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Taps played in recognition of Armistice

Korean War Veterans of Lycoming County's Colorguard, Rod O'Brien, Joseph Subarton, Charles Johnson and Howard Wilt, present the flags as the band, organized by Judy Shell, starts the Taps.

After a short introduction by Mayor Gabriel J. Campana, Lycoming County veterans and civilians united with other patriots across the country as the song “Taps” was played in Veteran’s Memorial park on Wahoo Drive Sunday morning to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War I.

One hundred years ago, on “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” said Winston Churchill, Germany signed the Armistice in a French train car — vowing to end fighting with allied powers.

Though the official end of the war would not come until Jan. 20, 1920 with the signing of the Treaty of Versaille, Taps, “America’s national song of remembrance,” Campana said, following the armistice signing, marked the end of a struggle that left an estimated 16 million people dead, four monarchies and empires crumbled and swaths of Europe in ruins.

“Entire nations were pitted against each other,” Campana said. “Millions of men fought on land, on sea and in the air.

Modern weaponry caused mass casualties and civilian populations suffered hardships and came under the threat of enemy attack.”

The consequences shaped the 20th Century and the impact can be felt today, he said.

“According to the (World War I Centennial) commission, WWI remains America’s forgotten war. Even though more Americans gave their lives in that war than in Korea and Vietnam combined,” Campana said.

Judy Shell, of Williamsport, organized the band. She said her family has always been patriotic.

“Both of my parents were veterans,” Shell said. “My father was in the army and landed on Omaha Beach on D-day and my mother was in the Navy and was stationed in San Francisco and worked in communications decoding messages,” Shell said. “I didn’t serve so this is one way I can serve.”

Shell said it was an honor to play “Taps” and noted the importance of live music at such events.

Howard Wilt, chairman of the Veterans Memorial Park and colorguard with Korean War Veterans of Lycoming County, said World War I was supposed to be the war to end all wars, but “as long as you have people that want to tell other people what they’re supposed to do and how they’re supposed to live, you’re going to have wars.”

Wilt said he has plans to dedicate six new memorials in the park in time for next Memorial Day, which will commemorate every declared war the United States has been involved in.

“It’s great to honor all of those veterans from all wars,” Joseph Subarton, Korean War Veteran and fellow color guard member, said.

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