Pennsylvania XXXV

I have posted from Bedford before and you can find that post elsewhere on this site. I returned because I learned that an addition was made to the existing memorial.

The addition is a tribute to Robert Hartsock. He was a dog handler who in an act of unimaginable courage and love threw himself on a satchel bomb to protect others. He survived the blast and lay down additional fire to protect his comrades. He died while still firing his weapon. His dog, Duke, died along side him.

 

 

This, alone is quite a story, but as I started reading up on him, it became even more interesting.

It seems West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania all claim he is a native son.. It does seem that he went to Everette High School near Bedford, at least according to the local newspaper. I have been unable to determine where he was actually born.

 

 

The statue sits in the Bedford Veterans Grove directly across from the courthouse, on Julianna Street, in Bedford.

 

 

One of the reasons it was placed where it was is that the town realized that many visitors walked up to the existing memorial and then walked on, they never looked at the back where many names are listed.

One of the more interesting features of the monument is the circular impressions on its base. Vietnam veterans from the area were asked to come and put their thumbprints in the design. I have never seen anything quite like this in a memorial before.

A film was made about Bob Hartsock called Forgotten Heroes: The Robert Hartsock Story (2019) - IMDb , that you can find several places on the internet, including obviously IMDb above.

Robert Hartsock was awarded the Medal of Honor, the only dog handler to ever receive the nation's highest military honor.

Next time, on the 1st of October, we will return to Virginia. Meet me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

To see additional memorials from Pennsylvania, or any other state, please click the state name on the left side of this page.

Pennsylvania XXV

Returning from a trip to the Shanksville 911 memorial site, I stopped in Bedford, Pa to grab a bite. While sitting in the restaurant I notices a sign on the wall that seemed to be about a Vietnam memorial. It was announcing the dedication of an addition of a statue to the existing memorial later in the year.

Intrigued, I looked up where the existing memorial was located and found that it was only a couple of blocks away.

It sits in Veterans Grove on the grounds of the Bedford County Court House among a number of other memorials.

Located on the corner of Juliana and  Penn Streets it is easy to find.

From the street side the view is this statement of honor and support for all who served.

The reverse lists the 21 from Bedford County lost to our efforts in 'Nam.

 The brick field behind is nearly full of dedication bricks to various individuals who served.

The circle at the base of the "V" at the end of the brick field will eventually be the resting place of a statue of the Robert Hartsock, the only military dog handler to ever be a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

The statue will debut on March 28th, 6 to 9pm at the Bedford Elks and will be placed at a later date.

If you are interested call Dennis Tice at 814-623-1771 for more details.

Next time, on the 25th, we will return to Virginia, so, as always meet me there at 9:00am.

To see additional memorial s from Pennsylvania, or any other state, please click the state name on the left side of this page.