ERA BOXES: We’re supposed to have a bit of a “thaw” today so how
about doing a favor for your Bradford Era delivery person – shovel
out your newspaper box out so drivers have an easier time getting
to it.
With so much accumulation of snow, it’s been tough for them to
make their normal rounds.
While you’re at it, you might want to shovel out your regular
mailbox, too. Your mail person will thank you.
LOCAL ANGLE: At least a few local people recognized the name (if
not the face) of one of the pathologists involved in investigation
of the death of Anna Nicole Smith.
Dr. Joshua Perper, who at one time was the medical examiner in
Allegheny County, came to Bradford a couple decades ago to autopsy
a body exhumed as part of a murder investigation.
He had done literally thousands of autopsies over the years, and
they had become quite routine. We recall investigators revealing
how Dr. Perper enjoyed a lunch break during the middle of the
autopsy and in the same room with the exhumed body.
IVY DIVISION: John Cummiskey dropped by the other day with the
current edition of VFW magazine, showing us an article about the
Army’s legendary 4th Infantry Division.
The story detailed the division’s participation in four wars,
and John pointed out there were at least two men from Bradford who
served with it during World War II.
Tony Bizzaro of Prendergast Avenue had been a major with the
division, and the late Fred Sweeney had served as a first
lieutenant.
Both men were recipients of the Silver Star and Purple
Heart.
The 4th Infantry Division saw some fierce fighting in World War
II, including in the Normandy Invasion and in the battle in the
Huertgen Forest, Nov. 6-Dec. 7, 1944.
The division also has served in World War I, Vietnam and in the
ongoing war in Iraq.
“I’m sure other McKean County men were in the 4th at one time or
another,” John says.
John tells us he and Sweeney were school mates, graduating from
old St. Bernard High in 1938.
The article notes that this “Iron Horse” or “Ivy” division has a
reputation for being “steadfast and loyal” for 90 years. “And
540,000 soldiers have lived up to that motto through four hot wars
as well as the Cold War and peacetime,” it concludes.
