Receding from view: Aging veterans organizations struggle to draw fresh recruits
Brian C. Rittmeyer | TribLive
Army veteran Frank Svikek has been commander of the American Legion post in Brackenridge for 10 years. From once having more than 1,000 members, the post now has about 400. “The older World War II guys, they’ve been passing on. We’ve been struggling a bit. Nobody really has an answer,” he said.
Brian C. Rittmeyer | TribLive
Lee Johnson, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Army, has been commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Lower Burrell for nine years. He points to a large plaque bearing the names of the post’s life members; those with black tape at their bottoms indicate those who have died.
Joe Napsha | TribLive
Air Force veteran Tom Pastor, the adjutant at American Legion Post 981 in South Greensburg, talks about the challenges of maintaining membership in the organization.
Quincey Reese | TribLive
Joshua Gongaware, 42, of Salem’s Slickville neighborhood, participates in the color guard during a ceremony to dedicate the honor roll monument honoring local World War I and II soliders at Murrysville Community Park on Saturday. The monument was moved to the park from a small piece of property at the intersection of Old William Penn Highway and Sardis Road.
Quincey Reese | TribLive
Michael Jackson, 79, of Export, salutes during the dedication of the honor roll monument honoring local World War I and II soldiers at Murrysville Community Park on Saturday. The monument was moved to the park from a site near the intersection of Old William Penn Highway and Sardis Road.
Quincey Reese | TribLive
Veterans salute during the dedication of the honor roll monument honoring local World War I and II soldiers at Murrysville Community Park on Saturday. The monument was moved to the park from a site near the intersection of Old William Penn Highway and Sardis Road.
Quincey Reese | TribLive
Attendees bow their heads for a prayer during the dedication of the honor roll monument honoring local World War I and II soldiers at Murrysville Community Park on Saturday. The monument was moved to the park from a site near the intersection of Old William Penn Highway and Sardis Road.
Quincey Reese | TribLive
The honor roll monument honoring local World War I and II soldiers is dedicated at Murrysville Community Park on Saturday. The monument was moved to the park from a small piece of property near the intersection of Old William Penn Highway and Sardis Road.
Quincey Reese | TribLive
David Sievert, 62, of Delmont, bows his head during the dedication of the honor roll monument honoring local World War I and II soldiers at Murrysville Community Park on Saturday. The monument was moved to the park from a site near the intersection of Old William Penn Highway and Sardis Road.
Quincey Reese | TribLive
A veteran salutes during the dedication of the honor roll monument honoring local World War I and II soldiers at Murrysville Community Park on Saturday. The monument was moved to the park from a site near the intersection of Old William Penn Highway and Sardis Road.
