‘Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction’

May 22, 2026

In July of 2026, America will celebrate its 250th birthday. The experiment in freedom that officially began in 1776 was preceded by acts of the Continental Congress to establish the Continental Army (June 14, 1775), Continental Navy (October 13, 1775) and Continental Marines (Nov. 10, 1775). Though the Colonies had yet to declare independence from Great Britain, the seeds had been planted and a military had been formed. The rest is history — 251 years worth. Today, America celebrates on the backs of all who served in all branches of the U.S. Military. Freedom was forged through the ...

Stroup–Alexander VFW Post 5935 celebrates 80th anniversary

May 22, 2026

May 1946 – May 2026 BELLEVILLE — Nowhere in its charter does it say that Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5935 would ingrain itself so deeply into community life, becoming a beacon of benevolence throughout the Big Valley. Yet today, 80 years after it was chartered, the post stands as a ...

Stroup-Alexander VFW Post 5935 in Belleville recognizes 80 years of service

May 22, 2026

BELLEVILLE — Eighty years of service to the community. Since 1946, Stroup-Alexander VFW Post 5935 in Belleville has honored our Nation, served the Belleville community and recognized veterans spanning eight decades. It did not take long for the post to make its mark after an organizational ...

Major Miller’s influence: Glenn Miller’s legacy lives on

May 22, 2026

LEWISTOWN — Lewistown Community Band is currently rehearsing music for our nation’s sestercentennial (or semiquincentennial) celebration this July. Some of the tunes include great songs from World War II. These songs are very familiar to me. My father loved big band music of the 1930s ...

Margraten: A special bond for 80 years

May 22, 2026

LEWISTOWN — While the cemetery is over 3,800 miles away, it shares a special relationship with the Lewistown area. The Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial at Margraten is the resting place of three U.S. Army soldiers from Juniata Terrace who gave their lives in World War II. The ...

Local WWII Carrier Pilot lost life attacking Honshu, Japan

May 22, 2026

OTSU, Japan — William Boyd Hall was born on Nov. 1, 1921 in Burnham to Keystone State natives Ralph Newton and Bessie May Hall. He had one younger sister, Sarah Jane. Their father supported the household employed as a foundry coremaker and, later, in the grocery business. Their mother was a ...