- Last Updated on Monday, 01 July 2013 00:13
The June meeting of the Mid-Mon Valley Shipmates featured guest speaker Dr. J.K. Folmar, Professor Emeritus of History, at California University of Pennsylvania, and the president of the Monongahela River Buffs River Museum.
Dr Folmar explained that the Mon River is 128 miles long and flows north from West Virginia and proceeded to give a history of the Mon from 1700 to now. Brownsville was the hub in western PA and the gateway to the west and travel was by flatboats, keelboats and then steamboats, with the railroads overtaking the boat travel by the 1850's. For more detailed information, please go to:
http://monongahelariverbuffs.blogspot.com/2010/04/transportation-history-follows-current.html.
The annual Memorial Day parade was well represented by the Shipmates and we thank Myron Speitko, and James Caserta for their services, and the Shipmates who came out to take part in the parade. Commander Bill Hess also thanked all the Shipmates that took part in the Memorial Services in Monessen on May 26.
Joe Gallo gave his report for this year's annual picnic. The social hall at St Anthony's Church in Monongahela has been reserved for Sunday, July 28 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Door prizes, bingo, and food to be catered by D&D of Arnold City. Cost to members and one guest is free, however, additional guests will be charged $10. Last year we had a big sheet cake, but this year, it's was suggested to the committee that we ask the attendees to bring in cookies, etc., for desserts. Also, please bring in a small gift to be awarded out during the bingo games.
Wayne Vlasic gave his report on organizations that are considered worthy of receiving monetary gifts for the use of veterans. After reading of a list of said organizations, he recommended the Operation Troop Appreciation, located in the Century III Mall. Approximately 99.9% of money's collected goes to the cause. Please go to http://operationtroopappreciation.org/ for more info.
