Albert John Patrillo, Jr. January 19, 1946 – May 19, 1967

If you are able, save for them a place inside of you…and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go…Be not ashamed to say you loved them…

Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own…And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.”

From a letter home by Maj. David O’Donnell.  KIA: 24 March 1970

In 1967, the Vietnam War came home to the close-knit little railroad town of Susquehanna Depot.  On May 19, Albert J. Patrillo, Jr. lost his life in Vietnam and the world suddenly seemed like a much smaller place.

Today marks the 50th anniversary of that tragic day.  Albert grew up on the corner of Vine Street and Franklin Avenue in the West Hill section of Susquehanna with his brothers Tony and Vincent.  Al began his Vietnam tour in August of 1966.  He was the only resident of Susquehanna Borough who was killed in Vietnam.  He was buried in St. John’s Cemetery on Memorial Day in 1967.  His grave is almost directly across from the house at 225 Laurel Street.

According to the U.S. Army official report, Albert was mortally wounded while attacking a heavily fortified bunker complex.  His staff sergeant, Bobby V. Hayslip of Cordele, Georgia was also killed the same day.  Al is remembered as a handsome young man with blond, wavy hair, and “the bluest eyes.”  He was an outdoorsman who did taxidermy and loved to hunt and trap.  His favorite cigarettes were Pall Malls.

Albert Patrillo with his mother Millie

Al’s parents were Albert, Sr. “Cy” and Mildred “Millie.”  Cy was a carman and welder on the Erie Railroad.  He suffered a career-ending injury to his leg when he fell between two boxcars and was dragged in the Susquehanna railyard.  Cy walked with a limp the rest of his life.  Like many women of her generation Millie was a stay-at-home Mom.

Albert and his brothers had chores to do as children and worked hard around the house.  Albert loved to fish and spend time at his Grandma Cordner’s farm near Thompson.  He liked to listen to country music and his best friend in high school was Tim Madigan.  After graduating from Laurel Hill Academy in 1963, Albert went to work and purchased a blue ’57 Ford Fairlane hardtop convertible from Eddie French.  He fixed it up with the help of Ed Trynoski and the Ford became his “pride and joy.”  In 1965, he sold the car to Bill Conklin, who lived on Washington Street and would become a Vietnam veteran himself.

Al was also pretty serious about a local girl from Bear Swamp Road but after being deployed to Vietnam… he would never see her again.  In a twist of fate, Albert’s older brother Vincent was being discharged from military duty at Fort Knox, Kentucky on the day Al was killed in Vietnam.  His younger brother Tony later volunteered for duty in Vietnam and actually met Brian Upright in Tacoma, Washington enroute to southeast Asia.  Before departing, Tony said. “I’ll see you in a year.”  Upright, who lived in Starrucca was later killed in combat.

Albert John Patrillo, Jr. was awarded the Purple Heart, Air Medal, and Silver Star for his actions in Vietnam.*  All gave some.  Some gave all.

Contributors:  Tony Patrillo, Mary Patrillo, Vince Patrillo, Tom Ivey, Larry Fox, Bill Conklin, Joe Bucci, and Toni Dibela.

Special thanks:  Mike Wescott and Gene Stewart.

*Award of the Silver Star: 23 June 1967

Albert J. Patrillo, Specialist Four  U.S. Army Company A 5th Battalion 7th Cavalry

Albert Patrillo’s funeral at McCawlet Funeral Home

For gallantry in action:  Specialist Four Patrillo distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 19 May 1967, while serving with Company A, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry during a search and destroy mission in Quang Nhai Province, Republic of Vietnam.  Specialist Patrillo’s company was following the trail of a wounded Viet Cong sniper when the two platoons became pinned down by intense automatic weapons fire.  Specialist Patrillo’s platoon was sent up a hill with another element with instructions to secure a landing zone at the top.  Upon approaching the summit, the platoon was fired upon by Viet Cong in tree tops and camouflaged bunkers.  Recognizing the danger to his comrades if the enemy proved successful in halting their advance, Specialist Patrillo left his cover and moved against a heavily fortified bunker complex.  Firing his weapon continuously, Specialist Patrillo pressed his determined attack until he was struck and mortally wounded by hostile fire.  His gallant action contributed to the ultimate success of the company in securing the landing zone and evacuating the wounded.  Specialist Patrillo’s display of personal bravery and devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

George W. Casey, Colonel, GS, Chief of Staff.

True Friends Animal Welfare Center located in Montrose, PA is committed to being a no- kill animal shelter.  Since founded in 2011, they have placed over 3,500 homeless animals throughout Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties in loving, forever homes.  The past year though they have been able to expand their efforts and in addition to the hundreds of local animals they have taken in over 150 dogs from overwhelmed shelters forced to euthanize to make space.  Many of these dogs came from Lackawanna County, but also from inner city shelters in New York and New Jersey where the numbers put to sleep every day are devastating.  “It’s heartbreaking for us to see these innocent, loving animals lose their lives simply because there is no room for them.  We are dedicated to helping in any way we can and every time we save a dog from this terrible fate, we are grateful,” stated True Friends Director, Dory Browning.

Recently True Friends received an email from a volunteer at a high- kill shelter located in Brooklyn, NY.  The volunteer was desperately trying to save a dog on the “kill list” named Lucy.  True Friends agreed to take in this very desperate dog.

Pictured is “Lucy” and Animal Advocate, Sasha Kheyfets, Brooklyn, NY arrving at True Friends Animal Welfare Center, Montrose, PA. True Friend's is happy to report Lucy has already been adopted into a loving new home.

When she arrived at our local shelter, the staff couldn’t believe a sweet, loving dog was about to be put to sleep.  “It never fails to shock us, but when we asked how many other shelters she contacted before us, we were astonished to hear over sixty,” Browning said.  The numbers of dogs euthanized every year in shelters is staggering, but there are compassionate, relentless people on the front lines doing their part to prevent it.  True Friends believes what is most important is not to be against an organization because of this, but to unite with them.  Browning remarked, “We have been to shelters where the staff and the volunteers are begging you to take their favorites and it’s heart- wrenching. Most are just as compassionate and dedicated as us, but they are doing the best they can with the overwhelming situation they are in.”  True Friends encourages everyone to do their part by such things as advocating adopting, educating responsible pet ownership, and lobbying stricter animal welfare laws and regulations.  This they know is what is going to bring us closer to preventing euthanasia one animal at a time.

Recently True Friends has been forced to cut down on the amount of dogs they can save.  Their back building kennels, built in the 1980’s, have become so insecure that bungee cords are needed to keep them securely shut.  They are rusted, broken, and rapidly becoming too hazardous to utilize.  They have been working towards raising the funds to replace them with new block kennels and soundproof glass doors.  Throughout the years they have gradually renovated the almost 40-year-old building with a new roof, siding, windows, and lighting.  They even turned the garage into a “living room” for the dogs to enjoy.  True Friends is constantly striving to make their shelter the closest thing to a real home for the animals they care for.

The stress free kennels are the last step in completing the project.  It is, however a great challenge for them to focus on this campaign while every fundraising effort is needed for operational expenses and simply keeping the doors open.  “It’s been a longtime dream to replace these kennels, but now that it is affecting the amount of dogs we can save, it has become incredibly desperate for us,” stated Browning.

The new kennels will cost a total of  $60,000.00 and they presently have $12,000.00 saved.  Your contribution can be mailed to True Friends at 16332 SR 706 Montrose, PA 18801 or made easily on their site, truefriendsawc.com.  Please note it is designated for the New Kennel Fund.  True Friends wants you to know if everyone gave just a little bit of what they can, they will quickly be able to get back on their path of saving hundreds of desperate animals in need of a safe refuge and looking forward to a brighter future.

Since Wayne Memorial Hospital’s Mobile Mammography program began offering services in Carbondale, Hamlin, Vandling and Lake Como on September 25th, more than 50 patients have been screened. “Nineteen of those patients had not had a mammogram with Wayne Memorial in 10 years,” said Imaging Services Manager Rob Brzuchalski CRA, RT, RDMS, “meaning they were ‘new’ patients to the hospital and perhaps some were even new to mammography.”

Pictured left to right with the van in Carbondale are: Bridget Boettcher, manager of the site for the owner Just Believe; James Hockenbury, director WMH Ancillary Services; Tiffany Shaffer, RT (M); WMH CEO David Hoff; Maripat Connor, RT (M); John Cosgrove/AllOne Foundation executive director; Rob Brzuchalski; Jean Simonton/AllOne Foundation.

The mobile unit is staffed by certified mammography technologists, including Tiffany Shaffer who added, “One patient told us she had not had a mammogram in 17 years but now she would come every year because it was so convenient.” The mobile mammography unit, which offers digital mammography screenings, was funded in part by the AllOne Foundation, the Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the USDA’s Distance Learning & Telemedicine program. For more about the program visit www.wmh.org.

The Triple Cities Ski Club is gearing up for its ski season with lots of trips offered at group rates to Austria at St. Anton am Arlberg, an annual western trip, this year to Snow Basin and Powder Mountain in Utah, two Killington, Vermont trips; Mt. Snow, Vermont; Windham and Belleayre, New York; and Elk Mountain, Pennsylvania. Participants are encouraged to sign up for trips soon as they’re filling up fast. Membership forms can be found on the website.

TCSC, with over 300 members, enjoys discounts at area resorts and access to discounted tickets at places throughout the Northeast through TCSC’s affiliation with the New Jersey Ski and Snowboard Council. Discount days and tickets can be enjoyed at Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Belleayre Mountain, Gore Mountain and many places in New England.

“Being a member of TCSC has made skiing more fun and taken me places I never dreamed of going on my own,” Darling said. “Where else can you ski with great friends who are advanced and expert skiers, eager to give you tips to improve your skiing?”

Skiers and boarders attend the annual Warren Miller Film to kickoff the ski season and to receive vouchers for free or discounted lift tickets. The film titled, Line of Descent, will be shown at the Broome County Forum in Binghamton, Thursday, November 16, at 7:30 pm and at the Corning Glass Museum Theater, Friday, November 17, at 7 pm. Free lift tickets to the Binghamton showing are at Sugarbush, VT, Smuggler’s Notch, VT, Gore Mountain, NY and Steamboat, CO.  Two-for-one tickets are from Greek Peak Mountain Resort and Swain Resort. Tickets for the Binghamton film can be purchased at Bergers Ski & Snowboard Shop. Lift ticket vouchers are different for the Corning showing and tickets can be purchased at www.swain.com.

TCSC will have an informational booth in the lobbies of the Broome County Forum and the Corning theater where attendees can join the club, receive membership information, receive a list of TCSC trips and a list of New Jersey Ski Council Discounts. Skiers and boarders must be a TCSC member to go on TCSC trips or to enjoy the benefits of the NJSC.

TCSC began in 1965 because a group of male skiers wanted to meet female skiers, so they formed a club. The plan worked. Two years ago, TCSC celebrated its 50th Anniversary and highlighted the nearly 50 couples who’ve met through the club.

TCSC is not just about skiing and boarding. Year round activities include hiking, biking, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, camping, rafting, golfing, picnicking, and meet-to-eats at local restaurants. Members participate in community events, such as the Adopt-a-Highway cleanup. Singles and non-skiers join the club for its many activities and to meet new people.

For more information call Tim Hanna (607) 656-7680 or E-mail or go on the Web at www.TripleCitiesSkiClub.com.

United Way of Susquehanna County (UWSC) is announcing that qualified 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organizations that serve residents of Susquehanna County, PA may submit a Letter of Intent applying for United Way funding for the fiscal year July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019. UWSC’s mission is to “Help Children Do Well” and specifically looks to fund programs that focus on the following areas: academic readiness, mentorship, childhood wellness, family development and stability. In addition, agencies that provide safety net services which provide aid to individuals and families who face an immediate threat to their well-being as a result of a crisis may also apply.

Members of the volunteer Allocation Committee will determine which agency programs best align with our mission and have the greatest likelihood of demonstrating improved quality of life through outcome measurements and demonstrate fiscal responsibility. For those agencies interested in submitting a Letter of Intent, it is mandatory that a representative from the organization attend a training to be held on December 7, 2017 9:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 69 Pratt St., New Milford, PA 18834. RSVP is required by Dec. 1, 2017 by contacting UWSC at 570-465-3868.  We encourage you to refer any interested non-profit organizations to review the Letter of Intent available on our website: unitedwayofsusquehannacounty.org. Letters of Intent are due by January 17, 2018.

Currently UWSC is funding the following agencies: Community Impact - Area Agency on Aging (Foster Grandparent Program), Maternal and Family Health Services (Nurse Family Partnership), Voluntary Action Center (Big Brothers Big Sisters), Women’s Resource Center (Promoting Healthy Relationships for Children and Teens/Raising Awareness of Child Abuse), Susquehanna County Interfaith (Pathway Connections); Safety Net - Area Agency on Aging (Home Modifications), Salvation Army (Emergency Assistance and Summer Lunchbox), Family Service Association (2-1-1), Commission on Economic Opportunity (Fill a Glass with Hope), American Red Cross (Disaster Services), Susquehanna County Interfaith (Emergency and Fuel Assistance), Women’s Resource Center (Crisis and Advocacy Services).

November 5th to November 11th, declared Winter Weather Awareness Week in PA by the National Weather Service (NWS). The media is an important partner in helping the NWS get the word out on dangerous winter storms. We are asking that you highlight the dangers of winter storms and provide winter weather safety tips next week and more importantly, before the next winter storm strikes.

Public Information Statements can be found on our main web site, www.weather.gov/bgm/wwaw You could also find more information on winter safety at: https://www.weather.gov/wrn/winter_safety We will also post information on winter preparedness on our Facebook page which is http://www.facebook.com/NWSBinghamton and Twitter page which is http://www.twitter.com/NWSBinghamton.

For snowfall forecasts including snowfall probability maps, and tables for central NY and northeast PA go to: http://weather.gov/bgm/winter This year's official NOAA Winter Outlook can be found here: https://go.usa.gov/xngVW.

Any questions or if your desire an interview, please contact me. I would be happy to help you. I am also asking you to become a WeatherReady nation ambassador which basically does what I have asked you to do above: educate your employees and the general public on weather hazards. Our office provides the latest safety information for you to pass on via social media, web pages and other ways.

To sign up for this program, go to this website: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/ambassadors.html.

Thanks in advanced for helping us get the word out on winter weather safety to our citizens.