Legion honors charter members
Members and supporters of the American Legion Post 778 of Lyndora gathered Wednesday for a luncheon honoring two of their charter members, commemorating their years with the organization.
Paul Pietroski, who did not attend due to his health, and Michael Uram were issued certificates for their membership spanning more than 70 years each.
According to Al Worsley, the Post's commander, Pietroski and Uram may be the last two surviving charter members.
“These guys came home from the war and jumped right into the organization,” Worsley said.
Worsley presented Uram with the certificate and a commemorative coin. Uram's family also attended the event, bringing photographs depicting him in uniform and maps that showed where his service led him.
Uram served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 4th Armored Division, which traveled through France, Germany and Czechoslovakia. His role was as a forward observer.
Uram said he was a part of the liberation of two or three concentration camps.
Uram left the Army a decorated corporal, having earned multiple Bronze Stars, one Purple Heart and a Presidential Citation, among other honors. He would then dedicate three more years to the Pennsylvania National Guard. He worked at Armco for 44 years.
Uram said he felt honored to be recognized by his fellow members. During Wednesday's event, some of them stopped by his table to congratulate him, and others told of his character.
Isadore Polanec, an officer for the Post and the honoree's brother-in-law, said Uram could always be counted on to remind him when the meetings were.
“He never wanted to miss a meeting,” Polanec said. “He's very loyal.”
His daughter-in-law, Sue Uram, said the family has always been proud of him for his service, and they were happy to support him at the luncheon.
“He likes any opportunity to get his family together,” she said.
The family's banter turned into recollections of ways Uram described his time at war.
“I'm not a hero, I'm a survivor,” he would say.
Worsley also said the luncheon would not have been possible without the members from the Ladies Auxiliary, who provided the service.
“They were an integral part of this,” he said.
Worsley said this event is one of the many ways the organization supports veterans and their community. He said the organization uses 40 percent of the profit from its business ventures to pay the utilities and the remaining 60 percent is invested back into the community.
“We're here for all veterans and veteran issues,” Worsley said.
