SOME GAVE ALL: It’s still the middle of April, but we’re already looking ahead to one of the more important special annual projects we work on here at The Bradford Era: our Some Gave All edition for Memorial Day.

We want to compile photos and stories of men and women from the area who died in battle or while serving our nation. We are gathering information for Some Gave All, which will be published Memorial Day weekend.

We ask for submissions now because such an undertaking will take a great deal of time and effort on the part of The Era. We also want to give folks time to perhaps locate photos and family records that might tell the story of an ancestor, or more immediate family member, who died in battle or while serving.

Meanwhile, we would also be grateful for any submissions from local historians and others who know of military personnel from the area who made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country.

It does not matter when the death occurred — all submissions are welcome, provided there is a local connection to the deceased.

We also invite area veterans who served in wartime to relate stories of friends or comrades, with whom they served, who were lost in combat or some other deadly circumstance.

Information may be submitted in a variety of ways. Via email, material should be sent to news@bradfordera.com — any attached photos should be original and scanned in high resolution. Photocopied images are not print quality and should not be submitted.

If someone wishes to bring materials to The Era newsroom, it is best to call ahead to ensure that someone will be on hand to scan or copy any information that is submitted. Call the newsroom at 362-6531 after 1 p.m. Monday through Friday to make an appointment.

Materials such as family records or photos will be copied or scanned while one waits; The Era does not wish to have such materials left in the newsroom. Please, do not send original materials in the mail.

Again, the focus of Some Gave All is to honor native sons and daughters of the area who fell in battle or while serving in the military. The Bradford Era, of course, honors ALL veterans who served, but the theme is in keeping with the intent of the observance of Memorial Day. (Keep us in mind when we seek submissions to honor all veterans on Veterans Day in November.)

Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

We hope to hear from you regarding Some Gave All.