Feb 22, 2005 By Steve Ferris 3 min read

A committee planning a weeklong World War II anniversary observation in May in downtown Uniontown is asking county residents to share their memories and memorabilia. Interviews with 20 veterans discussing their experiences in the war will be videotaped and played at the State Theatre Center for the Arts during the May 1-8 event titled “Heroes All: 60 Years Later.”

Committee member Mark Rafail said all county veterans are invited to submit their photos with information listing the branch of military in which they served, dates they served, where they served, medals they received, their duties and their hometowns.

Those photos and the information will appear on the video after the interviews, he said, noting that the day of the showing has not yet been scheduled.

People with photos can drop them off at Commercial Center Associates on Peter Street or call 724-437-1750 and ask for Jessica Hajek.

Charmaine Sampson, co-chairperson of the committee planning the “Heroes All: 60 Years Later” anniversary, said she was disappointed that only one woman has contacted the committee to discuss her role in the war.

She asks any woman who worked in factories after the men were sent overseas to fight or any woman whose husband served in the military to call Ron Nehls at 724-437-9146 so they can be included in the video.

Civilian and military items from the war years are needed for a time capsule that will remain sealed until 2045 and for displays that will be set up in storefront windows during the anniversary.

The items in the time capsule, which will be buried at the George C. Marshall Memorial Plaza, cannot be returned, but the other memorabilia will be returned after the event, Sampson said.

Co-Chairman Dick Robbins said military uniforms, medals or small pieces of equipment, as well as civilian memorabilia like newspapers, clothes, letters from soldiers and food ration containers, would make the displays interesting.

People donating items should include something in writing identifying the owner and detailing the history of the item.

Fayette Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Muriel Nuttall, who also serves on the committee, said all the items should brought to the chamber office at 65 W. Main St. beginning March 1.

The anniversary will also feature an Americanism Day parade on May 2, World War II movies in the State Theatre on May 3 and 4, USO re-enactment shows on Main Street on May 5 and 6, speakers at the State Theatre on May 5 and World War II re-enactors on the lawns of Central School and the Uniontown Public Library.

The library is holding an essay contest for all county high school students in grades 9-12.

Library director Christy Fusco said students may chose between two topics for the 500-word essays, which must be completed and submitted between March 15 and April 15.

First-, second- and third-place winners will be announced during the anniversary and will receive a cash prize. Laurel Business Institute is donating the prizes.

The Central School memorial to the 99 men from Uniontown who died in the war will be restored before the event, Sampson said.