(peaceful music) - My father-in-law served in World War II in the Navy, and he was one very, very lucky fella.

Their ship got torpedoed off the coast of Iceland.

If it wouldn't have been for passing freighter, he would not have come back home.

(peaceful music continues) Originally, the the first Union County World War II Honor Roll looked just like this, and it was down in Lewisburg by the federal building where the post office is at in Lewisburg.

And unfortunately, they made it outta wood.

And after a period of time it deteriorated and it was torn down.

A fellow by the name of Drew Machamer, who was a good friend of my father-in-law, said, "You know, Al, I got an idea.

"I'd like to bring back "the Union County World War II Honor Roll, "like what we had many years ago "but I wanna make a permanent one."

It was a major undertaking, getting all the names verified going through the VA, churches, schools family records and so forth.

And even after that, after the monument was built, some folks came forward then with records to prove that their family members served in World War II.

All those names were added later on.

2,260 folks served in World War II from our small little county, Union County and all their names are on the monument.

Two of the names that were influential in my life, and my childhood, Alfred Hause here, he was a World War II POW and he's really lucky that he even came home.

Helped cement my feelings about veterans and those still serving.

The other name I would love to point out, is my uncle Kenny, Kenny Pardoe, there we go.

(Doug laughing) He served in also in World War II, mostly in Africa.

And again, was one of the major influences with me.

Also, one of the reasons that I support the USO.

He said even though we were, you know, serving wherever we were at we always knew there was people thinking of us.

He said, "We always knew that we weren't forgotten."

We have all the, not only the flags above us but we acknowledge all the five branches of the service and also on the monument we pay tribute to Vietnam, Korea, the War on Terror is on the end.

That was something that my father-in-law really wanted to make sure it got done.

(upbeat music) These folks laid their lives on the line and there's over 50 names on this monument of ones that did not come home.

They gave their lives, you know, the ultimate sacrifice.

And every year at our ceremony we always read their names off, reaffirming that respect.

Kenneth M. Long.

Robert J. Mallard.

(bugle playing) (guns firing) (upbeat music continues) - The Memorial Bricks, they're fundraisers to help maintain the monument.

The Medal of Honor winner George Ramer, he was killed in action in Korea.

There's a number of folks here that family members, friends.

Of course, a very strong relationship that I have with my father-in-law is what got me involved with the program and our benefit that we that we do for the VA home.

The very first year that we did a benefit, we actually did it for the Wounded Warriors of Pennsylvania and also the USO.

I have a really good friend who lives now down in the Carolinas, who was a Vietnam vet.

He sent an email back to me and said, "Look closer to home."

You got veterans in your own backyard that you can help.

And I just started looking for different organizations that were veteran related in Pennsylvania and eventually stumbled on to the VA homes.

The closest one for us is Hollidaysburg.

Several of the residents I know 'em on a first name basis when we walk in the door and the residents will even get up.

And as we're bringing things in and give us a thank you, thank you for everything you're doing for veterans.

- I'm glad we're in Mifflinburg.

Glad that's where they put it.

My husband that did it.

And they've done really good job keeping it nice.

- [Doug] It's right here in the community park.

Swimming pools right here.

The Little League was right over my right hand shoulder.

There was a young fellow that even came up and looked for his great grandpa's name.

(upbeat music continues) The veterans just really appreciate seeing that multi-generational theme going.

To support our veterans in those still serving.

(upbeat music continues)