101st Birthday Celebrated At Delaware Valley Veterans’ Home
Delaware Valley Veterans’ Home resident June Marie Miskovish recently celebrated her 101st birthday. Miskovish is a Navy veteran who served during WWII.
She was born on July 21, 1924 in Donegal, PA and graduated from Ramsay High School in Mount Pleasant, PA in 1943. Upon graduation, she enlisted in the U.S. Naval Service in 1944.
Training was completed at the U.S. Naval Technical School, Hunter College, New York City. During World War II she served in the Field Branch Business and Administration in Cleveland, OH, achieving the rank of Yeoman First Class, and was authorized to wear the American Campaign and World War II Victory Ribbon.
Her Honorable Discharge from US Naval Service was Aug. 16, 1946. On August 24, 1946 she married Charles W. Kerrigan in Cleveland, Ohio. They had two sons, Charles and William who presently reside in the Philadelphia, PA area. During her married years, she remained active with The Waves Unit 133 in Northeast Ohio. She became a Charter Member of Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc., and attended through an Honor Flight the Dedication Ceremony on October 1977 at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
Orange Heart Medal Ceremony Held At Southwestern Veterans’ Center To Honor Nine Residents
The Southwestern Veterans’ Center (SWVC) hosted an Orange Heart Medal Ceremony on July 18 to recognize and present nine Vietnam veterans with the medal.
Agent Orange was first used by the U.S. military in Vietnam on August 10, 1961, and continued until 1971, as part of herbicidal warfare program to destroy plant life and food sources for enemy forces. The U.S. government stopped spraying herbicides in October 1971. Production of Agent Orange ended in the 1970s and is no longer used.
Agent Orange is a dioxin, a cancer-causing chemical that enters the body through physical contact or ingestion. Dioxin moves into the human cell nucleus where it attacks the genes and causes several serious illnesses. For approximately 2.6 million American soldiers, as well as Vietnamese troops and civilians, these effects laid dormant for 40 plus years, causing serious physical harm. In some cases, genetic damage has affected the second and third generations among those who were exposed.
Since 1988, August 10 has been recognized as Agent Orange Awareness Day, aiming to honor those affected by this toxic chemical and raise awareness of the ongoing health issues related to it.
The Orange Heart Medal Project was founded in January 2018 by a U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran undergoing cancer treatment, to honor Vietnam War veterans affected by Agent Orange. The project aims to recognize those impacted by exposure during service. Using his own money, he designed and created the Orange Heart Medal, offering it for free to veterans and their spouses since “the veteran has already paid for it.” The project emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and supporting these brave individuals.
Talented Painters at Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center
Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center GMVC) has a Paint and Sip program for their residents on the first Friday of every month. The residents enjoy painting while they are served beverages, snacks, and hors d’oeuvres. Their creations are left to dry overnight and then are delivered by the staff the following day to their respective rooms for display. The Paint and Sip program is such a great hit that GMVC had to add an additional Paint and Sip event to its September calendar.
Five Veterans at Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home Receive Special Recognition on Purple Heart Day
In honor of Purple Heart Day on Aug. 7, five veterans at Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home received special recognition pins from the leadership team to recognize them as recipients of the Purple Heart medal. The Purple Heart, “the medal that nobody wants”, honors the strength and sacrifices of our military personnel who were wounded or killed in combat or by acts of terrorism.
The Purple Heart was established by General George Washington on Aug. 7, 1782, as the “Badge of Military Merit” to honor non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Continental Army who demonstrated exceptional bravery and fidelity. It was shaped like a heart and made of purple cloth or silk, edged with narrow silver lace or binding through the material. Washington understood its importance and authorized others to provide awards when necessary. The Badge of Merit faded in use over time but was revived in 1932 as the Purple Heart we know today, honoring those wounded in combat and for commendable actions. In 1944, it was to specifically honor those wounded or killed in action.
Since 1957, the Purple Heart Foundation has been in place as an advocate, funding services and programs for veterans with a particular focus on those who were wounded.
Purple Heart Day was first observed in 2014, to honor the bravery of troops while raising awareness of the impacts of war on veterans and their families.