WAR DEAD: We recently carried a column about some of the McKean
County servicemen killed in the two world wars.
Another name today – Cpl. Ralph E. Bradybaugh who was born Oct.
20, 1922, at East Kane, was educated in East Kane School and
graduated from Kane High School in 1942.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army on Jan. 22, 1943, and entered
training at New Cumberland, Md., later to Miami Beach, Fla.
He sailed for England on Dec. 31, 1943, from Camp McKall, N.C.
He served in the invasion of Normandy and the Holland campaign. He
was instantly killed while defending Bastogne against a strong
attack by the enemy.
Last word was received from him Dec. 17, 1944, written in France
while serving under Commanding Officer R.A. Ballard.
A message from the War Department dated Jan. 17, 1945, stated:
“Your son, Cpl. Ralph E. Bradybaugh, was killed in action in
Bastogne, Belgium, Jan. 3, 1945.”
Funeral services were conducted at the Hill Funeral Home, Dec.
9, 1948, with the Rev. Sherman Epler, pastor of the Methodist
Church, officiating. The Veterans of Foreign Wars gave full
military honors and burial was in the Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Our thanks to Virginia B. Abbott of Port Allegany who has
suggested we add Cpl. Bradybaugh to our previous list.
TRAFFIC TIME: Margie Holland of Bradford, who was a driver’s ed
teacher in the Bradford School District and still instructs class
for drivers 55 and older, gives us some new information about
crossing the streets safely.
She writes, “I read with interest your comments about
pedestrians. It appears the people in Bradford do not know the
rules for crossing at a traffic light.”
“Here is some info from PA Drivers Manual: Pedestrians must
cross, and have the right of way at traffic signals when the light
is green in their direction. If both motor vehicles and pedestrians
have a green light (happens at Main and Congress and Main and
Mechanic), the pedestrian has the right of way. Vehicles do not
have to stop for pedestrians when the pedestrian has a red light.
Also, pedestrians have the right of way at intersections even if
there is no crosswalk.
“When driving on Main Street, it is important for motorists to
be alert and expect pedestrians. This means driving slower!
Everyone seems to always be in a hurry these days.”
