Latest news with #HuntingdonCounty
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Q&A: New Stanton musician sounds taps at great-great-grandfather's grave
Jun. 1—Josiah Inghram joined the 130th Pennsylvania Regiment in the fall of 1862, at the age of 17. He trained in Harrisburg under Col. Henry Zinn and was quickly ordered to Antietam, where his regiment saw its first combat during the Civil War. More than 160 years later, his great-great-grandson Jay Copenhaver, 69, of New Stanton stood at his graveside this past Memorial Day, playing taps as part of a special ceremony in Mount Union, Huntingdon County. Nearby were more great-great-grandchildren, Copenhaver's sister and cousin. Copenhaver spoke recently with the Trib about working with nonprofits Bugles Across America and Taps for Veterans. This interview has been edited for length. Q: How did you come by the opportunity to play taps at your great-great-grandfather's grave site? A: I have been playing taps for funerals since the eighth grade. For several years, I've been a member of Bugles Across America and Taps for Veterans. These nonprofit organizations provide a means to connect buglers with families in need. A few years ago, Taps for Veterans started a program called Taps Across America to honor the fallen heroes on Memorial Day. At 3 p.m., thousands of musicians sound taps at a meaningful location. I have already sounded it for my father, stepfather and some uncles. This year, I wanted to honor my great-great grandfather, Josiah Inghram. Q: Tell me a little about your great-great-grandfather. A: His regiment faced its first major combat (at Antietam) on Sept. 17, 1862, participating in the intense fighting near the Roulette Farm (in Keedysville, Md.). They endured heavy fire and chaotic conditions, in what is called The Bloody Lane. After Antietam, the regiment moved to Harper's Ferry for recuperation and preparation for future campaigns. Their stay lasted from Sept. 22 to Oct. 30, 1862. The 130th was then ordered to Fredericksburg, Va., to join the Army of the Potomac commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside. The 130th Pennsylvania was among the first to assault Marye's Heights, suffering significant casualties. Col. Zinn was killed during this battle. My grandfather was discharged in early 1863 due to injury, and returned home to Cleversburg. Later, he married Rebecca Rhine, relocated to Mt. Union and worked as a miner and demolition technician at Matilda Furnace. Together, they raised six children on Ganister Hill. But fate dealt the family a devastating blow. On Dec. 19, 1881, Josiah placed a day's worth of dynamite in the family stove to thaw — a common but dangerous practice at the time. The resulting explosion claimed the lives of four of the couple's children — Frank, William, Mary and Grace — and fatally injured Josiah. He died the following day. His wife Rebecca was badly hurt, but survived and gave birth just months later to Joseph Ingram, my great-grandfather. Q: Do you still get a little nervous or anxious every time you have to play taps? A: I played it at seven cemeteries on Memorial Day. I am the post bugler for VFW Post 211 in Youngwood. I always had a bad case of nerves when playing, but as I approach age 70, it's getting better. Q: What goes through your mind as you're playing and thinking about this connection to your distant family? A: As I was standing there at parade rest in front of Josiah and his children's gravestone waiting, I realized if my great-great grandmother, who was pregnant with my great-grandfather, hadn't survived the explosion, I would not have been standing there. I suddenly felt transported back to that day and could imagine the horrifying blast that took their lives. These thoughts were very real and personal to me and I felt extremely honored to be able to sound taps. There was no trepidation. Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Campers move to private grounds as state ones remain closed this Memorial Day weekend
HUNTINGDON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)– Due to the ongoing federal hiring freeze pushing back the opening date of Raystown Lake campground to July 15, several people's Memorial Day traditions will look different this year. 'The vast majority of folks that we talk to are very understanding but disappointed, and I would say that is reflective of how we feel as well,' Park Ranger Jenna Conner said. Conner is one of four permanent rangers who work year-round at the lake, and they usually hire around twelve more every summer. She said the closures could result in a loss of visitors and revenue. Cambria County Farm Bureau teaches students importance of agriculture 'Seven Points alone is one of the highest revenue generating campgrounds in the US Army Corps of Engineers,' Conner said. 'We consistently rank about first or second. That generates about one point two million dollars every year.' But some campers are returning, opting instead for privately owned options like Pleasant Hills Campground. 'We have a lot of new guests coming in this year that are first timers,' Owner of Pleasant Hills Campground Rachel Lentz said. 'Our hope is that they'll enjoy their time here and repeat camp with us in the future.' The campground has 140 sites that are expected to be full most of the holiday weekend. But while they are capitalizing on the opportunity, there is concern that fewer visitors could have a large impact on local businesses that rely on tourism. 'I'm hoping that the community will rally around these businesses and show their support this summer to kind of make up for some of that loss that I'm sure they will experience,' Lentz said. 'It's hard to determine what that number is going to be,' Conner said. 'We know it's going to be significant but it's hard to determine how much.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
