Chambersburg, PA: Grove Family Library will celebrate May as “Salute to the Military”. The library is looking for those who have served, or are currently serving, and would be willing to share some of their experiences. The library also is planning an Honor/Memorial Wall which will feature copies of photos of service men and women in uniform (currently serving or have served) from all time periods of military service.
Grove Family Library has scheduled many programs throughout the month for the community to recognize our military, assist our military, and educate the community regarding the history of those who serve(d) (past and present) in the military.
These programs include:
America’s Vet Dogs – On Thursday, May 4th, guest speaker, retired Major General Karol Kennedy will discuss the VetDogs program and how it supports service members who have been wounded. The program will be held from 12:30 – 1:30 PM. This program is free and open to the public.
Storytime With A Soldier – On Friday, May 5th, Katelyn Pitts will share with us during this special story hour. Katelyn will be reading a story about a military family. We will also have a make-and-take craft. This program which will run from 10:00 – 11:00 AM is open to children ages 5 and under and their parents or caregivers. Katelyn is a Staff Sergeant in the Pennsylvania National Guard Reserves.
Singing H
istorian, Roy Justice – Roy Justice will join us on Monday, May 8th from 6:30 – 7:30 PM. Roy’s program “Women in the Military” will combine music of the time period with the historical landscape within which the music was a part.
Hacksaw Ridge – Our second Wednesday afternoon movie for the month of May will be Hacksaw Ridge. The true story of Pfc. Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield), who won the Congressional Medal of Honor despite refusing to bear arms during WWII on religious grounds. Doss was drafted and ostracized by fellow soldiers for his pacifist stance but went on to earn respect and adoration for his bravery, selflessness and compassion after he risked his life — without firing a shot — to save 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa. The movie is rated R for intense prolonged realistically graphic sequences of war violence. Under 17 must be accompanied by a parent.
Building of Camp Ritchie – This presentation by Becky Dietrich begins at 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 11th. Becky was post historian at Fort Ritchie (as a volunteer) for two years when her husband (Col. Dan H. Dietrich) was stationed there from 1970-72. Thru her research, she was able to develop a historical program on the building of Camp Ritchie in 1926.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day – In 1984, President Ronald Reagan recognized the importance of spousal commitment to the readiness and well-being of military members. Military Spouse Appreciation Day is the Friday before Mother’s Day of each year. Military spouses are invited to stop by Grove Family Library on Friday, May 12th so that we can say thank you.
Operation Write A Letter – Grove Family Library is sponsoring a letter writing campaign to our military. Please stop in at the library between May 15th and May 20th. We will have all the supplies that you need to write a letter to a military member serving overseas. We will forward these letters the week of May 22nd to a command in South Korea.
Pennsylvania Mobile Veterans’ Outreach Van – The Pennsylvania Mobile Veterans’ Outreach Van will be at Grove Family Library on Tuesday, May 16th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The van will be available to assist veterans with obtaining information and initiating compensation claim paperwork. Accredited veterans service officers will provide information and assistance to veterans and family members who may be eligible for benefits through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Such benefits might include service connected disability compensation, improved pensions, death pensions, VA health care benefits, burial benefits, education benefits, vocational rehabilitation and much more.
Wall of Fallen Heroes – The Wall of Fallen Heroes will be at Grove Family Library on Thursday, May 18th from 12:00 Noon – 4:00 PM and on Wednesday, May 31st from 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon. Tim Wright, a 33 year Army Vietnam veteran has made it his personal mission to ensure this new generation of fallen soldiers is honored and remembered. This wall contains the names of those soldiers from the mid-Atlantic states who died
in Iraq or Afghanistan. In addition to the wall, Wright displays notebooks with photos and biographical information about the fallen soldiers.
The Voice in the Mountains (Author Visit & Book Signing) – Everyone is invited to this special author visit and book signing by Peggy (Bradnick) Jackson. For the first time, Peggy Ann, tells her own story in her own words. This program is scheduled for Monday May 22nd beginning at6 2:00 PM. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at this event. As a part of this special program, Grove Family Library extends a special invitation to any of the National Guard Troops that assisted with the search for kidnapped Peggy Ann in 1966.
The Present Meets the Past – On Wednesday, May 24th beginning at 2:00 PM, Grove Family Library will host this multi-generational program with Lydia Story and Dave Demichei. Lydia is a ninth grade student at Shalom Christian Academy who will present her research on Women of World War II. Also speaking during this program is ninety-three year old Dave Deme4chei who will discuss his service in World War II.
Cup of Joe – Capping of the month-long Salute to the Military will be our Cup of Joe program on Wednesday, May 31st. This program beginning at 10:00 AM gives voice to those who have served or are serving in the military. This program provides an excellent opportunity to see and hear what are service men and women have been doing. Any veteran or current military service man or woman is invited to come and share their story.
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The event was spearheaded by Karen Sourbier.
For more information or to participate, please contact Karen Sourbier at ksourbier@fclspa.org or Joan Peiffer at jpeiffer@fclspa.org or call 717-264-9663.