Greene County Veterans Day Parade
The Veterans Day Parade returns uptown in front of the courthouse Saturday, November 5 at 11am. The preceremony will start at approximately 10am to announce the patriotic yard decorating contest winner and the special Grand Marshal presentation. Leading up to the parade, First Federal Savings & Loan will have a patriotic window display honoring the committee and local veterans from November 1-4.
The parade will feature the Greene County Honor Guard, live musical performances, bands, mascots, a dance performance of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company C” by In Motion, emergency vehicles, a drill team performance from West Virginia’s Camp Dawson Challenge Academy, military vehicles, car and motorcycle clubs – Santa will even drop by in camo! Weather permitting, there will be a flyover.
A horse drawn carriage will be included with representatives from Greene County Gold Star veterans: Richard Kowalewski, Jr. (Crucible, Operation Restore Hope), Gregory Cox (Carmichaels, Operation Iraqi Freedom), and Steven Phillips (Spraggs, Operation Iraqi Freedom). The carriage will be leading the way for the registered 185+ Greene County Gold Star veterans who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
After the parade, there will be a dinner hosted by Waynesburg VFW Post #4793 & Auxiliary.
This year’s Veterans Parade Grand Marshal is Joe Ayersman. Joe served in the United States Army and the Pennsylvania National Guard for almost 36 years. During his time with the military, he also served as part of the Military Police. He earned a rank of SFC E-7. While in the Guard, he served in the PANCO Academy as an instructor and evaluator for over 20 years. As a member of the Guard, he was able to bring Sgt. Harrison Bell to Waynesburg Central High School to speak about his experience in the Vietnam War. “I was proud to have served in the Waynesburg National Guard Unit for close to 36 years with so many from Greene County and surrounding counties. The unit was one of the best in PA.” He adds, “The military offers many opportunities today for our young people. Seek them out.”
The committee is remembering and honoring Rick Black and Terry Hoyle II, both of whom have recently passed. “They had dreams for our veterans parade. We’re trying to have their dreams and service dedication carried out by our committee and to continue their dedicated efforts,” shares Greene County Veterans Parade Committee Secretary Petrina Supler.
The parade would not be possible without the dedication of the Greene County Veterans Parade Committee. The committee sincerely appreciates the overwhelming community support and sponsorship. Members include: Angela Baker (veteran, committee chair, AL Post #954 Adjutant – Greene County Veterans Council; Lori Paletta-Davis (Daughter/Widow of veteran & Co- Chair); Petrina Supler (veteran, Secretary VFW Military Order of the Cooties Post #4793, Greene County Veterans Council); Lynn Bussey (sister of veteran/Financial advisor, & Aux AL post #992); Bruce Black (veteran/Veterans Council President); John Michniak (veteran/Veterans Council VP); Linda Hagyari (veteran, Commander AL Post #954 Veterans Council Treasurer); Tim Ackley; Miranda Chapman (granddaughter/spouse of veteran); Joe Krampy (veteran); Melody Longstreth (granddaughter of veteran, committee advisor, Chamber of Commerce chair); Victoria Santucci (Widow of veteran); Victoria Snyder (Granddaughter of veteran); Paul Walker (veteran); Marke Walawander (veteran, Greene County Veterans Day Parade Master of Ceremony); Renee Jones (spouse/mother of veteran, VFW Post 4793 Auxiliary Sr-Vice); and Alisa Woods (veteran/Co-MC).
“There have been so many supporters… we’ve have had such an outpouring of support. It’s just been overwhelming,” says Angela Baker, committee chair. “The whole committee wants to extend a special thanks to the community for their support.”
The committee would like to also extend special thanks to Melody Longstreth; the Greene County Veterans Council, especially President Bruce Black, Vice President John Michniak, and Treasurer Linda Hagyari; Waynesburg University; First Federal Savings & Loan; BeeGraphix; WANB; R&D Watters Septic Service; Waynesburg Giant Eagle; Pam Snyder and staff; Greene County Commissioners; Waynesburg Rotary Club; SOAR Aviation; and GreeneScene Community Magazine.
If you cannot attend the parade, a broadcast of the parade will be available later on their website, filmed by Waynesburg University. Visit greenevetsunite.us or email greenevetsunite@hotmail.com FMI.
Greene’s Tribute to Heroes
By Zack Zeigler
Every day, heroes in our community risk their lives to serve and protect the people of Greene County. From October 12 through October 16, Greene County took the time to salute these men and women with the Tribute to Heroes event. Held at the Greene County Fairgrounds, two traveling exhibits came to Waynesburg, including the Vietnam Memorial Wall and the Tunnels to Tower Tribute.
It was a six-month process to get the exhibits to the county and took a lot of hard work behind the scenes. Joanne Marshall from Greene County Tourism spearheaded the effort and many others from around the county came together to make the event possible.
“We had meetings once a month for about the past six months planning everything out,” says Director of Greene County Emergency Services and Captain of the Waynesburg/Franklin Township Fire Company Richard Policz. “Then, we had an escort bring the displays into the fairgrounds and it was great to see the support from the community helping to set things up and offer support whenever we needed.”
The Tribute to Heroes event began in 2019 when Rick Black spearheaded the effort to honor both the veterans and the first responders of the county. For two years he worked to bring both the Vietnam Memorial Wall and the Tunnels to Tower exhibit to Greene County. As planning began for this year’s event, Black was unfortunately diagnosed with COVID-19 before passing away. It was a big loss for those who knew and loved Rick Black, but they also knew that they would have to carry on the legacy he left behind. His daughter Stacey Marshall and his son-in-law Jeff Marshall did just that by forming a group that went out to military folks around the area and continued preparations for the event. In talking with those local veterans, they chose to include first responders, and that is when they decided to bring both the Vietnam Memorial Wall and the Tunnels to Towers exhibit.
For Policz and the rest of the Tribute to Heroes team it was important to carry on Black’s legacy not only to honor him but honor the veterans and first responders in the area.
“For myself it was very important to carry on [Black’s] legacy because I have been involved with emergency services for 12 years and got the chance to work with Rick at different veterans’ activities,” says Policz. “He is a very good friend of our office and a very personal friend, and he was heavily involved in bringing both the 911 Tunnels for Tower exhibit and the Vietnam Memorial Wall.”
During the exhibit, the community visited the Greene County Fairgrounds and toured both exhibits. There were also booths from the different emergency services department showing the community how these men and women serve and protect the community. The big event was on October 15 when Community Day was hosted from 3-7pm. There was a big outpouring of community support.
“My takeaway here is all the emergency services we have in the county. Veterans are just as important but the young adults who lead our county and volunteer, we need to support that,” said Policz. “My big thing is getting involved in that and getting the children and adults wanting to help the community.”
Tribute to Heroes welcomed hundreds of people from around the area to understand what emergency services and veterans do for the community. We thank all of those who protect and serve Greene County and the surrounding area for their hard work and sacrifice as they help to keep us safe.
What ‘Used to Be Yours’ is Helping Veterans
By Rochelle McCracken
Supporting our military is a part of our American heritage. We’ve all heard the slogan, “all gave some, and some gave all,” but for those that return to make their way through society they often face difficulties. We try to find ways to assist and help them through the many organizations dedicated to helping veterans thrive when they return home.
However, some of these organizations direct a surprisingly low percentage of their profits towards actually helping veterans. When Jennifer Szczyrbak and her husband Joe Prince learned this disappointing fact, they decided to find a way to support for veterans with 100% of profits going directly to veterans and the Area Agency on Aging. When making this decision, they knew they wanted to specifically support the veterans of our local Greene County area.
According to Joe, it was Jennifer’s idea for a thrift store. The idea was born from Jennifer’s relationship with a regular customer at another thrift store who was a veteran. Once the idea took hold it remained firm in their minds. It quickly became a reality when they found a place to rent for the store within five weeks. And Used to be Yours was born. Investing in shelving and displays to get the store running was a labor of love for the couple. Spending their own money to set up shop, Jennifer and Joe wanted to make sure their investment was truly benefiting the veterans they wanted to support. The store celebrated its grand opening in July 2022.
Their profits are supporting Veteran’s Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging groups within Greene County. The oversight of the Greene County Veterans Affair ensures 100% of profits goes to directly supporting the veterans in this area. Since opening they’ve been able to help those most in need within Greene County and were able to supply an entire family, free of charge, with clothing and essentials for back to school. To supply the store with retail items the thrift store takes in donations of clothing, furniture, household items, small appliances, flat screen televisions, toys, and a variety of other essentials. There are a few items they do not accept, such as mattresses, tires, and large appliances. Joe and Jennifer will even provide a pick-up service within certain areas for items people would like to donate but cannot drop off.
If you would like to find out more about the Used to be Yours thrift store, donate, or shop for a few items, stop by their location at 55 Sugar Run Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370. You can also give them a call at (724) 833-9458 and/or check out their Facebook.
Connecting Our Veterans
According to the latest statistics, the 2019 Pennsylvania Veteran Suicide Data shows that the veteran suicide rate in Pennsylvania was significantly higher than the national general population suicide rate. It is on record that in 2019, 270 veterans between the ages of 18-75+ took their life. However, thanks to the efforts of many veterans group that number is on the decline.
“Here in Pennsylvania, we had a total of 240 suicides during the year 2020. It’s one of the lowest numbers we’ve had in the last 10 years,” says Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA) Special Assistant to the Deputy Adjutant General Rick Hamp. And according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the number of suicides among veterans nationwide has dropped almost ten percent from 2018 to 2020 and is at its lowest rate in more than 10 years.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is leading efforts to understand suicide risk factors, develop evidence-based prevention programs and prevent veteran suicide through a public health approach. Together With Veterans (TWV) is overseen by the VA’s rural veterans’ health initiative. Their goal is to provide veterans with leadership, support, and guidance.
In 2018, the suicide rate for veterans was 1.5 times higher than the rate for non-veteran adults. Although that number is reducing, even one is too many. The goal of TWV is to reduce suicide and suicidal behavior among veterans. They plan to bring an end to veteran suicide by providing veterans with resources, education, and support. “We need to help build community awareness surrounding this issue,” said veteran Chris Clark about the program in 2021. “Partnering with rural veterans and their communities to implement community-based suicide prevention is key in supporting those who have given so much to our country.”
“Community partners who are informed and educated about suicide prevention, and veteran/military culture are better equipped to address the needs of veterans,” added Chris. Collaboration and education will strengthen the suicide prevention network for veterans, their families and friends. The TWV strategies are drawn from well-researched models that have been shown to effectively reduce suicide rates. TWV partnerships develop a unique suicide prevention action plan based on community strengths and addressing community needs. These strategies are implemented using a five-phase process to support rural communities in developing a local veteran suicide prevention action plan: team building, community outreach, community research, team training, Community-tailored planning, and the execution of plans and measuring effectiveness.
Six evidence-based suicide prevention strategies are used by TWV to support the local planning efforts: provide suicide prevention training, enhance primary care suicide prevention, promote connectedness and help seeking, improve communication across veteran-serving programs, enhance behavioral health suicide prevention, and promote lethal means safety.
Are You a Veteran in Crisis?
Are you a veteran in crisis or concerned about one? You’re not alone. There are resources to help, even if you aren’t enrolled in VA benefits or health care.
The Veterans Crisis Line is one of the resources available to veterans in crisis. If you are a veteran and in crisis, you can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1. After dialing, you’ll reach a trained Veterans Crisis line responder, trained in crisis intervention and military culture, and dedicated to supporting veterans, service members, and their families. The Veterans Crisis Line is also available by text and through chat. You can also send a text to 838255 or find them online at militarycrisisline.net. Responders are available 24/7.
The Veterans Crisis Line began in 2007 with 14 trained responders. It’s grown in the last fifteen years to 500 responders, available to help through call, text, or online chat. Many of the responders are veterans and familiar with the unique situations that veterans face.
Because they believe that support should be available after your initial contact, responders work to continue your care. These responders can connect veterans in crisis with local suicide prevention coordinators available nationwide in VA centers. These coordinators ensure that veterans are connected to the specific services they need. When you contact the Veterans Crisis Line, you decide how much information to share. If you’d like support from a local VA suicide prevention coordinator, the responder may ask for your name and some personal information to help set up a meeting.
Remember – you are not alone. If you are experiencing difficult thoughts, call 998, then press 1. If you would like support veterans and spread the word about the crisis line, you can visit www.veteranscrisisline.net/find-resources/spread-the-word/ for social media, web, logo, and print materials.