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February 15, 2009 at 9:28 PM

            The DuBois Area Honor Guard presented an emotional program and Agnes McCracken and Rob Peoples were honored by the DuBois Area Historical Society during its annual dinner.

            Seventy-eight people attended  the DuBois Area Historical Society’s 29^th Annual Dinner, Feb. 5 at the DuBois Country Club. DuBois Area Historical Society President Evo Facchine served as master of ceremonies and introduced the guest speaker Mike Skehan of the DuBois Area Honor Guard. Fifteen additional members of the Honor Guard participated in the presentation.

            Skehan explained that the Honor Guard, a non-profit organization, has a long history, both in DuBois and nationally. Many Honor Guard members have served in the U.S. armed forces, but it is not a requirement for membership.

           The Honor Guard conducts ritual service at funerals of eligible veterans as requested by the family. During 2008, the Honor Guard provided service at 50 funerals in an area ranging from as far east as Williamsport, north to Warren, and south to Butler.

            Their presentation included the firing of a rifle salute, a demonstration of the folding of the U.S. flag for presentation to the family, and both a playing of and singing of “Taps.” They explained the origin of “Taps” during the U.S. Civil War.

             The DuBois Area Honor Guard also presents programs explaining their services and what it means to be a veteran during school programs and to other interested groups.

            Agnes McCracken , the Society’s Woman of the Year, was born in Uniontown and became acquitned with DuBOis in many visits to visit her brother, who was employed by the DuBois Country Club. McCracken and her husband, who was originally from Long Island, N.Y., moved to DuBois in 1991.

           Both became volunteers in the genealogy department of the Society in 1993. Agnes continued to volunteer, following the death of her husband in 2005.

            In addition to volunteering with the Historical Society, McCracken has also volunteered with the Red Cross, St. Catherine Church, and DRMC Hospice Unit.

            Rob Peoples, who currently serves on the Society board as the representative for Union Township, moved to Rockton when he was two. He joined the Society in his present position several years ago and has taken an active role in fund raising projects and the Spirit of DuBois Lantern Walk. Being a natural handy man, Peoples also played a big role in the remodeling at the Society Museum for the Veterans Room.

            Peoples is employed as a secondary supervisor for Symco in Sykesville. He visits Symco customers as a consultant for processing Symco products.

            Past recipients of these awards include:  1994 – Todd Thompson; 1995 – E. D. Reitz; 1996 – Marv Bloom and Gail King; 1997 – Diane Bernardo; 1998 – Tom and Virginia Schott; 1999 – Dr. George Nye and Nellie Beer; 2001 – Audrey Lott; 2002 – Beecher Klingensmith and Carol Johnson; 2003 – Dave Beer and Judy Leech; 2004 – Ken Wiser and Barb Emmer; 2005 – Ed and Jerri Watson; 2007 – Evo and Ann Facchine; 2008 – Gene Aravich and Carol Laughlin.

            Rev. Chris Ramsey, DuBois Area Cooperative Lutheran Ministry, delivered the benediction and closing prayer.

            The annual dinner launches the 2009 activities by the Society. Upcoming programs, all at the E.D. Reitz Museum, 28-34 W. Long Ave., DuBois, unless otherwise indicated are:  March 3 – Speaker program, Don Hanzely, “Hanzely Farms, From Fur to Foliage,” 7:30 p.m.; April 23 – Speaker program, Evo Facchine, “History of Opera, Focusing on DuBois,” 7:30 p.m.; May 28 – Speaker program, Galen Kilmer, “DuBois High School Local History Projects,” 7:30 p.m.; September 12 – Third Annual DuBois Area Historical Society Open House, 10 a.m.; October 17 – Second Annual Spirit of DuBois Lantern Walk, 6:30 p.m.; and November 7 – Third Annual DuBois Area Historical Society Luncheon, Speaker, Julie Stewart, “Downtown DuBois Then and Now,” Details TBA.