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Eternal flame sits in the middle of the presentation Cambria County War Memorial
Downtown Area, PA-53
Johnstown, Cambria County

"CAMBRIA COUNTY WAR MEMORIAL
Erected by the Citizens of Cambria County in the year 1950 A.D. as a living memorial to the men and women of the county who served in the Armed Forces of The United States of America in time of war. This building was made possible by the voluntary contributions of over 24,000 individuals, business firms, and organizations."

"Honoring veterans of all wars.

For those who follow:
You will be challenged in your times.
Meet the challenge"

"Dedicated to the veterans of Cambria County, whose service in World War II was given with honor and integrity and to those who made the supreme sacrifice. We are forever grateful.
Donated by Conemaugh Valley Det. Marine Corps League
12 Nov 2004"

What a great memorial! There are many war memorial stadiums in the USA - and each serves the community as did the veterans they honor. The Johnston effort takes a half step further than most and combines a small veterans museum within the area and it is available for visits every weekday during business hours, and of course during area events.

The museum is a good reflection of how Johnstown and Cambria county thinks of its' sons and daughters that have gone to serve. The most striking thing to me was that the curators have taken the effort of collecting the hundreds of newspaper accounts pertaining to Cambria veterans and preserving them for the visitors. These accounts relate the joy, the pride, and often the sorrow of the community in times of war and military conflict. It also tells those stories of veterans who prodded the community never to forget the youngers that went away on their behalf. One particular article tells of veteran Ed Plows, who at age 81 was successful in bringing the tradition of a Veterans Day parade back to Johnstown. Bravo Zulu, Harry!

The news clippings are sealed in plastic and loosely bound. I found myself drawn to them, wanting to learn more about the attitudes on 'the home front' that was Johnstown during World War II, Korea, and VietNam. One boxed item entitled "The Cost of Victory" appears to be compiled by the Catholic Diocese and informs the community of another 16 men wounded, four killed in action, and one listed as missing on the latest casualty reports. It's a large box, there is no attempt to hide the number or obscure the names. The names are published with full measures of sadness and pride; Our Boys, Our War.

Another clipping shows two photos; the Gaydos brothers are home on leave! Andrew is an Army Corporal and has just returned from Italy and Joseph is a Seaman First Class in the Coast Guard - proudly sailing aboard a Cutter in the cold North Atlantic. Can you imagine the elation of Mr. and Mrs. Gaydos to have both of their sons home safely? The family of Marine Lieutenant Mary R. Palowitch never got to experience that feeling. Mary was a trailblazer, a young woman that felt her two brothers should not carry the burden of military service alone. She joined up, the first women to join from Cambria County, and was at Cherry Point, North Carolina, preparing to ship out to the Pacific Theater. She died when a fire in the womens barracks claimed five lives. Very often we forget the hazards of military life are not all found at the front lines.

The surprises and personal touches don't end with the news clippings. There are some great photos and artifacts upon the walls too. One framed shot shows Army 1st Lieutenant Edward A. Silk receiving the Medal of Honor from President Truman. The photo, taken during presentation ceremony on October 12, 1945, has a couple of other secrets that many might not know. Seated in the shot are two very important military figures of World War II;s General of The Army George Marshall and Fleet Admiral Ernest King. Both were smiling to see a brave young man receive the awards and additional photos (NOT ON DISPLAY HERE) show each of these men personally congratulating Silk. Silk later left the Army as a Lt Colonel but he never had the opportunity to enjoy all of the freedoms for which he fought - he died in November of 1955 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

One small room of the museum has uniforms on display, including a German soldiers uniform and several German artifacts. It wasn't unusual during World War I and II for parents at home to receive mysterious packages from their boys aboard. Knives, uniforms, medals, foreign coins and currency, and even rifles and pistols that were taken from prisoners or picked up as battlefield debris - all of it eventually became family keepsakes, reminders to the soldiers that were there of just what they had endured.

The lobby of the area is dedicated to the fallen. The honor rolls of World War II, Korea and subsequent conflicts are found here along with a very complete description of the G.A.R. post that was formed here just after the Civil War.