Published: November 08, 2009 11:20 pm      

Vet’s quest realized: Richland to christen Theatre Drive as part of Purple Heart Trail

JOHNSTOWN — A local World War II veteran’s campaign to honor his fallen and injured comrades will come to fruition on Veterans Day.

Theatre Drive will officially become part of the National Purple Heart Trail during a 9 a.m. ceremony on Wednesday near the intersection with Scalp Avenue in Richland Township.

“When I first started this, some thought I was nuts,” 87-year-old Joe Dona of Richland said. “I tried and, eventually, I succeeded.”

The former Navy man started pushing for the tribute more than a year ago, approaching Richland Township supervisors with the request to officially change the name from Theatre Drive to Purple Heart Trail.

Supervisors eventually agreed to add the honorary Purple Heart Trail designation, while maintaining the official Theatre Drive identity for addressing and mapping convenience.

“I was satisfied with that,” Dona said.

Theatre Drive seemed the perfect location because it passes Kiwanis Memorial Park to Veterans and intersects with Eisenhower Boulevard, named for former president and World War II commanding Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Dona gathered letters of support from the East Hills Kiwanis Club, Johnstown and Windber Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, Richland American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans post and his Purple Heart veterans club.

He also contacted the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA about its Purple Heart Trail program. The symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges and other monuments pays tribute to those who were awarded the Purple Heart medal.

Purple Hearts are awarded to those “wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action,” the organization’s Web site says.

Richland’s Purple Heart Trail will become the national network’s latest addition.

“That sign they are putting up is going to be nationwide,” Dona said.

One of two Purple Heart Trail signs was erected this week over Theatre Drive near Elton Road. The second was being installed Thursday, but will remain covered until Wednesday’s unveiling.

Veterans’ organizations, the Kiwanis, township and government officials are expected for the brief dedication ceremony. The complete lineup is still being organized, Dona said.

“The (Richland Township) supervisors told me, ‘You get the veterans organizations, and we’ll take care of the politicians,’ ” Dona said.