Local Dignitaries form with the 2023 Armstrong County Veteran Award Recipients (Front L-R: Terry Johns (USN) Veteran of the Year; Kathy Rashlich, Armstrong County Veteran Affairs Director; Danny Bish (USN), Lifetime Achievement Award; Back L-R: Harold “Frenchie” French, Armstrong County American Legion Commander/Post 325 American Legion Commander; Darlene Smail, Post 828 American Legion Commander; Anthony Shea (Major - USAF - Ret); John Strate, Armstrong County Commissioners; and Carl Swigart VFW 4843 Post Commander.
Members of the Armstrong County Honor Guard form with the 2023 Award Recipients Danny Bish (Former Honor Guard) and Terry Johns (Front L-R: Brad Smail, Albert “Sonny” Bleakney, Danny Bish, Terry Johns, Jason Kelsey, Elmer Lightner; Back L-R: Gary Wolfe, Tom Preager, George Hooks, Harold “Frenchie” French).
Members of veterans organizations from across Armstrong County converged on the Cowansville Roy Frick Booher American Legion Post 325on Sunday, January 28th to recognize two of its own Armstrong County veteran awardees for 2023. The group also recognized a Dayton community member for her first place essay submission. Armstrong County American Legion Commander/Cowansville American Legion Post 828 Commander Harold “Frenchie” French (USN) served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event; the event started with Mr. French leading the group in the Pledge of allegiance followed by a prayer from the Post Chaplain. Also In attendance at the event were County Commissioners John Strate and Anthony Shea, Armstrong County Veteran Affairs Director, Kathy Rashlich, Veteran of Foreign War Post 4843 Ford City Commander Carl Swigart, American Legion Post 995 Dayton Commander Elmer Lightner, and American Legion Post 828 Worthington Commander Darlene Smail.
Elmer Lightner, Dayton American Legion Post 995 first recognized the 2023-2024 Post 995 first place Essay Contest winner, Kathryn Cribbs. The theme for this year’s essay was “Why the First Amendment is important for America”. Ms. Cribbs read her essay to the audience; she related the benefits of how free speech, freedom of religion, right to petition the government and free press has made the United States of America truly exceptional. Ms. Cribbs essay submission has now progressed up to the District level of competition.
Next, County Commander French introduced the Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. This award is given to those who did good works for both veteran and community service organizations prior to the formal awards process. The 2024 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award was World War II veteran Danny Bish. At 98 years young, Mr. Bish served in the U.S. Navy on a transport ship in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; his mission in the Navy was to move both war supplies and people to and from the theater of operations. After the war, Mr. Bish served many years on the Armstrong County Honor Guard. Joining in on this, and the next award presentation was Armstrong County Veteran Affairs Director, Kathy Rashlich.
County Commander French then introduced the Armstrong County Veteran of the Year Award recipient, Terry Johns. Mr. Johns started his military career enlisting in the Navy in 1971. Mr. Johns served on the USS Forrestal Aircraft Carrier while conducting operations in the Mediterranean. After his time in the Navy, Mr. Johns served many years as an East Franklin Township volunteer fireman. At Post 325, Mr. Johns served various roles at the post to include Chaplain and First Vice Commander. In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Johns said of this award “it is one of the highest honors of my life”.
After the formal ceremony, County Commander French expressed his deepest thanks to all who made the event a success. All were treated to a meal prepared by the Post 325 Auxiliary.