level bombing of the Ploesti. from Libya, in 1943. Seven hours flight time one way, 27 minutes over the target. His plane was shot down. He somehow survived as a Romanian POW until near the end of the war.

William Treichler (1912-2011) later moved to Elizabethtown and was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. His son Ronald ran the water treatment plant in Elizabethtown for many years.

More: World War 2 talk

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, Harry Reed - 2 tours in Vietnam , 1970?

Veteran Harry Reed (1948-2006) served two tours in Vietnam. Long-time member of St. Paul's. Harry was president of the newly merged (1998) Wesley & Friendship classes for 7 years.

Born in Liverpool, OH
Air traffic controller at Harrisburg International Airport
Long time member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church
Wesley Friendship Sunday School class president
Usher, volunteer, trustee
Lions Club

[Story of Marietta air students getting tour of Harrisburg, 9/11 overview right after the event]

Jay R. Greider, Jr. (1923-2015).

Bayonet wound before D-Day.
Supply chain at start of Korean War.
Easter Egg hunt at park (brown egg, plastic egg, dotted egg)
Long-time member of St. Paul's.

More: SPUM: Jay Greider

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Jay Greider, veteran and Penn State fan and long time St. Paul's member (and family), including 50 year member Ken Greider, visited 50 year member Robin Snyder, a cadet at West Point at the time, to see West Point play Penn State in football on October 5, 1974.

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Lois (Goodling) Conley. March 19, 1933 to February 14, 2024. Long time St. Paul's member.

[Peter's wife, J. Vernon McGee commentaries]

What is the vision statement of a Burger King church?

Have it your way.

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Benjamin Franklin Spickler (July 6, 1941 - February 26, 2022, 80 years old). Long-time St. Paul's member.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin S. Spickler and Mary Ann (Hertzler) Wanamaker; brother, Thomas Spickler.

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Melvin Pete Snyder (1938-2021) attended SPUM for many years and did many things in the community.

Pete was a U.S. Navy veteran from 1958-1962, serving as an Electronics Technician on the guided missile cruiser, USS Galveston.

He was a member of Abraham C. Treichler Lodge #682, Elizabethtown, Harrisburg Consistory, Zembo Shrine and National Sojourners.

One son, John, married Denise Rice and were missionaries to Russia for many years. He is currently a pastor out west.

More: SPUM: John Snyder as missionary and pastor

Melvin Pete Snyder (1938-2021) attended SPUM for many years and did many things in the community. Pete was a U.S. Navy veteran from 1958-1962, serving as an Electronics Technician on the guided missile cruiser, USS Galveston.

One son, John, married Denise Rice and were missionaries to Russia for many years. He is currently a pastor out west. The banner is located next to the Giant Food Store parking lot at about where the gas pumps are located. In the summer, trees tend to block the view from the Giant parking lot.

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Banner of long-time St. Paul's member Ken Fanus, Navy veteran.

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Wayne Blecher, Sr. (engineers, word working, tent poles for inspection).

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Marine veteran Tom Hoffman's banner is outside the Post Office, not inside the Post Office.

A traditional United States Marine Corps (founded November 10, 1775) motto is, "The few, the proud, the Marines". The Latin word "semper" ≈ "always" as in "semper fidelis" as "always faithful" as in the motto of the United States Marines.

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Al - late in Korean war, infantry, transportation and supply work.
Lee - Air Force, TV and radio.
Kent - transportation.

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Thank a veteran for what they have done.

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