BVA students help create look for memorial in Washington Township

Tears came to his eyes as Washington Township resident Gilbert Osborne talked of his days in World War II. Although more than 50 years have passed since that time, Gilbert still gets choked up as he recalls the atrocities of war.

"War is hell," he said. "It's pretty tough when someone gets blown up and you are asked to identify them. I want to thank the Lord for sparing me, not only once but many times."

Osborne participated in a recent event that honored four Belle Vernon Area students, Josh Cramer, Matt Kallis, Melanie Martin and Rebekah Latham, finalists in a contest to design the veterans memorial for Washington Township.

"I want to thank these children and everyone who is helping to bring about this honor roll," he told the audience of students, parents, teachers, elected officials and fellow veterans in Washington Township. "I remember these men, those from the second World War."

According to BVA high school principal Dr. J. K. Folmar Jr., it was decided by the memorial committee to hold a contest for the BVA students to design the memorial.

Thirty-six students from Bellmar and Rostraver Middle Schools as well the high school participated.

"It was a very tough assignment to choose four finalists," said Folmar. "I didn't know how the students would respond to the project, so I was very happy with the 36 designs."

The final selection was designed by Josh Cramer, a senior at the high school. Cramer's design is a star signifying freedom for all Americans because of the heroic efforts of those who defended the "stars and stripes," he said.

"I included flags in each of the four corners of the star that represent the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines," Cramer explained. "The flag in the fifth corner pays tribute to those soldiers who were prisoners of war or missing in action.

"Another integral aspect of my design includes engraved landscape stones for each war beginning with World War I. The U. S. flag will tower above the monument, having compelled so many men and women to risk their lives."

Cramer said the opportunity to enter the contest and design the memorial held a great deal of importance for him since his paternal grandfather and great-uncle, twin brothers Jim and Joe Cramer, served in the Marines during World War II. A maternal uncle, Barry Felicity, is also a veteran who served in the Marines during the Korean conflict.

Coming in second was the design by senior Matt Kallis.

"I wanted to have a lot of trees and shrubs in the background to represent life," he said. "Also a water fountain in the middle."

Kallis was inspired, he said, by the relationship he has with his maternal grandfather, Anthony Koszykowski, who served in World War II.

"He's told me a lot about his experiences during the war," said Kallis. "I have a great respect for all veterans and everything they did for our freedom."

There was a tie for third place between senior Melanie Martin and Bellmar sixth grader Rebekah Latham. Each of the four finalists received a $100 savings bond and a certificate of appreciation.

"Doing this project made me realize how much people have done for our country," said Martin, "and how much people were involved locally and nationally to keep our country free."

Vietnam veteran Ron Berger stated that 30 of the participants were from Bellmar.

"I thought it was great that Bellmar demonstrated such a willingness to be involved in their community," he said.

According to Bellmar principal Steven Russell, credit for student participation at Bellmar goes to industrial art teacher Randy Kozura.

"I took the idea to the area it applied," said Russell. "It fit into the curriculum. Mr. Kozura is very open to suggestions and projects for the community. From him I got acceptance and a willingness to do the project. That resulted in the number of students who participated from our school."

Washington Township has erected a flag on the property that is designated as the community memorial park. The flag was donated to the township by the youngest member of the committee, resident Dan Atkinson, who served in the United States Navy during the Persian Gulf.

As he, too, thanked the students for their participation, Atkinson added, "It's reassuring to know there are young people who realize people fought and died for the freedom of this country."

Atkinson is joined on the committee by his father, Dave, also a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam era.

"The next step is to work with Josh Cramer as much as possible to make a few changes in his design or to come up with a way to figure the cost," said Dave Atkinson, committee chairman. "We have about $14,000 to start with, and we have no idea what the cost of the project will be."

Fund-raising plans will be under way in the near future, he explained. One thing the committee is considering is selling bricks to residents and businesses in the community.

"I really want to thank the supervisors for their efforts to get this project off the ground. Also veterans John Zdronsky and Rich Radock for what they have done to get the idea started," said Dave Atkinson.

Many communities are working to memorialize their veterans in variety of ways. Washington Township is getting assistance from Fayette County Veterans Affairs director Lee Knox.

For more information on the memorial project, or to volunteer, call the township at 724- 929-6333.