Latrobe Area Historical Society will present the program “Honoring Our Veterans” on Friday and Saturday, setting a patriotic tone in advance of next week’s celebration of Veterans Day.
The slide presentation includes images and information about local residents’ military service, starting from the French and Indian War, well before Latrobe existed, and ending with the War on Terror.
Whether drawn from the society’s archives or related more recently by area residents who have shared tales about a loved one’s time in the military, “Anybody would have to be moved by the stories that these people told,” said Mary Lou Townsend, president of the historical society.
From World War II, the society learned of a man who “spent the entire war in a Japanese prison camp” as well as others who “had to use their wits and endurance to escape from behind German lines,” Townsend said.
As she worked on preparing the presentation, she said, “Another thing that impressed me was the number of local families with multiple generations who served in wars. There were some veterans who served in multiple wars.
“The admiration that I have for the sacrifices these people made is just beyond words.”
The society’s collection includes a 1901 photo of a Unity man who served in the Mexican-American war and years later returned to Mexico to meet with one of his former foes.
Townsend said the society made an effort in the program to recognize all local veterans, including men and women, whether or not they served in a war.
“Those who served in the National Guard never knew if they were going to be called up,” she noted.
The program will take place in the historical society’s headquarters and museum at 416 Weldon St., Latrobe. The museum has a display of military artifacts, including a uniform from World War I and another from World War II, each worn by a veteran who is featured in the presentation.
The slide show will conclude this year’s series of weekend matinee programs at the society.
Doors open at 9 a.m. each day, and the program begins at 9:30 a.m. Masks are required for entry into the museum.
Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. Refreshments will be served.
On-street parking is available both days. On Saturday, visitors also may park in the lot of Kelly, Sparber & White, on the corner of Weldon and Alexandria streets.
Visit latrobehistory.org for more information about the society, its museum and programs.