Legionaire's efforts honored
CHICORA — On July 18, Fred Callihan of Chicora American Legion Post 642 received the Pennsylvania American Legion Distinguished Service Award at the Legion's 92nd Annual Convention in Harrisburg.
"I got a letter in the mail saying I'd won an award and had no idea what they were talking about," Callihan said.
"It was quite a shock to me."
Ten people received the award, but Callihan was one of only two people honored for Pennsylvania. He was recognized for his efforts in helping to raise about $100,000 in cash and services to renovate the veterans honor roll next to the post on Main Street.
"It had very little to do with me and a lot to do with the people who supported the program," Callihan said.
Callihan's efforts included some 4,000 mailings, contact with local media, speeches and the coordination of several fundraising events.
"He oversaw everything, and the public response was great," said post Adjutant Chuck Hetrick.
"We never expected to have so much response from the community."
The honor roll, built in 1939 and refurbished in 1944 and 1970, was a dilapidated brick structure with four plaques remembering those who have served and died in the military as well as supporters of service members.
Thanks to the efforts of Callihan, vice-commander of the post, and others, the memorial's brick-and-mortar facade has been refurbished, its plaques cleaned and moved to the back and two new ones, created by Sign Innovation in Harmony, installed in front.
Two 'cannonball' benches, made from planks set atop cannonballs on each side and weighing 800 pounds apiece, as well as a new flagpole and sidewalk leading to the memorial also were installed.
"We're now in the process of putting light on the new flagpole," Hetrick said.
The small grass park in which the memorial sits has been beautified with flowers and shrubs, and the podium in front of the memorial, which honors Sgt. Frank W. Mills (1845-1923) as the county's only Medal of Honor awardee at the time, has been refurbished.Two Chicora-based businesses, Rickert Cement and Landscaping and Mortland Planning and Design, provided about $30,000 worth of services free to the Legion.Mortland did drawing and architectural work while Ritzert repaved the sidewalk.Boy Scout Troop 217, sponsored by Chicora Moose Lodge 962, provided the landscaping and repaired the retaining wall facing the post."The nice thing about it, we never had to ask. We sent a letter out letting people know how to donate, and they did," Callihan said.The memorial was unveiled on schedule during the borough's Memorial Day festival, and the new veterans honor roll was dedicated by guest speaker Lt. Gen. John Stattler, USMC retired."He's a gentleman's man, a soldier's man," Hetrick said."We though he might ride on the float with the disabled veterans (in the parade) that day, or ride in a Jeep, but he marched the whole way."Stattler has served as director for strategic planning and policy for the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and is the United States' representative to the Military Staff Committee of the United Nations."We want to thank everyone who responded, as well as all the volunteers and businesses who donated their time, services or equipment," Hetrick said.
