HARRY GARVIN: Our inquiries about the school patrols has led us
to wonder who started the annual trips to Washington, D.C., an
obvious thrill for hundreds of young people from Bradford – and
across the country.

Vicki L. Garvin writes us from Centre Hall: “In your column you
asked questions concerning the AAA school patrol program. Ray
Garvin and Jack Van Nette were involved in the program but it was
Mr. Garvin’s father, Harry Garvin, who had a lot to do with the
program in the beginning.”

“The year I went as a chaperone, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Garvin,
Mrs. Mary (Kupper) Imhoff (the trip nurse), Mr. and Mrs. Elmer
Taylor of Taylor’s Photo Shop, and Bob Bamat, one the Pennsylvania
State Troopers, accompanied the buses that went to Washington and
Gettysburg.

“This group of individuals for years volunteered their time to
go. I remember it as being a fun time for the kids and the adults.
It was also special because Rep. Albert Johnson joined the students
at these trips.

“The AAA program was a national program. However, not all of the
groups went to Washington. The purpose of the students going to
Washington was to march in the School Safety Patrol Parade. Early
trips went by train and later trips went by bus. The students were
in Washington several days to do sight seeing as well as to
march.

“Spence remembers the students always looking very sharp in
their uniforms which varied year to year. However, they mostly wore
white duck trousers, safety patrol belts, hats which varied from
year to year, their badges with the patrol logo, and they all
carried their flags.

“For the Garvin family it was almost like having a mini family
reunion, because H. Benton Garvin, Ray’s brother, would always
bring the school patrols from Rhode Island as he was affiliated
with AAA in Providence.”

Jerry Kleisath of Preble, N.Y., writes of his recollection: “I
remember the name Ray Garvin being associated with the school
patrols. I think the AAA sponsored the patrols as I think we had
AAA on our badges.”

“The patrols were all over the county as I worked out of East
Smethport and Farmers Valley schools, both of which were in Keating
Township. There were 4-5 bus loads as I remember from all over the
county. What a great program and wonderful and educational
trip.”