Paul Kelly, 93, of Hartstown was presented a Quilt of Valor by Collene Munn on August 18, 2019, at the Youth Show Arena on the Crawford County Fairgrounds during the 2019 Agricultural Hall of Fame and Ag Industry Program.
Kelly was drafted at age 18, serving in the Army from October 20, 1944, through August 1, 1946. He completed basic training at Camp Croft, North Carolina, then traveled to Germany aboard the USS George Washington.
Kelly served in the 63rd Infantry as a rifleman, earning the rank of sergeant. He served on the front lines for two months and earned a combat badge.
After the war ended, he remained in Europe, working as a mechanic in the 36th signal outfit as head of the motor pool. A memorable moment in his service as a mechanic was when he and another serviceman drove a wrecker truck from Frankfurt, Germany, to Paris, France. American soldiers detained them overnight, thinking they’d stolen the truck, until they could verify their identity.
Kelly returned to the United States aboard the USS Westminster. When he got home, he discovered he’d lost everything he owned. The car in which he’d stored all his belongings burned in a garage fire.
He then got a job at Greenville Steel Car and farmed. He was well known for raising purebred Suffolk sheep. He showed his sheep at the Crawford County Fair and won ribbons at various fairs and at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. He was Sheep Chairman at the Crawford County Fair for 30 years.
Kelly’s quilt was pieced by Kathy Oaks, quilted by Marcie Finton, and binded by the Pennsylvania Stitchers of Valor.
Kelly and his wife, Ruby, attend my home church, Fallowfield United Methodist. We are all very proud of this fine man’s service to our country and the Atlantic community.
If you’re a music lover, head over to Fallowfield United Methodist Church on Thursday, September 19, at 7 p.m. Fallowfield is hosting the Western Pennsylvania Conference United Methodist Ministers’ Chorus in a sacred concert.
The Western Pennsylvania Conference United Methodist Ministers’ Chorus includes United Methodist Minsters and their spouses throughout the Western Pennsylvania Conference. The chorus began more than 60 years ago and has sang regularly since. Originally there was a Ministers’ Male Chorus and a Women’s Ministers’ Chorus. But in October, 2003, the choruses merged.
They perform eight concerts per year, under the direction of the Reverends Stephen Morse and Arnie McFarland. There is no admission charge, but a freewill donation will be accepted.
If you have questions, please call the Reverend Larry Corner, pastor of Fallowfield United Methodist Church, at (814) 382-6137.
And if you’d like a delicious meal, there will be a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, September 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Fallowfield United Methodist. The meal includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread, beverages, and homemade pie. Freewill offerings will be accepted and the money will be used to help needy people in the Atlantic community.
All God’s blessings to you this week.