Planning under way for event
Planning is already under way for an epic seven-day celebration of Americanism Day in Uniontown and the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The event, set for May 1-8, has been named “Heroes All: 60 Years Later.”
And because VE Day coincides with Mother’s Day this year, special attention is being given to the role women played in World War II.
“We’re looking for women who worked in World War II,” said Charmaine Sampson, one of the more than 40 people planning the event. “We want to get them included and recognized.”
She said her mother was among the thousands of American woman who went to work in industry after the men were shipped overseas to fight.
Sampson said her mother was among many local women who worked in Rose Iron Works, which was located at the Uniontown site where O.C. Cluss Lumber now sits.
Coincidentally, women who worked in factories were collectively dubbed “Rosie the Riveter.”
Robert Junk, another member of the Heroes All committee, said the contribution women made to the war effort is overlooked too often.
Most never worked outside of their homes before, but their productivity was unrivaled, he said.
The man who Junk and Sampson work for, Joseph A. Hardy III, who is a World War II veteran, will be marshal of the Americanism Day parade on May 2.
Retired Gen. Edward C. Meyer, former chief of staff of the Army, will be the honorary parade marshal and the guest at a ceremony at George C. Marshall Memorial Plaza on May 1.
Former U.S. Sen. George McGovern, a World War II bomber pilot, will speak during the closing event on May 8 – VE Day – in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 47 parking lot.
A time capsule filled with World War II memorabilia will be sealed at the park across from the Marshall Memorial Plaza. The time capsule will be encased with instructions that it not be opened until May 8, 2045, the 100th anniversary of VE Day.
Americanism Day traditionally is celebrated on May 1, but because that day will fall on Sunday this year, it will be moved to May 2.
Joe T. Joseph, Americanism chairman for the American Legion’s Department of Pennsylvania, said eight to 10 floats will carry World War II veterans in the parade, which will also feature veterans of all wars in which Americans fought, veterans organizations, local schools and other marching units.
He said city police, firefighters and paramedics and the county sheriff’s office will coordinate road closures and prepare an area where medical attention can be provided if necessary for aging veterans.
Some World War II veterans are more than 80 years old, but those who are willing and able will walk in the parade.
“World War II veterans, they are the elite generation,” Joseph said. “We live under the freedom they fought for, and they’re not recognized enough.”
The parade will include Jeeps and other vehicles that were used in the war. Joseph said he has been contacting people all over the country who own authentic vehicles and asking them to bring them to Uniontown.
“We expect that to be the biggest parade ever in downtown Uniontown,” Joseph said.
He said any veteran, including those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, who wants to participate should call him at 724-438-8688.
Most of the planned activities focus on World War II.
“The reason for this celebration is there’s a whole generation of youth that won’t know anything about World War II except what they read,” Sampson said. “We had a tremendous group of men and women from Fayette County that served in the war and deserve recognition.”
Organizers are recording interviews of veterans and Rosie the Riveters talking about their wartime experiences, and those videos will be played in the State Theatre Center for the Arts throughout the week.
The State Theatre will also host speakers, bands and original black and white versions of classic World War II movies like “The Longest Day” and “Tora Tora Tora.”
Also, Christie Fusco of the Uniontown Public Library is organizing an essay contest for high school students. The winner receives a cash prize and will read his or her essay at the closing event.