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08 Jun Crosby, Stills and Nash in Johnstown …

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Fri
08 Jun Crosby, Stills Event: Crosby, Stills…

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Thu
11 Oct The Fresh Beat Band Event: The Fresh Beat BandVenue: Cambria County War Memorial ArenaStart: 10/11/2012 6:30:00 PMCategory: CONCERTS CHILDREN/FAM…

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Ebensburg Area News

Fallen Navy SEAL, Penn State grad honored with memorial endurance test

Participants of the “Memorial Day Murph” were put through an intense test of endurance and fitness in honor of a Navy SEAL who died in the line of duty in 2005.

Workers at CrossFit Nittany organized the second annual event, in honor of Lt. Michael Murphey, a Penn State graduate who was gunned down during a firefight with insurgents.

According to a biography, Murphy exposed himself to open fire to make a satellite phone call for help, a move that helped save the life of another SEAL member that earned him the Medal of Honor.

CrossFit Nittany owner Bryan St. Andrews told 6News that the Murphy, and many Navy SEALs, are heavily involved in the fitness movement.

“They’re running one mile for time, and when they get back, they are doing 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 squats and then running another mile,” said St. Andrews. “People give a little bit extra effort. (The hero workouts) were all named after fallen soldiers, so, it gives you a little extra drive and remember what Memorial Day is really about.”

Retired Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anthony Dinallo told 6News that it’s reassuring to see civilians actively involved with honoring and helping veterans, whose service is often taken for granted.

"People hang flags, they love our country, but this is a good way to put ourselves through some pain and kind of relate in a really small way to what some of our troops go through each and every day,” said Dinallo. "As a former marine, I feel really passionate about it, and I always want to keep it in the forefront of my mind -- not forget all the pain that they go through and all the pain that we went through as a country throughout the last several years."

Proceeds from the “Memorial Day Murph” will be donated to Wounder Warriors.

_{Mon, 28 May 2012 19:28:44 -0400}

Trees dedicated at Sandyvale Memorial Gardens

Sandyvale Memorial Gardens in Johnstown had the look and feel of a mini carnival Monday, complete with food vendors, face painting and hot air balloon rides. But the real reason was to remember the veterans.

"It's just really to remember all of the veterans that have passed away in conflicts," said Jeremiah Rivine, a Boy Scout with troop 622 in Johnstown. "A lot of my family was in the military and a lot of them have been overseas."

The celebrations have been taking place at the park every Memorial Day since the 1800s.

"Sandyvale is a veterans cemetery. It always has been and it always will be," said Bill Horner, president of the park. "This is really the apex for us to celebrate veterans events here."

Mondays's service was accompanied by music from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 28th Infantry Division band. And there was a special dedication of 8 eight trees, with each one symbolizing a different war.

"These trees represent the wars that are represented at Sandyvale," said Horner. "Eight different wars are recognized here at Sandyvale with veterans buried."

All eight trees are native to Pennsylvania and each one has a plaque below it to explain its meaning during each war.

"Each tree had a special purpose in that war," said Horner. "I like the Kentucky coffee tree. It had beans on it and those beans could be used to make coffee. During the civil war they couldn't get to the coffee."

Park officials said the trees are just another addition to celebrate the veterans in our area.

"It's a beautiful place to do it [with] 11 acres of flat green land in the City of Johnstown," said Horner. "That doesn't happen very often, so it's a great place for that."

_{Mon, 28 May 2012 17:15:08 -0400}

Vietnam war vet still in hospital 2 weeks after assault

A Vietnam war veteran spent Memorial Day in the hospital after police said he was beaten on his own property, all over a parking space.

6 News broke the story on Friday, but details were limited because of the ongoing investigation. Maria Miller sat down with the victim's family on Monday. Because he is a Vietnam war vet, they said Memorial Day was the perfect day to speak out.

John Carothers, 62, moved to the Highland Park area of Stoneycreek Township to get away from everything.

"Yes my brother is a private person," said Lynne Koontz, Carothers sister. "He got this place and he wanted to keep to himself."

"A Vietnam [vet,] senior citizen, disabled man... A man that protected this country and now they tried to put him in a body bag," said Mary Duranko, another sister.

It's been two weeks since Carothers was severely beaten on his own property, all because police said he asked 25-year-old Joshua Miller to move his car.

"The first punch was so hard that it put my brother on the ground," said Koontz. "My brother had no idea what was coming next."

Police said Miller proceeded to kick and punch Carothers, eventually stomping on his neck.

"The bones that were crushed were stomped on," said Koontz. "Whoever did it was a calculated maneuver."

Carothers' sisters said he's been fighting for his life ever since.

"They put metal in his neck to reattach the bones, he has a trach in and he has a feeding tube in," said Koontz. "He's been in intensive care"

His sisters said he's just started to talk a little and that's helping them piece together more details.

"John remembers everything," said Duranko. "He remembers all that happened."

Corother's family said he's still got a long road to go, but they're just thankful he's alive. They said it's time to fight for his justice and they're hoping to rally his fellow veterans to help.

Miller is out on a bond with a preliminary hearing set for June 5.

_{Mon, 28 May 2012 17:12:16 -0400}

News Source: MedleyStory More Local News Stories