On July 7, I was privileged to attend the dedication of a “Wall of Honor” at Yardley Commons dedicated to those who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Fellow Committeeman Harry Platt was also part of the ceremony.
Yardley Commons offers independent senior living and is home to many war heroes. We had an opportunity to hear stories of bravery and selflessness from those who fought to protect the freedom that we should never take for granted.
The “Wall of Honor” will be a lasting tribute to those brave men and women who stood on the “Wall of Freedom” and defended it with their lives.
The wall includes the names of Ed Barniskis who enlisted in 1940. After being captured and held as a POW for over three years, he was awarded the Bronze Star. Dominic
Petrone was a fighter pilot in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam and received the Bronze Star. Bob McBride won the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Other Purple Heart winners included Dan Bell and Henry Hersh, who saved 15 men by jumping on a hand grenade.
Other honorees included Bettey White, Jane Harris, Fran Cieslik, Anthony Rossin, Donald Cooley, Norman De Long, George Mack, Ted Czaplicki, Tom Eissler, Joseph Oustatcher, Jane Adams Harris, Irving Ocher, James Burns, Elizabeth Yonker White, William J. Alfonsin, Albert Sanflippo, Joseph Bogis, Clyde Wilbur, Ted Tiedeken, John J. Eisennagel, Wilbur Geier and Joseph Kraltic.
These brave men and women fought for our grandparents, parents, us, our children, our grandchildren and all generations to come. We will never forget them.
Our “Summer Twilight Series” continues with back-to-back concerts. On Wednesday, July 27, a group of local talented artists will perform some new musical sounds. “Cocktail Party Phenomena” will put on a show that includes a full horn section and a mini-choir of incredibly talented vocalists. The next night, Thursday, July 28 (rain date July 29), Voorhees welcomes back “Strawberry Fields: A Tribute to the Beatles.” Last year, this group drew the biggest crowd in Summer Series history. Both shows are free and begin at 7:30 p.m. at Connolly Park.
