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Peeking into the past

Lacomis awarded Silver Star 41 years ago

With Judy Minsavage

The National Holiday, honoring all veterans was not always known as Veteran’s Day. Originally, it was named after a temporary agreement signed in 1918. What was the agreement and who was involved.

1948 – 61 Years Ago

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A couple of soldiers from Pittston met in Salzburg, Austria, on Sept. 18, 1952. Do you recognize them? On the right is Al Bartoli and on the left is State Sen. Raphael Musto.

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A combined ceremony and monument dedication exercise to those veterans who served in all World Wars was held in front of Pittston City Hall. The Sunday Dispatch dated November 14, 1948, reported a “sparse crowd” gathered to view William Jimmes, Spanish War Veteran, unveil a monument donated by the 10th Ward Service Club, dedicated to all veterans. One veteran commented, “During the war when men were departing, there were large crowds. Now people get a chance to pay tribute to those who served and died and they will not turn out.” World War II ended in 1945, but depending on the front and enemy, ended on different dates.

Staff Sergeant Sam Bianco, of Butler Street, Pittston, returned home after serving three years with the U.S. Army in Weisbaden, Germany. After re-enlisting, Sergeant Bianco was expected to return to Germany.

Sergeant Joseph DeVergilio died serving with the armed forces in Italy. Members of military organizations and family members met his body at the Lehigh Valley Railroad Depot. He was to be buried in a West Pittston cemetery.

In 1948, the borough of Wyoming was described as the Wild West. Residents complained to council members that stray bullets were flying past their homes. One home suffered a damaged screen. Council promised to look into the situation.

Bob Hope, yes the famous comedian, wrote for the Sunday Dispatch. Well, okay, it was a syndicated column, but in the 1940s Hope penned “It Says Here”, a column that offered a humorous side to the news of the day. On the subject of the popular radio give away shows, Hope wrote, “I heard that a lot of American Indians have been going on the shows, they figure if they get on the right show they can get Manhattan Island back.” Hope entertained troops around the globe in USO Tours from 1941 to 1991.

1954 – 55 Years Ago

To honor Veterans Day a patriotic parade arranged by the Fort Pittston Post VFW was touted as the best in years. Members Francis Mesaris, Nick Arcola and Pat Finnerty escorted the Spanish American War Veterans to the morning events. Sergeant Joe Lekaunas chauffeured the 80-year-old vets along the parade route.

It was a big win for the Old Forge Blue Devils, overtaking the Pittston High squad 26-0. Phil Tagliaterra scored two touchdowns and brother Santo Tagliaterra intercepted a long pass to shut down the Pittston team in the fourth quarter. Joe Cesara and Mike DeVergilius also scored touchdowns cinching honors for the unbeaten Devils in the Lackawanna County Conference.

At 27, Joseph J. Dillon of Church Street, Pittston had the distinction of being the youngest local railroad conductor. Dillon was an employee of the Wyoming Division of the Erie Railroad. He had served for fourteen months in the U.S. artillery unit in Japan and Korea.

1968 – 41 Years Ago

The Harding Hose Company hosted Charles McCarthy, a local historian, who after presenting a brief history of the town of Harding, spoke of a monument erected in tribute to the early settlers stand in battles against the English and the Indians. A stone monument was set into place by Keller’s Blacksmith Shop of West Pittston in the early 1900s. Due to neglect of the historically important trail in upper Harding on which the monument stood, the location of the stone is unknown.

Under the new civil service status, Dupont appointed George Legezdh their first full time Chief of Police. Albert Iannuzzo, Michael Sompel, Frank Lasota, Joseph Adams and Joseph Timinski were appointed to assist Chief Legezdh.

U.S. Army Specialist 5 John S. Lacomis, of Avoca was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry he displayed on a mission south of DaNang in the Republic of Vietnam serving as an aidman with Company A. Under heavy enemy fire, he helped treat and evacuate his fellow soldiers. His parents Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Lacomis and family celebrated his homecoming.

The Duryea Lumber Home Center marked its 42nd year in business and opened its newly remodeled facility. Owner Marshall Ries and employees William Fleth, Gerald Miller, Joseph Yucas, Frank Vols and Joan Miller held a ribbon cutting ceremony with city officials attending. The company started in 1915 by brothers E.V. and Will Watkins of Taylor, was sold to the Ries family in 1927.

Question #2

The idea of the American Legion was not born in the United States, What city and country did the idea first originate.

1974 – 35 Years Ago

“Making like a bird” is how Don Gross Jr. described his new hobby, hang gliding. Gross of Harding with the help of George Gross and Don Gross Sr. would launch his glider from Campbell’s Ledge in Coxton and land at the rail yard. Hang gliding was actually pioneered in the late 1800s by German design engineer Otto Lilienthal. He made several successful flights before dying at the age of 48, from a broken back after a fall of 56 feet.

Pvt. 2 Kathleen M. Finn of Pittston completed her basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After further training in Photographic Lab Technician, she would be assigned to Germany.

Jack Kuligowski of Dupont was offering a free Elementary and Advanced Polish language course at Good Shepherd Church in Plymouth.

Lu-Lac Oil Company and its owner James D’Auria, Pittston, were the subject of a story that appeared in a publication distributed by Exxon Oil Company to its 12,000 distributors. Exxon spotlighted Lu-Lac for the company’s growth and success, and excellence in service.

Answer #1

World War I ended with an armistice, an agreement to temporarily cease hostilities, between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in November 1918. Originally, the day to honor veterans was called Armistice Day. This agreement led to the Treaty of Versailles signed in 1919. On June 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing the legal holiday to Veteran’s Day.

Answer #2

Four World War I officers of the American Expeditionary Forces met in Paris, France in January of 1919. There, Lt Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Lt Col. George White, Lt Col. William Donovan and Major Eric Fisher Wood, along with General Black Jack Pershing formulated the basis for the organization known as the American Legion.

On November 11, let’s actively honor our veterans and all of our men in women in military service throughout the world.

Next Week – Facts about the Veterans of Foreign Wars Organizations.