I begin this week with how much my wife and I enjoyed the “Backyard Brawl” last Friday. You have to understand that I’ve been watching poor football programs for the last fifteen years in Punxsutawney and Indiana, PA. It was a breath of fresh football air to watch two teams be so competitive with each other, with the game possibly going either way and finishing so close. My salute this week goes out to both school districts and communities who add so much to this special rivalry. The crowd was amazing and at one point it took me fifteen minutes to walk from one side of the field to the other. Thanks to everyone who supported the YMCA by registering for the “$20,000 Punt Pass and Kick Contest”. I look forward to our other three finalists and for the final contest to win a new car from Stultz and Brown on October 5th. This week I have to go with both Tyrone and BA in their respective games. My boss resides in Huntingdon and I look forward to once again showing him that everything is better in Tyrone.
Next Wednesday it will feature nonstop coverage as we remember the tragic events that took place last September 11th. At some point I’m sure you will put down the newspaper, turn off the radio and TV and just remember in your own way the horror that struck our nation a year ago. I do think however that attending services in this area is a positive show of unity to those nations and people that think that day struck us down as Americans. The Tyrone Cooperative Ministries have organized two special services starting Wednesday at 8:46 a.m. in Tyrone’s City Hotel Park. The “Candles of Freedom” service will feature music and remembrance. Please bring a candle that will be lit as part of the service. Later that night at 7 p.m. another service will be held at the Tyrone High School and will feature more music from the high school band, vocal ensemble and a newly formed community choir. The honor guard from the American Legion, and VFW along with other dignitaries will also attend. Local fire, rescue and police will be honored. Let’s show unity in our nation and right here in town, putting all of our differences aside for at least one day. Also look for our “America Remembers” tabloid in next Thursdays Daily Herald.
That day for me was ending as I had along with my radio morning show partner just said good bye to our audience at 8:50 a.m. while talking over the intro to the song “Peaceful Easy Feeling” by The Eagles. What a sad betrayal the song was as I walked down the hallway only to hear my wife scream telling me and showing me the coverage of an airplane crashing into the World Trade Center. I knew that our national radio network would be talking about it at nine AM, so I continued to watch the coverage. Then the second plane hit and I knew that we were under attack, as I raced to my news booth and cracked the mic to start what ended up being nineteen straight hours on the air reporting every detail of that day. The first words out of my mouth was “New York City is under attack”. Within ten minutes I had a former local resident on air with me screaming, crying and trying to describe what she was seeing. Dozens of former local Indiana, PA residents flooded our airwaves with calls letting loved ones back home know that they were okay. The news reports that I was delivering got personal as my brother-in-law, and my morning partner’s brother were involved in the attacks, but were okay. My voice wavered at times, and at one point emotion over came me and for the first time in twenty five years I lost it on the air. I regrouped after a moment and did what I was trained to do, reporting, interviewing and trying to reassure people that locally we were okay even when the FAA informed me that Flight 93 had gone right over our heads prior to crashing in Somerset County. I won an award that day, but I threw it away. I couldn’t being myself to keep a reward for something so tragic. More than not forgetting I will never be able to fully tell you how it changed me forever. I pray everyday for all the families that this effected, our leaders and soldiers still fighting, the children and our entire nation. Make sure to fly your flag this coming week to again show that no one can take away our freedom and unity. THEY lose!
I want to thank everyone at East End Pizza for their nice comments concerning what I’ve written about their delicious hoagies. I told the truth about my addiction and will next time do what other residents have done when they close for vacation. Buy some and freeze them!
What was Representative Larry Sather saying at the groundbreaking of the expansion at Smith Trucking last week? Sounded to me like there is some good news coming soon! Please call The Daily Herald when its time!
Did you notice that the gas tanks were removed from the old Martin Oil station in Tyrone? Is it getting close to being sold? Strong rumors also of a new ladies dress shop coming to town.
Have a wonderful weekend! I look forward to watching the leaves begin changing on the beautiful mountains that surround this area.
