PD News

By Ed Ackerman eackerman@psdispatch.com
Pittston Sunday Dispatch Editor

After accepting a citation from the Senate of Pennsylvania from Kelly Carroll, of the Pittston Memorial Library Board of Trustees, John P. Cosgrove turned to the crowd assembled Thursday night at the library in his honor and quipped, “Do I have to leave this here?”

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John P. Cosgrove, right, a native of Pittston who spent 70 years working in the media in Washington, D.C., presents a check for $50,000 along with his life’s collection of books and memorabilia to Eileen Burns, center, chair of the Board of Trustees of the library, and Atty. Joseph Cosgrove, trustee.

Photo by Bill Tarutis

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Atty. Joseph Saporito, of the Pittston Memorial Library Board of Trustees, presents an award to John P. Cosgrove.

Photos by Bill Tarutis

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As their hearty laughter indicated, the ironic humor in Cosgrove’s remark was not wasted on the group. The reason they were there was that virtually every award Cosgrove has received in his lifetime now belongs to the library. He donated his entire personal library, including some 1000 volumes, dozens of autographed photographs, correspondence, awards and other memorabilia, to the Pittston Library and Thursday added a check for $50,000 to spearhead a fund drive to expand the facility to house his collection.

Thursday’s reception at the library was arranged as a “thank you” to Cosgrove.

Kelly Carroll, wife of State Rep. Michael Carroll, acting on behalf of her husband and State Sen. Raphael Musto presented citations from the State Senate and House.

Charlie Lyons, whose father, the late Frank Lyons, was a friend of Cosgrove, brought greetings from U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, and Atty. Joseph Saporito presented an award from the library.

Congratulatory messages were read from Michael Collins, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States; Admiral Edward K. Walker, Jr. (Ret.), president and CEO of the United States Navy Memorial Foundation; and J. Williard Marriott Jr., son of the late J. Willard Marriott, founder of the Marriott hotel empire. The elder Marriott had worked with Cosgrove, Bob Hope and Billy Graham in establishing Honor America Day in 1970.

Recognition was also given to Georgia Jones, of Washington, D.C., who was instrumental in preparing the Cosgrove collection for shipment and also accompanied Cosgrove on his trip to Pittston. Michael Clark, like Cosgrove a native of Pittston who made his career in the Capital, who served as a liaison between Cosgrove and the library, was also recognized at the ceremony.

A native of Pittston and graduate of Pittston High School, Cosgrove was working as a night shift reporter in the Pittston branch of the Wilkes Barre Record in 1939 when he went job searching in Washington, launching a seven decade career of distinguished service in news, media broadcasting publications, and the presidency of the world’s greatest news organization.

This was followed with a public affairs career that brought recognition for his leadership in patriotic groups and identity as a leading figure in contemporary Irish-American cultural and fundraising activities.

After signing on with the Associated Press in 1940, Cosgrove soon joined the Navy, but his war front efforts came later. With journalism experience, he was detailed to the War Censorship Board, overseeing international correspondence and news reports. Then it was off to the Pacific with combat service aboard a destroyer escort. He was involved in several Pacific-front missions including Tokyo and Okinawa.

In the late 1940s radio had reached its zenith and television was coming. Cosgrove affiliated with Broadcasting magazine.

In 1961 he became the first media-background official to serve as President of the National Press Club. At January inauguration ceremonies, Chief Justice Earl Warren administered the oath. The official witness was President John F. Kennedy, himself sworn in a few days earlier.

Cosgrove’s tenure was marked by unprecedented appearances by world leaders.

Cosgrove’s distinguished public service career has involved national leadership in numerous patriotic, educational and cultural groups. Working with his friend, hotel pioneer J. Willard Marriott, he helped create Honor American Day to expand appreciation and understanding of Independence Day. Participation of national media and entertainment figures for 17 years drew huge crowds to the Washington Monument.

The group’s emerging influence led to a law signed by President Gerald Ford, promoting the display of the American flag from Flag Day in June to the Fourth of July.

In 1988 Mr. Cosgrove helped organize the founding and construction of the Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. He has served on the board of trustees for more than 20 years, and received citations for his leadership. He was an honored guest at this year’s Memorial Day program which featured Ernest Borgnine as guest speaker.

The promotion of Irish cultural affairs in the United Sates has been a concentration of Cosgrove for many years. He has served on several national committees and as a frequent advisor to Ireland ambassadors on development projects. He has been active in the American Ireland Fund since he helped establish the group 25 years ago.

In his tribute to Mr. Cosgrove, Ambassador Collins wrote, “You have been a valued and trusted friend of the Embassy of Ireland … I commend this further example of your commitment in the best tradition of your Irish heritage, to the community and to education.”