Summer Issue (August, 2009)
Published by the Mt Zion Historical Society
James Burke,President and Editor
B Nay,Web Coordinator




Dear Mt Zion Historical Society (MZHS) Friends:



What an exciting and busy three months we have had since our last newsletter. This newsletter issue provides a brief summary of our activities and happenings over this past quarter. The highlight of the past quarter has been the

Mt. Zion Historical Park's Memorial Day Dedication.

In our last issue and during the Memorial Dedication we have written and honored Carmen Parziale and the USS Grunion that was lost at sea. Mary Bentz has graciously continued this series

"Lost at Sea"

for us to better understand these heroic deeds and actions of our veterans. In October everyone is invited to the

Dedication of the new Bridge

in Benezette in honor of an American hero John E. Showers. The

MZHS Board Update

is presented here to keep you abreast of their happenings which includes an update of the Veterans Walkway additions and corrections. There has been much excitement about

Special Bennett's Valley Books

of unique interest to MZHS friends and members. And very importantly is an special announcement of

MZHS Scholarships

that are currently available. In July a couple of our board members (Jim Burke and Bob Nay) had a chance to visit the Kenelm Winslow home in Marshfield, Massachusetts. This home built around 1650 was the home of the immigrant ancestor of the Benezette Winslows, and is currently a private residence. More will be said about this house in our next newsletter.

We hope you enjoy this issue and as always if you have any questions or other comments, please let us know.


MT. ZION HISTORICAL PARK'S MEMORIAL DAY DEDICATION

By Becky Polaski
Reprinted from the St. Mary's Daily Press
Pictures courtesy of Leslie Neal Glatt

The Mt. Zion Historical Society held its annual Memorial Day celebration on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Mt. Zion Historical Park.

Invocation The guest speaker at this year's event was State Representative Matt Gabler. As he addressed the crowd, Gabler reflected on the history of Jay and Benezette Townships and noted that it is some-thing for the Township residents to be proud of.

Matt Gabler and Leslie Neal-GlattI think it is important for all of us to remember what a vibrant history we have, "Gabler said.

Gabler, along with Elk County Veterans Affairs Director Leslie Neal-Glatt, also made a special presentation to the family of Private Harry E. Harrison.

"There are some times across history where our government doesn't quite get things right. Today we have the opportunity to correct one of those instances, "Gabler said.

He explained that Harrison was killed in action in France on June 24, 1944. When Harrison's family was notified of his death in November 1944, they were informed that Harrison would be posthumously receiving a Bronze Star Medal for gallantry and bravery in action.

"Up until today, that has only been on paper. For whatever reason the family has never received that Bronze Star," Gabler explained.

Bronze Star AwardedHe and Neal-Glatt then presented the family with the Bronze Star Medal in honor of Private Harrison.

Following this presentation, Neal-Glatt gave the dedication of the special award plaques and walkway pavers that had been installed at the Historical Park over the past year in honor of area veterans.

Others addressing the sizable crowd that gathered for the ceremony included Mt. Zion Historical Society President James Burke. As he addressed those in attendance, Burke reflected on the activities that have taken place in the past year and also noted that since last year's ceremony there have been 158 memorial pavers installed in the walkway at the Historical Park. He also explained that the Mt. Zion Historical Society now has a web site and can be found online at http://www.mtzionhistoricalsociety.org/.

Ron Guilyard addressed the crowd regarding Benezette native John Showers. Guilyard explained that Showers was killed in action in Vietnam in October 1967 while trying to save the life of a fellow soldier.

"Men like John must never be forgotten," Guilyard said. "On October 3, 2009 the newest bridge in Benezette will be dedicated to John and named the J. Showers Bridge."

Evo Facchine also spoke during the ceremony. Facchine wrote articles on ten Jay Township residents who lost their lives during World War II. These articles can be found on the Mt. Zion Historical Society web site. Facchine discussed how he came to write the articles and noted all of the help that he had received from the individuals' family members.

Mary Parziale Bentz was the final individual to address the crowd during the ceremony. She is the niece of Mary Bentz and Leslie Neal-GlattCarmine Parziale of Weedville, who was one of 70 men killed aboard the USS Grunion in 1942. Bentz explained that the Grunion's crew members were listed as missing in action for over 65 years until the submarine was finally located in 2006. Bentz was extremely influential in the search for the family members of the 70 men who were killed onboard the USS Grunion. She shared her story about contacting those individuals and also finding the final resting place of the submarine. A memorial plaque honoring her uncle was also dedicated during this year's ceremony.

Stearman Fly OverPrior to the ceremony, a fly over was performed by Caruso's Flying Service using a reconditioned Army plane, which Master of Ceremonies Charles Carpin explained was a B 17 1941 Boeing Stearman.

Special AnnouncementAssisting with the continued development of the Historical Park is Josh Smith of Weedville, who is working under the supervision of David Konkle as a requirement for his Eagle Badge of Rank. Smith organized a work party at the park at the beginning of May and a second work party is scheduled in order to put the finishing touches on the Veteran's Honor Walkway. Smith is a member of Troop 94, the Order of the Arrow, and is Senior Patrol Leader of his scout troop.



"Lost at Sea" by Mary Bentz

©2009 Mary Bentz

(This is the second article of the special "Lost at Sea" series by Mary Bentz regarding the sub "USS Grunion". For more info see our website.)

Mary Bentz-compliments of USA Today

A few days after the next of kin were notified of the loss of the Grunion, the Navy released that news to the media. The story appeared in newspapers all across the country.

©Clearfield Progress, October 5, 1942
American Sub "Grunion" Is Believed Lost

The state of Pennsylvania suffered the loss of six men on USS Grunion

" Torpedoman's Mate 3rd Class Carmine Anthony Parziale, Weedville, PA (Elk County)

Dr. Deno Reed grew up in the Valley and knew the Parziale family. He recalls that he was in Coppolo's Grocery Store Carmine Anthony Parziale in Weedville the day Western Union delivered the news. Dr. Reed writes, "I was shopping with my parents at Coppolo's store when Western Union read the message from the War Department that Carmen Parziale, son of Louise Parziale Scott, was aboard the USS Grunion and was 'Lost at Sea'. I do not know who would have delivered the message to your grandmother (the next day?), perhaps someone from the Military or the Red Cross. The person who answered the phone that day was Louise Coppolo, who by the way, was our High School English and Latin teacher."

" Electrician's Mate 1st Class Woodrow "Woody" Wilson Lehman, Mercer, PA (Mercer County)

Woody was" married and had a young son. His sister Lily recalls him saying, when he first saw Grunion at the Connecticut shipyard where it was built, "That's my casket."

" Motor Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Jack Pancoast, West Homestead, PA (Allegheny County)

Jack met and married Julia while serving on S-41 in Manila. The last his Filipino wife and their young son ever saw of him was when orders arrived transferring him to USS Grunion. It wasn't until recently that we discovered that his wife didn't learn of her husband's death until after the war. This was because Western Union Telegrams were sent to his parent's address in Pittsburgh out of fear for their safety in Manila. Just recently, as the result of a complicated and tedious process, we were able to locate his son. He had lost contact with other parts of the family and had never met his step sister.

" Executive Officer Millener Weaver Thomas, Philadelphia, PA (Philadelphia County)

A quote from one of the last letters Lt. Thomas sent to his wife and son. "Well my sweet, this will be all for now, hope you and Pete are having a swell time at the beach. Tell Pete that I wish I could have him on my shoulders breaking through the waves."

" Seaman 1st Class Albert Ullman, Philadelphia, PA (Philadelphia County)

George Herold, AI's buddy from sub school in New London, says he hadn't seen AI since they graduated from sub school. George was on USS Finback in the Aleutians when Grunion was reported missing. Orders from Dutch Harbor to try to contact Grunion from USS Finback were unsuccessful. After Aug 1, they called no more. George didn't find out until after the war that his friend Al was on that submarine.

" Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Raymond Eugene Webster, Philadelphia, PA (Philadelphia County)

His nephew remembers his own father saying that "My brother Ray was a young man who just wanted to defend his country."

Similarly across the country other families were receiving that same telegram, as well. Mrs. Catherine Abele reached out to all next of kin of the men on her husband's submarine.



…. to be continued:



BENEZETTE BRIDGE TO BE DEDICATED

Reprint Bennetts Valley News
July 30, 2009

Everyone is invited to the dedication of the new bridge in Benezette in honor of an American hero John E. Showers. John was killed in Viet Nam in October of 1967.

He was born and raised in Benezette and attended the Bennett's Valley Schools. He was truly a classmate and friend. The dedication will take place on October 3, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. on Winslow Hill at the Donald and Kitty Dudley Estate.

For those wishing to help with this dedication, there will be an organizational meeting on August 6th at 7:00 p.m. at the White Horse Tavern. Please try to come to this meeting as help is needed with directing traffic the day of the dedication, setting up a tent and chairs and other general help.

For more information regarding the planning of this special dedication please call Ron Guilyard at 814-781-7702. Thank You.



THE MT. ZION HISTORICAL SOCIETY - EXECUTIVE BOARD



The Mt. Zion Historical Society By-Laws call for a total of twelve members to serve as an executive board that constitutes an operation committee for the society. Over the course of the past fiscal year that ended on May 30, 2009, the board lost two members--John Gray who, recently passed away and will be sadly missed for his contributions to the society, and George Stroup who moved to California. John and George both severed as liaisons between the Society and Valley Legion as the Legion is involved in a number of projects at the park.

Rosemary Gray, John’s, wife as been elected to the committee. Rosemary, working with John, has established a clothing line that will soon be offered on the Society’s web-site, mtzionhistoricalsociety.org. She has also made other contributions to the society, including the cemetery lists which are also posted on the Society’s web-site.

Charles Carpin has been elected to the committee to serve as the new Liaison between the Society and the American Legion. Charlie has served as master of ceremonies for the past three years at the Mt. Zion Historical Society’s annual Memorial Day Dedication. Charlie is also a member of the Annual Labor Day Celebration, an event in which the Mt. Zion Historical Society participates.

The Mt. Zion Historical Society meets the third Tuesday of the Month, except for December, either in the basement of the Wesleyan Church or at the Mt. Zion Historical Park, depending upon the weather. The meetings are open to anyone wishing to attend.

As indicated above, the fiscal year for the Society ended on May 30th. This has been changed to December 31, and election of officers and board members will take place in January at the board’s regular meeting date.



CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS

NamePosition
James BurkePresident
Kenneth Ovell Vice President
Susan Mc Clintick Secretary - Treasurer
Peter Kunes Advisor
Vera Kunes Mt Zion Historian
Joyce LeePublic Relations
Charles Carpin Legion Liaison
Rosemary GraySpecial Assignments
David Konkle Park Development
Gaylon Mc ClintickPark Development
Rita Fence Ovell Special Projects
Bob NayMember At Large- Web Development


VETERAN'S WALKWAY ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS: The Mt. Zion Historical Society would like to thanks those who have identified some mistakes made on Veteran Pavers in the Park's Veterans Walkway. We want to assure everyone that action is currently in progress to make the necessary corrections to both the walkway and the records. Also there have been several additions to be made to the walkway. They are as follows:

Thanks for your support in honoring our Bennett's Valley veterans.



SPECIAL BENNETT'S VALLEY BOOKS AVAILABLE



Following this year's dedication ceremonies, both Ralph Harrison and Jim Burke had book signings at Mt. Zion Historical Park

Ralph Harrison's book entitled "The History of Pennsylvania - Elk Country" published by the Pennsylvania Forestry Association gives a detailed account of the history of elk that roam the mountain sides of the Bennett's Valley area.

Jim Burke's book entitled "Pioneers of Second Fork" published by AuthorHouse presents a history of Bennett's Valley by profiling fifteen pioneer families who were among the first pioneers to settle in the valley once known as Second Fork. Don’t miss out on this new exciting book chronicling early settlers of the Bennett’s Valley area!


Please send book requests along with your check $21 (includes tax and shipping as appropriate) to:

Mt Zion Historical Society
c/o Jim Burke
1793 Mt Zion Road
Weedville, PA 15868



MZHS SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

The Mt. Zion Historical is offering two scholarships totaling $1,000. The St. Mary Area School District has agreed to work with the society on this project. The Scholarship is open to all local students. The qualification to compete for the Scholarship is to write an essay on any subject relating to the History of Bennett’s Valley. You can get additional information on the scholarship by contacting Rita Fence Ovell at Abby Road, Weedville, Pa. 15868, Phone # 814-787-7282, e-mail address rdgrnrs2@windstream.net. The funds for the scholarship have been made available by the sponsorship of four local donors.




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