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MIFFLINTOWN -- Continuing the celebration of America's 250th birthday, distinguished guests joined together in a fundraising party like no other.
Of course, there's never been a Star-Spangled Soiree, sponsored by the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce at the Juniata Valley Winery in Mifflin on Saturday.
The evening began at 5:30 p.m. with guests arriving to patriotic music while colonial-era reenactors mingled with attendees, sharing stories and setting a historical tone.
Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rhonda Kelley presented the flag and shared brief remarks about the significance of America250 and the evening's purpose as a community celebration and fundraiser.
"We feel that the celebration of our nation's 250th anniversary is a very important milestone and as we thought about this momentous occasion we thought about our forefathers, to think of the bravery those men had, they would have been hung as committing treason for what they did when they signed that Declaration of Independence and their families would have been destitute. That took bravery beyond what I can imagine," Kelley said.
Kelley acknowledged dignitaries, including Rebecca Countess from U.S. Sen. John Fetterman's office, Lewistown Mayor Deb Bargo, Juniata County Commissioner Alice Gray and John Brennaman from Senator Judy Ward's office who were in attendance for the evening.
A dinner was served followed by the guest speaker, historian Tyler Gum, who shared insights into our nation's founding. His tales were about locals from Juniata and Mifflin counties and their impact on our history as a whole.
Gum told the story of the impact Daniel Dobbins, who has a monument in Erie Pennsylvania known as Dobbins Landing. Dobbins Landing is a tourist area showing tribute to his sacrifice.
The day after the Declaration of Independence was signed, July 5, 1776, Dobbins was born in Lewistown but he eventually made his way to Erie where he fought in the War of 1812 and was in charge of the building of the ships at Erie, that Oliver Hazard Perry commanded in the Battle of Lake Erie.
"So when you think about the factories and mills like Standard Steel it all goes back to Daniel Dobbins, he laid the heel," said Gum.
One of Gum's favorite pastimes when he visits Lewistown is to view the stone sentinel clutching the sword atop Monument Square.
Gum shared, "This is similar to us in the Valleys, we stand ready, no matter what calls we answer."
Gum told another story of a local man from Juniata County who enlisted in the Navy and fought during World War I.
Admiral Samuel Robbinson commanded the Atlantic submarine and became the general supervisor for the entire submarine for the United States Navy. After his service in World War I he became the superintendent of the United States Naval Academy.
Another name Gum said Americans should be proud of is Jack Womer, a World War II veteran and a member of the 29th Ranger Battalion, the 101st Airborne Division and the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Womer was also a member of the famous Filthy Thirteen, a group of men who jumped on D-Day on June 6, 1944.
Gum brought up Joseph Rothrock, a known name in the Rothrock area who overcame personal illness in the woods of Pennsylvania, becoming the "Father of Pennsylvania Forestry."
Lastly, there was Forrest Kephart, who was born in Juniata County and worked as a librarian.
He left his life for adventure and went to the Smokey Mountains to document, photograph and write about it.
"His lasting impact is what led to the Great Smoky National Park and to this day he has Mt. Kephart is named after him," Gum said.
"These ordinary men who chose extraordinary service when it mattered most, with liberty, defended with such bravery our County's determination to build America," Gum added.