Latest news with #WayneLangerholc
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day ceremony marks 'solemn' remembrance for military fallen
Gathered beneath a large tent Monday, dozens of area residents marked Memorial Day at Sandyvale Memorial Gardens and Conservancy continuing a generations-long tradition in the city of Johnstown. 'I ask you to find meaning in your life for those who gave all in service of our country,' retired U.S. Army Col. Jeff Pounding said. He served as this year's keynote speaker on the hallowed grounds which previously served as a cemetery and had Revolutionary and Civil War-era soldiers interred there. Pounding is a decorated service member who told the crowd that Memorial Day is a 'solemn' occasion for him in which communities come together to commemorate the valor of those who gave their lives for their country. Dozens of people attended the event on the cool May morning, including several veterans from nearly every branch of the military. James A. Clark was one of those people. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and said after the ceremony that Memorial Day is a reminder to him that people of all races and creeds have allied in defense of the United States and paid the ultimate price in doing so. Clark has attended the Johnstown event for decades, having started when he was a boy and his father, James. F. Clark, a U.S. Merchant Marine, would take him. 'Very inspirational,' he said. James Dudley, who served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1968 to 1981, arrived shortly after the ceremony concluded but still wanted to pay his respects. 'These are all my brothers,' he said. 'The ones who didn't come home.' Memorial Day is an emotional day for Dudley, who said he always pays tribute to the fallen. Other speakers during the day including state Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Richland Township, and Jason Minor, Junior Vice Commander of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. 'We can truly never thank those that died in the line of duty so that we can remain free,' Langerholc said. He also told the crowd the story of U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Phillip Langerholc, his great uncle, who served during World War II. The elder Langerholc died in combat while fighting in the Pacific Theater, and the senator has the last letter his relative sent home before perishing. Wayne Langerholc said reading that letter and speaking Monday were earnest reminders of the price of freedom. Minor read Gen. John A. Logan's General Orders No. 11, otherwise known as the Memorial Day Order. Logan issued the directive on May 5, 1868, writing that the end of May would be reserved for 'the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.' 'In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit,' Minor read. Diana Kabo, president of the Sandyvale Cemetery Association Inc. and memorial gardens, said the Johnstown community has gathered at Sandyvale since 1886 when the holiday was formerly known as Decoration Day. Joshua Byers is a reporter for The Tribune- Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
More state officials speak out on Penn State campus closures: ‘It's disheartening'
DUBOIS, Pa. (WTAJ) — Since the Penn State Board of Trustees voted last week to close seven branch campuses, including DuBois, we've heard from several state officials who've raised concerns. 'It's disheartening to see them pull out and leave rural Pennsylvania at a loss here, so we will meet the challenges that this presents,' Senator Wayne Langerholc said. When we spoke with a donor of the Penn State DuBois campus earlier in May, they expressed concern about the buildings that they've donated to. Langerholc says that they're working to figure out a plan so the buildings don't sit vacant. 'We've been in talks and we'll continue to talk with any entity that you know believes in rural Pennsylvania in rural Clearfield County and wants to invest. I think that anyone that's willing to invest will find that we have incredible people in this region, we have incredible work ethic, we have incredible knowledge, we have incredible drive,' Langerholc said. More on Penn State University campus closures Senator Langerholc also expressed concerns about another move that could hurt rural communities; the state's plan to close Quehanna Bootcamp and SCI Rockview, but he remains optimistic. 'We will meet these challenges head on, and I'm confident on that front that we'll be able to hold those prisons in as well, but we will meet the challenges head on,' Langerholc added. The seven Penn State campuses are set to close their doors after the spring 2027 semester, but first, the closures must be approved by the department of education and governor Josh Shapiro, who seems to support the closures. He's publicly stated that he has confidence in the leadership at Penn State who made the decision. To read more about the Penn State campus closures, you can click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fallen remembered, veterans honored in Cambria County on Memorial Day
CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Memorial Day is a day to remember America's fallen military members, and many state leaders attend various services across the Commonwealth. Senator Wayne Langerholc attended Sandyvale's dedication service in Cambria County, honoring the men and women from the county who gave their lives fighting for our country. The service also honored veterans in attendance with a special pinning ceremony. Langerholc spoke about his great-uncle, who was killed in World War II. He shared how special this day is to honor his uncle, as well as others who have served. Veterans who spoke at the service expressed how the day has turned into a celebration for many Americans, but remembering why we have the day is what's important. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State officials announce solar grant for Central Cambria
EBENSBURG, Pa. – Central Cambria School District has earned a Solar for Schools grant to install solar energy at Jackson Elementary School in Jackson Township. State Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Richland Township, and state Rep. Frank Burns, D-East Taylor Township, announced the news Tuesday. 'Every dollar a school district spends on energy is a dollar it can't spend on educating children,' Langerholc said in a release. 'This grant will help pay for a project that will save taxpayer dollars and free up funds for education.' Burns said in a statement that elected officials heard Central Cambria's request for assistance and are happy to help. 'We took their message to heart and now they will benefit from a state grant to help them reduce their electricity bills by generating their own electricity,' Burns said. 'It's advanced thinking like this that will help the district save costs and enable the districts to focus more on educating students and supporting their teachers.' Central Cambria will receive $148,256 to purchase and install a 181-kilowatt system on the elementary roof. The total project cost is estimated to be $370,640, and the average annual savings to the district is expected to be $22,374. Solar for Schools is a novel competitive grant program created in 2024 and funded through the 2024-25 budget.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate approves resolution that would create task force for law enforcement recruitment
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — The Senate has approved a resolution that would create a task force to focus on recruiting and retaining officers in Pennsylvania. The legislation, Senate Resolution 94, is sponsored by Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) and Sen. Joe Picozzi (R-5). It would create a task force in partnership with the Joint State Government Commission. The task force would examine challenges in filling law enforcement vacancies, correction officers and prosecutors. 'Our communities are safer when law enforcement agencies are fully staffed with well-trained, dedicated professionals,' Langerholc said. 'This resolution is a step forward to identify solutions for the growing number of vacancies, support our law enforcement personnel, and ensure public safety remains a top priority.' The overall goal will be to develop recommendations to grow the state's ability to attract and retain qualified people for those positions. The task force's final report on their findings and recommendations will be due on April 30, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
