Muncy Historical Society

08/18/2026

Warrensville Comunity Church hosted a Quilts of Valor presentation by the Vintage Gatherers Quilters for eight of their members ...

Dionna Bennett. Ms. Bennett joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in Johnstown, PA in February 2001 – just seven months before the September 11 attacks, known as “9/11”.
Deployed in 2003 – 2004 to Kosovo, Ms. Bennett was a member of the military police with the 28th Infantry Division – charged with the responsibility of providing security and the protection of US military personnel and guarding detainees housed in the Camp Bondsteel Detention Center. The detainees were Afghans who worked for or supported the U.S. after the Taliban took over Afghanistan.
Ms. Bennett servied in the US Army, 2001-2009.

Richard Confer. Drafted in 1963, Mr. Confer found himself stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado with the 77th Armor Division. During his two years of active service, he stayed stateside … serving in Colorado, the Yakima Firing Center in Washington state, to the Mohave Desert in Arizona, to Ohio.
Shortly after receiving orders for deployment to Vietnam, the order was aborted, and Mr. Confer, a member of a tank crew, remained stateside.
Mr. Confer served in the US Army, 1963-1965.

Archie Epler. Mr. Eppler served in the US Army, 1960-1965, with all five years stationed in Mannheim, Germany. During his tenure he served in a clerical role – handling and processing classified documents… maintaining administrative control measures which included records of internal distribution, access, generation, inventory, and disposition. As a classified documents clerk, Mr. Eppler was personally responsible for protecting the classified information that crossed his desk.

V. Gail Epler. Mrs. Eppler was assigned an administrative role and served stateside at Lackland AFB, TX, Randolph AFB, TX, McGuire AFB, NJ, and Travis AFB, CA and at Lindsey AFB, Wiesbaden, Germany. Serving in the US Air Force, 1958-1968, Mrs. Eppler was responsible for executive support processes with a thorough knowledge of policies and procedures to help the US Air Force maintain efficiency and mission success.

David Hager. Mr. Hagar enlisted with the US Army and was sent to school to learn map printmaking. Since the government had placed civilians in that role, Mr. Hager was reassigned to the message center at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. There he was responsible for printing military orders, brochures, and correspondence – with top security clearance, he handled all the confidential messages and orders for battlefield groups.
Mr. Hager served 1957 to 1960.

Jeffrey Horn. In 1986 Mr. Horn began his military service with the 25th Infantry Division. Following his active service commitment, he joined the 402nd Field Artillery Brigade as a reservist. In late 1990 the 402nd was put on high alert and told to prepare for Operation Desert Storm … by January 1991 Mr. Horn found himself deployed to Saudi Arabia with the 402nd Military Police Battalion.
As part of a military police unit, Mr. Horn guarded one of the prisoner-of-war compounds … prisoners who either surrendered in hopes they would be offered homes outside of Iraq and prisoners who were Iraqi War soldiers.
Mr. Horn's served in the US Army, 1986 – 1992.

Diana Stroble. Diana Stroble began her career with the US Air Force in 1999 and served in stateside military medical facilities in Idaho, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia, New Mexico, New Jersey and Missouri.
She was deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005 – to that trauma and critical care unit at Balad Air Force Theater Hospital.The Balad AFTH, formerly the biggest hospital in Iraq, was a Level-III trauma center, which is equivalent to a Level-I trauma center in the U.S. All sick and wounded service members that required evacuation to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany passed through Balad … the primary resuscitation bay was often the first bay to receive the most critically wounded patients.
Ms. Stroble served in the U.S. Air Force 1999 – 2023.

Gary Witmer. Mr. Witmer joined the Marines in 1961, finished his basic training at Parris Island, and afterwards was sent to Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. Although trained as a rifleman, Mr. Witmer’s skill as a mechanic proved more essential for stateside base camp duty. As a result, he remained stateside while other members of the 2nd Battalion were deployed during the Cuban Missile Crisis. This deployment was called by President Kennedy following his ultimatum that Soviet offensive missiles be removed from Cuba.
Mr. Witmer served his county in both active and reservist duty, 1961 - 1967.

08/14/2026

The Vintage Gatherers Quilters have awarded four more Quitls of Valor ...

Donald Farrer. Mr. Farrar served as an active US Army soldier 1966-1968 and inactively 1968-1972. He did his basic training at Fort Dix and upon completion, he was deployed to Okinawa for 1 ½ years. Kadena Air Base is the hub of airpower in the Pacific -- a world-class combat team ready to fight and win from the Keystone of the Pacific.
While at the Air Base, he served with the 175th Ordnance, a unit of the U.S. Army focused on munitions and ordnance management. The 175th played a crucial role in logistics, ensuring the safe storage and distribution of ammunition and contributed to regional security and stability in the Asia-Pacific area. They supported U.S. military operations during the Vietnam War era, enhancing logistical capabilities, and the 175th Ordnance played a key role in ensuring operational readiness for deployed forces.

John Hoffmaster. The mission of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 28th Infantry Division coordinates logistics, plans missions, and ensures effective communication among subordinate units. As part of the Army National Guard, the division also plays a vital role in community support, participating in disaster response and recovery efforts, which reinforces its commitment to national defense at the local level. The 28th plays a vital role in community support, participating in disaster response and recovery efforts and can be called to active duty during emergencies.
While serving in the US Army from 1969 to 1991, Mr. Hoffmaster was called out during the 1972 Hurricane Agnes Flood and again in 1975 for Hurricane Eloise. He was activated during the 1974 trucker strike on In-terstate 80, the 1977 Johnstown flood, and following the tornado that hit Allenwood in 1985.

James Pysher. D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment played a significant role during the Vietnam War as part of the 25th Infantry Division. Activated in the mid-1960s, the unit was equipped with helicopters and specialized in aerial reconnaissance, air assault, and support missions – fire support and troop transit -- across the challenging terrain of Vietnam. D Troop operated the highly agile, four bladed helicopter used for observation, target acquisition and scouting. The unit’s scouts, often flying at treetop level, were among the most at-risk personnel, drawing enemy fire to expose hidden positions for follow-up strikes. 68% of the light helicopters used by the US Army were destroyed in Vietnam.
The Cu Chi Base Camp was near, and in some cases, above the Cu Chi Tunnels. The tunnels in and around Cu Chi proved to be a source of frustration for the U.S. military in Saigon; the tunnels allowed North Vietnamese fighters in that area to survive which helped prolong the war and increases U.S. costs and casualties. Stationed at Cu Chi during his deployment to Vietnam 1968-1969, Specialist Pysher saw a Viet Cong “come out of nowhere” – out of the Cu Chi tunnels!
Specialist 4 technician repaired power-generation equipment – troubleshooting, adjusting, and repairing portable diesel/gasolene generators, compressors, and electrical distribution lines -- diesel generators, load banks, control panels, and frequency converters. As a technician, Mr. Pysher also managed power and repair for radios, lighting, and specialized equipment at Cu Chi base camp.
Mr. Pysher was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars signifying that he participated in three designated military campaigns during the Vietnam War.

David Bonus. Seabees are the US Navy's construction force, building bases and airfields, conducting underwater construction, and building roads, bridges, and other support facilities. They are forward deployed around the world to provide engineering and construction support while promoting regional stability and improving lives through engineering civic action projects in many countries. Seabees today deploy all over the world in support of the US Navy in peacetime and during war.
Mr. Bonus received his heavy equipment operator training at Gulfport, Mississippi, a Naval Construction Battalion Center where he learned to operate heavy transportation and construction equipment -- trucks, bulldozers, backhoes, graders, forklifts, cranes and asphalt equipment.
Seabees primarily serve at shore-based command, and Mr. Bonus' homeport was at Port Hueneme, CA. He was deployed to Guam where he familiarized himself with equipment and took inventory; he found himself in Adak, Alaska, constructing and resurfacing roads, digging pipe culverts and waterways for spawning salmon as part of a humanitarian project; then to Honduras where the assignment was both humanitarian and military – projects like digging ammo bunkers and constructing new roads; then after receiving appropriate security clearances, Mr. Bonus was sent to Camp David, Maryland to install service utilities for the structures located there.; then deployd to Puerto Rico, again building roadways on the island. Back to his homeport in California, Mr. Bonus spent a four-week stint building the 1st Fleet Hospital there.
Mr. Bonus' service with the Seabees, US Navy 1984-1990.

07/17/2026

Celebrate St. Joseph's Center with WNEP and Go Joe 29 - when Joe Snedeker takes to the highways and byways of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania!

This year's theme: Red, White and YOU! Celebrating America 250! Joe will begin in the birthplace of our nation, Philadelphia, and bike in and through NE & Central Pennsylvania!

On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Joe will be winding his way from Turbotville to Montgomery to Muncy … arriving between 10-10:30 a.m. with his planned stop in front of the Muncy Historical Society, 40 N. Street.

Come out, line the streets and applaud him on this, his 29th annual bike ride for charity.

Let’s give him a warm Muncy welcome!!

06/20/2026

06/20/2026

Flag Day, June 14, 2026 at Messiah Lutheran Church in S. Williamsport was the day and location for seven veterans to receive quilts in appreciation of ther military service. Rita Strickler, quilter and member of Messiah Lutheran, and Katherine Folmer, an intern with the Muncy Historical Society, assisted with the quilt presentations.

A. Bruce Amme. As an Infantry Chaplain, Pastor Amme provided religious support and advised on matters of religion, ethics, and morale to build strong, ready teams to deploy, fight, and win our Nation’s wars; investing in People, connecting them in spirit, and cultivating community across joint and multidomain theater of operations. Although stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, Pastor Amme also served at McCoy, Wisconsin and was part of Campaign Reforger – an exercise to ensure that NATO had the ability to quickly deploy forces to West Germany in the event of a conflict with the Warsaw Pact. Pastor Amme served with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1975 to 1978.

Alfred Cole. Mr. Cole was assigned to Transportation units – first as a “road runner" with the 78th Transportation Company, 106th Transportation Battalion, stationed in Russelsheim, Germany. As a rigger, Mr. Cole used cranes and lifts to help transport heavy equipment, machinery, or large heavy cargo such as manufacturing equipment or construction machinery -- fastening large loads and moni-toring, overseeing and directing the operators of the transport equipment; reporting any arising issues and ensuring that completed orders are well documented. Mr. Cole was next assigned to the 2nd Airborne, 602nd Maintenance Division at Fort Hood, MD as a driver and member of a load and rigger crew. He served in active and reserve duty, 1979-1986.

Carl Gee. As a USAF crew member, Mr. Gee served as loadmaster of the C-5A – a large military transport aircraft with a heavy intercontinental-range strategic airlift capability. Mr. Gee secured aircraft load or offload palletized cargo loads, the loading and offloading of passengers, cargo inspections prior to loading, opening or closing aft cargo doors, and inspecting and inventorying tie-down equipment. HIs Air Force career spanned the period 1971 – 1983. Serving stateside, he spent time at Loring AFB, Maine, Dover AFB, DE, Dobbins AFB, GA, Shaw AFB, SC, and Griffiss AFB, NY as a civil engineer and loadmaster.

Fred Harbaugh. The USS America was bound for "Yankee Station", off the coast of Vietnam. For 112 days, USS America's aircraft pounded at roads and waterways, trucks and waterborne logistics craft, hammered at petroleum storage areas and truck parks and destroyed bridges and cave storage areas in the attempt to impede the flow of men and war materials to the south. The USS Independence operated in the North Atlantic until the Middle East went into crisis. The Independence was put on standby in case U.S. military protection was needed for the evacuation of U.S. citizens and as a counterbalance to the Soviet Union's Mediterranean fleet.
The USS Forrestal was the United States first completed super-carrier, and she served for nearly four decades in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific.
Mr. Harbaugh served all three ships – working on their flight decks overseeing the safe and efficient launch of aircraft; managing the landing of aircraft; directing aircraft movements on the deck to prevent collisions; enforcing safety measures and procedures to protect personnel and equipment; and maintaining clear communication with pilots and ground crews for effective operations. He was also in charge of shop where electronic equip-ment was rebuilt.
Mr. Harbaugh served in the US Navy, 1967-1977.

William Reasner. The USS Corporal was a submarine that conducted training and joined in large-scale fleet exercises in the Atlantic and Southern Caribbean. Through 1958 and 1959, she operated frequently in ordnance tests and – she cruised widely along the east coast, the Gulf, and Southern Caribbean chasing USSR submarines and trollers off the coast of Cuba and the east coast of America.
Mr. Reasner served as its stern controller and camera operator -- monitoring and controlling the submarine's propulsion and steering systems; operating and adjusting the camera equipment for optimal underwater visibility; coordinating with the crew to ensure safe navigation and maneuvering; recording and analyzing video footage for mission documentation and review; communicating real-time data and observations to the command team; and conducting routine maintenance checks on both control systems and camera gear.
Mr. Reasner served in the US Navy from 1957-1960.

Diana Rooker. Ms. Rooker joined the US Army in June 1969. Following basic training she was assigned to the William Beaumont Army Medical Center, a Department of Defense medical facility located in Fort Bliss, Texas. The center provided comprehensive care to active duty military, their family members, and retirees. It was here that Ms. Rooker learned trauma care and emergency medicine, assisting medical professionals in providing healthcare services. Stationed in El Paso, Ms. Rooker started LPN school, preparing her for acute care, long term care, home health, and ambulatory care.
Ms. Rooker served in the US Army, 1969-1970.

Paul Weaver. The Lockheed Starlifter is designed for transporting large quantities of either cargo – vehicles, materials, weaponry, or personnel over long distances. This allows commanders to bring items into a combat theater from a point on the other side of the planet, if necessary. As an instrument systems technician on the Starlifter aircraft, Mr. Weaver was responsible for troubleshooting and inspecting all instruments for damage and wear; testing electrical connections and wiring; calibrating instruments; replac-ing faulty components to maintain reliability; and documenting all repairs and adjustments. As a skilled repairman, Mr. Weaver was chosen to work on “hot streaks” – the term used when aircraft take-off in rapid succession. Mr. Weaver served in the US Air Force, 1981-1991.

06/17/2026

Vintage Gatherers Quilters presented two Quilts of Valor at the Muncy Historical Society's Annual Quilt Show on Saturday, June 13, 2026

Elwood Loudenslager. Seventeen-year-old Elwood Loudenslager enlisted with the US Marines in June 1967. He was assigned to units that deliver essential combat service support to sustain deployed Marine air-ground task forces. This support includes supply chain management for materiel and equipment, maintenance and repair services,and transportation operations across air, sea, and land domains. During his three years in military service, Mr. Loudenslager was de-ployed to Vietnam and Okinawa, as well as being stationed stateside at Camp Pembleton, CA, Beaufort, SC, Camp Le Jeune, NC, and other US Marine bases.

Robert Lyn Bennett. Mr. Bennett was deployed to Vietnam with the 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 33rd Artillery. The 1st Infantry was officially nicknamed "The Big Red One". During his deployment … one of the largest airborne operations of the Vietnam War, Operation Junction City involved a massive effort to destroy the Viet Cong's Central Office for South Vietnam. Operation Manhattan aimed to clear the area of Viet Cong forces and to destroy their infrastructure. During Operation Shenandoah II, the division focused on securing the strategic “Thunder Road," from the Viet Cong. Despite facing ambushes and intense combat, the division succeeded in its mission, showcasing the resilience and bravery of its troops.
Mr. Bennett served as a 105 mm Howitzer Gunner – Gunners set quadrants and deflections, re-level and adjust the howitzer with high proficiency to safely and accurately engage the enemy. Unfortunately, as is Mr. Bennett’s case, being exposed to loud gunfire resulted in total deafness in one ear. Mr. Bennett served in the US Army, 1966-1968, followed by four years inactive reserves.

06/08/2026

Three veterans awarded quilts - Sunday, June 7 at Muncy Presbyterian Church by members of the Vintage Gatherers Quilters, a group with the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

Rey James Kline. serving in the US Air Force, 1967 to 1971 With his training completed, Mr. Kline was on his way to Clark AFB, Philippines with the 1st Mobile Communications Group. The 1st Mobile Communications Group was charged with the overt and covert installation of much of the communications equipment required in Southeast Asia. His final 18-month commitment was spent at Langley AFB, Maryland where he served as controller of all communications with the 1913th Communications Squadron.

Robert Morgan, serving in the US Navy 1966 to 1970. Mr. Morgan served aboard the USS Caddo Parish in his 13-month deployment to Vietnam. As an electrician’s mate his duties included the operations of the ship’s electrical power generation systems, lighting systems, electrical equipment and electrical appliances; maintenance on power circuits, fixtures, motors and generators; and rebuilding electrical equipment. He was transferred to the USS Agile, a ship classified as a minesweeper – acquired by the USS Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

Edward Souter, serving in the US Army. Deployed to Vietnam in January 1967 Mr. Souter was in-country when his division was engaged in one of the Vietnam War´s most ferocious fights. The battle claimed 64 American lives - this bloody battle was just one of the staggering losses during the Vietnam War. As Bravo infantryman, his mission took him into close proximity with enemy forces on foot, to seize and hold terrain. His search-and-destroy missions in the jungle exposed him to the dangers of b***y traps, disease, and relentless enemy fire. While on patrol on November 9, 1967, Mr. Souter was wounded. He was removed from Vietnam, transported first to Japan and then on to Valley Forge Hospital, Valley Forge, PA. This purple heart recipient receives VA benefits for his wounds and exposure to Agent Orange.

06/07/2026

FEED SACK COLLECTION OFFERED AT THIS YEAR'S FABRIC SALE!!! PRICED TO SELL ... JUST A SAMPLING ...
JUNE 12, NOON TO 6 PM; JUNE 13, 9 AM TO 3 PM

06/07/2026

THS FABRIC SALE IS BACK -- JOIN US ON jUNE 12 & 13 ... PACKAGED AND PRICED TO SELL!!!
21ST ANNUAL QUILT & TEXTILE SHOW
HOSTED BY THE MUNCY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
LOCATION - MYERS ELEMENTARY, 125 NEW STREET, MUNCY

05/24/2026

The Vintage Gatherers Quilters, in partnership with the Muncy Historical Society, recognized two veterans who were members of Muncy's 1966 graduaton class. The presentations were made on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

Charles 'Chip' Pfleegor. To fly the F-4 Phantom, there were training classes in formation flying, basic fighter maneuvers, aerial combat maneuvering, bombing theory, weapons delivery, nuclear weapons, combat mission planning, electronic warfare and countermeasures, and weapons computer delivery system; learning information about all the unclassified systems of the Phantom; and thoroughly understanding this complex machine. Among which were the ejection seat - rocket-propelled - and the finer points of surviving emergency air and ground egress.
Serving in active duty with the US Navy from 1971 to 1982 with a land-based squadron out of Norfolk, VA and San Francisco, Lt. Commander Charles Downing Pfleegor, was a F-4 pilot. He served aboard the USS Independence, an aircraft carrier, on its scheduled deployment operations in the Mediterranean Sea. He was also stationed aboard the USS Oriskany, also an aircraft carrier, and in September 1976, he was the last US Navy man to step off its deck – the carrier being decommissioned at that time. When on land, Chip was stationed at Oceana Naval Air Base – a master jet base, Virginia Beach, Pensacola, Fl, Belleville, IL and Miramar Naval Base, home of the Navy’s Top Gun Flight School, San Diego, CA.
Chip Pfleegor served in active service from 1971 to 1982 and Navy Reserves through 1987.

James Harman. When James Harman arrived in Vietnam he had his first experience with tanks, and experience that led him to volunteer to be part of CAP -- the Combined Action Platoon -- a United States Marine Corps counterinsurgency tool during the Vietnam War. In the midst of a war with millions of combatants, twelve-man squads led by sergeants lived and died in villages amongst thousands of Viet-namese. Their mission: drive out the enemy, protect the villagers and train the farmers to defend themselves.
From 1966 through 1970, patrols of about five Marines and five farmers sneaked through the bush, with no night vision or on-call fires. To survive, they relied on stealth and pulling back when incoming fire was too intense. The peril of each night focused every Marine. At its peak, CAP platoons extended across 800 widely scattered hamlets, protecting 500,000 villagers.7 This was accomplished by 2,200 CAP Marines, three percent of the Marine total force. Those tiny squads, vastly outnumbered and isolated, should have been wiped out. Of the 209 villages protected by CAPs, not one reverted to enemy control. The CAP stands unique in America’s wars, never dupli-cated before or since.
After his 13-month in-country military experience, Jim was assigned military police duties at the Philadelphia Navy Yard which played a significant role in supporting the Vietnam War effort, with US Marines and Navy personnel stationed there for operations, administration, and training. Assigned to military police duties, Jim’s was responsible for base security and guarding nonviolent military inmates.
E-5 James Harman served in the U.S. Marines from 1966 to 1971.