It's our 90th anniversary as an independent Borough and it is such an honor to be recognized by the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 27 as a "Purple Heart Community". The Borough of Manville has a rich veteran history. Residents of Manville have been killed in action in every major conflict from WWI on. Over 1,300 veterans are buried locally in our three cemeteries. We had the largest VFW membership of any post in the state at one point in time.
The Wreaths Across America Arlington convoy stopped at Manville High School in 2017 and that was a special day for our community. In 2018, every veteran laid to rest at Sacred Heart Cemetery receiveda remembrance wreath. And now veteran banners of our Hometown Heroes fly proudly on our Main Street,with 7 killed in action and many more with the Purple Heart medal displayed. Some of our HomeTown Heroes killed in action were: Thomas J. Kavanaugh, WWI; Anthony Trilone and Walter Szymanski, WWII;Robert Gray, Korean War; Sgt Andrew Horvath, PFC Michael Martineau and Col. John Dudash, who was shot down and missing in action for over a decade, all 3 were killed in action from the Vietnam War.
In May of 2018, we also had the POW/MIA Chair of Honor installed in our council chamber by Rolling Thunder as a constant reminder to the more than 82,000 still missing in action or being held as prisoners of war. We must take the time to remember all of our veterans and teach our youth about the price of freedom.
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May God bless all our veterans and active military personnel protecting our freedoms. Let us never lose sight that we live in one of the most patriotic towns in Somerset County, in the greatest country in the world, the United States of America - home of the free, because of the brave! A special thank you to Chapter 27 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart for recognizing and bestowing this honor on the Borough of Manville at our council meeting held on Monday, October 14th.