We Remember: Service to State and Nation (2022)

May 23, 2022 - November 14, 2022

American Civil War| World War I | World War II | Vietnam War | Global War on Terror

Past and present Members of the Senate of Pennsylvania took a solemn oath to be the voice of their constituents, as well as to defend and protect our country as servicemen and women of the United States Armed Services. Whether in the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Air National Guard or National Guard, they bravely pledge their lives to protect this Nation.

“We Remember” pays tribute to Senators who served in the military and participated in the conflicts listed above. Starting with the American Civil War (1861-1865), Captain William E. Miller fought with such valor he received a Medal of Honor for heroism while disobeying direct orders at Gettysburg. Lieutenant Colonel William Penn Lloyd was also saw action in the Civil War. Although he did not receive a Medal of Honor, Lloyd was involved in thirty major battles which included the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Second Manassas (Bull Run). Lloyd was one of thirty-two former Pennsylvania Senators who were present at Antietam which is still, the bloodiest single-day battle in American History.

This exhibit also features former Lieutenant Governor Daniel Strickler who played a significant role in both World Wars and the Korean War. Strickler enlisted in the Army National Guard at an early age and quickly ascended the ranks to become the youngest commissioned officer in the Army. Receiving the order to “hold at all costs”, Strickler did not shrink, instead he took command and his unit held their ground during the “Battle of the Bulge” in World War II.

Surviving physical artifacts connect individuals like former Senator Freeman Hankins to the wars abroad. A military flag, presented to the family of former Senator Freeman Hankins for his service in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during WWII, acts to honor the veteran's memory.

In the spirit of tradition, whether rooted in patriotism, family values, a passion for service, or all three, Members also engaged in modern military conflicts including the Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq War, and the current era of Global War on Terrorism. Current Senators, like Senator Devlin Robinson, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2001 to 2005 fought in Nasiriyah, Al-Kut, Baghdad, and Fallujah. Senator Devlin’s unit fought door-to-door to rescue Army POW Jessica Lynch. Other current Members who served in the military, includes Senator Ryan P. Aument, Senator Cris Dush, Senator Doug Mastriano, Senator Bob Mensch, and Senator Gene Yaw.

Please join the Senate Library in honoring these public servants, who in addition to serving their nation, spent years representing the people of Pennsylvania. The Library of the Senate extends a heartfelt thankyou to the Members and their families for their service, as well as their willingness to share it with all who visit the Senate Library. This exhibition is presented by the Library of the Senate of Pennsylvania with collaboration from the Pennsylvania State Archives.

Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform, desert camouflage. Courtesy of Senator Devlin Robinson.
Urban Tactical Pads, U.S. Marine Corps. Courtesy of Senator Devlin Robinson.
Iraqi Flag from Army POW Jessica Lynch Hospital Rescue, U.S. Marine Corps. Courtesy of Senator Devlin Robinson.
Standard-Issue Rucksack, U.S. Marine Corps. Courtesy of Senator Devlin Robinson.
Tactical Assault Vest, U.S. Marine Corps. Courtesy of Senator Devlin Robinson.
Photograph of Senator Devlin Robinson's Battalion in the United States Marine Corps, ca. 2003, Nasiriyah, Iraq. Courtesy of Senator Devlin Robinson.
Photograph of Senator Devlin Robinson on a Humvee, taken in Fallujah, Iraq. Reproduction. Courtesy of Senator Devlin Robinson
Photograph of Senator Ryan P. Aument on a tank in Iraq, ca. 2003, Reproduction. Courtesy of Senator Ryan P. Aument.
Photograph of Master Sergeant Cris Dush working at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Courtesy of 193rd Special Operations Wing.
United States Air Force Semi-Formal Dress Uniform. Courtesy of Senator Cris Dush.
United States Army Field Uniform. Courtesy of former Senator John R. Pippy.
Portrait of Senator William Penn Lloyd (seated on the left) & Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 1st Cavalry, Courtesy of Gene Barr
Senator William Penn Lloyd's Model 1832 Foot Artillery Sword made by Ames in Massachusetts, Courtesy of Gene Barr
History of the First Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Cavalry, by Adjutant First Pennsylvania Reserve Cavalry William Penn Lloyd, Courtesy of Gene Barr
William Penn Lloyd's Manual of Bayonet Exercise: Prepared for the Use of The Army of the United States by Commander-In-Chief U. S. Army George B. McClellan, Courtesy of Gene Barr
Diary of William Penn Lloyd events at the Battle of Second Bull Run Reproduction, Wilson Special Collections Library, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Photographs of William Penn Lloyd. Courtesy of Gene Barr
Senator Pam Iovino's Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs Service Flag
Citation from President George W. Bush. Courtesy of Pam Iovino
Photograph of Senator Robert Robbins Graduating West Point Class of 1966
Photograph of former Lt. Governor Daniel Strickler, Sergeant in the 4th Infantry Regiment at Camp near El Paso, Texas, 1916, Pennsylvania State Archives
Photograph of former Lt. Governor Daniel Strickler, Colonel Strickler shaking hands with Pennsylvania governor Edward Martin in Boston, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania State Archives
Photograph of 110th Infantry Division Troops marching down the Champs Elysees, Paris in the Victory Parade, Aug. 29th, 1944
Congressional Medals of Honor, Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Photographs of Captain William E. Miller. Reproduction.
Senator Freeman Hankins's Military Flag
Reproduction photograph of Freeman Hankins in uniform.
Photograph of troop transport boat Aquitania, Courtesy of the Pennsylvania State Archives

Goals

The viewer will be able to identify Members of the Pennsylvania Senate who actively served as well as were involved in major military conflicts throughout the history of our country.
The viewer will recognize that Members of the Pennsylvania Senate came to the legislature with their own unique perspectives, often based on their military service/careers.
The viewer will understand that Members of the Pennsylvania Senate have gone beyond the call of duty, as evidenced by their distinguished careers during their military service.
The viewer will be exposed to the major conflicts involving the United States of America, from the 1860s until the present day. (Specifically, American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq War, and Global War on Terrorism).

Pennsylvania Academic Standards
(History, US History, and Civics and Government) met in whole or in part* by this exhibition

Note: *The text for this exhibition is written (with the exception of field-specific language) for the sixth grade level. For more information on Pennsylvania’s Department of Education Standards, and more related standards, please visit PDE SAS.

Exhibition Team

Megan Martin, Secretary and Parliamentarian of the Senate
Alexandra Acri Barbush, Librarian of the Senate
Martavis Washington, Research & Exhibit Specialist
Donna Wheeler, Record Services Manager, Senate Library
George Soule, Research Services Manager, Senate Library
Jess Rodic, Assistant Secretary of the Senate
Ashley Haldeman, Executive Assistant, Office of the Secretary of the Senate

Democratic Caucus Operations Staff

Helen E. Mabus, Graphics Director

Republican Communications Staff

Todd Krick, Director of Graphic Arts

Senate Print Shop/Digital Production

Chris Keller, Director
Caleb Gordon, Deputy Director

Other Organization and Individuals

The Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee
Jason Wilson, Historian, Capitol Preservation Committee
Jesse Teitelbaum, Director of Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Jason Tully, Legislative Applications Supervisor, LDPC
David Burton, Computer Programmer, LDPC
Robert D. Hill, Military & Industrial History Curator, The State Museum of Pennsylvania
Amy Hammond, Curator, The State Museum of Pennsylvania
Ty Stump, Archivist, Pennsylvania State Archives
Brett M. Reigh, Archivist, Pennsylvania State Archives
Rich Saylor, Archivist, Pennsylvania State Archives
Laura S. Jowdy, CA, Archivist & Historical Collections Manager, Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS)
Senator Devlin Robinson
Senator Cris Dush
Honorable John Pippy
Former Senator Pamela M. Iovino, Executive Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of State
Barbara L. Smotherman, Executive Assistant, Office of the Secretary of State, Pennsylvania Department of State
Julienne A. Bellock, Administrative Assistant, Senator Dush Harrisburg Office
Gene Barr, President and CEO, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
Wilson Special Collections Library, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill