Jun 9, 2002 By April Straughters 3 min read

The American Legion Riders livened up the Laurel Ridge Center and stirred up the emotions of the veterans there as they celebrated “Christmas in June” Saturday. Red, white and blue streamers hung from the ceiling of the recreation room of the Laurel Ridge Center. Staff members and nurses waved American flags as the American Legion Riders, dressed in their leather biker gear, saluted the veterans, some dressed in patriotic sweatshirts bearing the American flag, before passing out their gifts.

Clarence “Pete” Barber, a veteran of World War II said he’s not a “partygoer” and doesn’t usually participate in parties at the center. But when asked if he was happy he attended the “Christmas in June” celebration, he said, “Oh, yeah.”

Barber, 83, cried again and again as he tried to talk about how much he appreciated the American Legion Riders’ generosity. Tears filled his eyes every time he tried to speak. His speech was slow due to his overwhelming emotions, but he managed to express himself.

“It touches me that they would take time to comes see us,” he said. “It feels good to be recognized.”

Barber, originally from Ralph, said recognition for service to his country is mostly emotional for him because he lost a brother to war.

“I had a brother (Clifford “Tony” Barber) killed in Korea at age 21,” he said. “That still hurts.”

Albert Yasechao who also fought in World War II also shed tears when he tried to express his gratitude.

“This was nice,” he said.

Yasechao said he is in his late 90s and rarely gets visitors. He said it was nice just to have someone give him a visit.

That is one reason Fayette County Commander George Piovesan said the American Legion Riders held their first “Christmas in June.”

“Some of these people have no family. They served time in the service and now they don’t have anybody. We are veterans too and we are a part of them. We want them to know that,” he said.

Ray Anthony, president, agreed.

“Too often veterans get put in these homes and forgotten about. It’s not right,” Anthony said.

Anthony grew emotional as he thanked the veterans for their service to the country before passing out bags of beautifully wrapped presents to each veteran.

Anthony said their affiliate, the American Legion Post 301, Connellsville and the American Legion Riders Association, both donated money to purchase, sweatshirts, sweatpants, underwear and socks for the elderly veterans.

Anthony said he called all 37 elderly homes in the county and chose Laurel Ridge because they had the most (eight) veterans at their facility.

He said there are 30 active members of the American Legion Riders, who regularly participate in parades and recently held a fundraiser for a young woman with cervical cancer.

Norma McCourt, recreation director at Laurel Ridge, said the event was “wonderful” for the veterans there.

“Vets are honored only once a year. It’s not quite enough in my opinion. I know these guys appreciated it. You can see that from the stir of emotions here. They sometimes think they are forgot about. Today they see they are not,” McCourt said.