By
PHOTO PROVIDED
This photo shows a project depiction of the POW/MIA Veterans Tribute that is being dedicated on Saturday at the Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall.
This photo shows the siblings of Major Lewis P. Smith II who have been instrumental in creating the POW/MIA Veteran Tribute at the Centre County Grange Encampment Park. The photo, taken during Grange Fair 2016, shows from left, Twins, Georgia Chambers and Georgette Nuss (in the wheelchair), Patti Long, Debbie Burger and Dennis Smith.
CENTRE HALL — The family of the late Major Lewis P. Smith II cordially invites the public to the dedication of the POW/MIA Veterans Tribute area at the Centre County Grange Fairgrounds, 169 Homan Lane, Centre Hall. The formal dedication ceremony is planned for today at 2 p.m.
The siblings of Major Lewis Smith II took on their mission in honor of their brother and to honor all Centre County Veterans, supporting the mission of the fullest possible accounting of all Prisoners of War (POW) and those Missing in Action (MIA).
Smith has been declared as missing in action since May 30, 1968, when the Skymaster aircraft he was piloting was shot down near Chavane, Laos, during the Vietnam War. By placing the memorial monument and markers at the Grange Fairgrounds, all Centre County veterans and those still listed at POW/MIA will be honored and remembered.
Last year, Major Smith’s siblings and their families envisioned a veterans tribute area at the Centre County Grange Encampment Park in Centre Hall, when the fair board planned to erect a flagpole and courtyard area near the equestrian (horse arena/stables) area of the fairgrounds. Work at the memorial area site began with installing a 40-foot American flagpole prior to the 2023 annual Grange Fair.
After some $40,000 in donations came in towards the $80,000 finished project budget, the stone monument and six smaller granite markers were ordered.
Work progressed on the Tribute area earlier this year, where the POW/MIA monument and individual tribute markers for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Space Force are being set.
The Veterans Tribute area dedication ceremony begins at 2 p.m. with Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson serving as the Master of Ceremonies. The guest speaker during the dedication event will be Col. Eugene McFeely. There will be a Missing Man Table and a Quilts of Valor presentation. The Level Best Barbershop Quartet will also take part in the afternoon ceremony that will be held rain or shine.
Bleacher seating is available, but lawn chairs are welcomed as well.
Centre County Grange Fair has been overseeing the financial aspects of the Veteran’s Tribute. Donations are still being accepted by checks being made payable to the Centre County Grange Encampment, PO Box 271, Centre Hall, PA 16828. Be sure to mark POW/MIA Veteran Tribute on the memo line of your check.
