We Remember: Service to the State and Nation (2021)

May 24, 2021 - November 12, 2021

American Civil War. World War I. World War II.
Korean War. Vietnam War. Iraq War. Global War on Terrorism.

Many of those who served in the halls of the Senate of Pennsylvania, as Members or Librarians, served in one of these conflicts. In the United States Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, Pennsylvania National Guard, and Pennsylvania Air National Guard, these brave individuals deployed all over the country and the world to protect the citizens of this nation.

This exhibit honors three Senate individuals who earned our nation's highest honor--the Medal of Honor--for their military service. In the Civil War, Captains John C. Delaney and William E. Miller fought with such valor they received Medals of Honor for heroism at Dabney's Mills and Gettysburg. Following in their footsteps during World War I, Colonel Joseph H. Thompson led a tank attack near Apremont, France and received the Medal of Honor in 1925. The two Medals of Honor on display, an un-awarded, modern medal and a 1904-style medal, represent the casts that would have been received by each of these featured individuals. Along with featured military decorations are official portraits, reproduced and original photographs, and transcribed interviews: all highlighting their service.

While Delaney, Miller, and Thompson are the most highly decorated of those who are featured here, they are far from the only Members who have served. Indeed, former Senators and their family members have also served in World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWII). Surviving primary sources like photographs, government documents, and physical artifacts connect individuals such as Major Charles A.P. Bartlett and former Senator Freeman Hankins to the conflicts. A Model 1917 helmet for example, like the hand-painted helmet on display, would have been worn by Charles A.P. Bartlett as he commanded a machine gun battalion in WWI. The 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 Global War on Terrorism. Past Senators, Senator Jack E. Wagner for example, served his nation and uplifted his comrades on and off the battlefield. Following his service in Vietnam, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart on display, he founded Pittsburgh Hires Veterans and serves on a number of nonprofit boards focused on assisting veterans. Present Senators, like Senator Devlin Robinson, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2001 to 2005 and fought in Nasiriyah, Al-Kut, Baghdad, and Fallujah in the very uniform on display. Uniforms and military mementos from other Members, including Senator Ryan P. Aument, Senator Cris Dush, former Senator John Pippy, and now-Congressman Guy Reschenthaler, connect the lives and legacies of the Members to each conflict.

In the Pennsylvania Legislature, those same individuals fought for another sacred cause--that of their constituents—through their representation of Senatorial Districts in the Pennsylvania Senate. These public servants, in addition to serving their nation, spent years representing the people of the Commonwealth as Senators and Senate Librarians. Join the Senate Library in honoring the memory of the many Members of the Senate of Pennsylvania whose lives were distinguished by service to both the people of the Commonwealth and the nation.

The Library of the Senate extends heartfelt gratitude to the Members and their families for their service, as well as their willingness to share it with all who visit Pennsylvania's Capitol Building. This exhibition is presented by the Library of the Senate of Pennsylvania with collaboration from the Capitol Preservation Committee, the Pennsylvania State Museum, and the Pennsylvania House Archives.

Medal of Honor Items

1904-style Army Medal of Honor, Received by George W. Roosevelt for actions during the Civil War. Courtesy of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS).
Medal of Honor: Type VI Army design, un-awarded. Courtesy of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS).
Portrait of John C. Delaney, ca. 1910, Colorized, Reproduction, from Sam Hudson's Pennsylvania and Its Public Men. Courtesy of the Wayne County Historical Society.
Picture of John C. Delaney family heirlooms. Courtesy of John B. Lang, great-grandson of John C. Delaney and Kathryn Blystone, great-grand daughter of John C. Delaney.
Service Photograph of Captain William E. Miller, ca. 1860s, Reproduction. Courtesy of the U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Senate Portrait of William E. Miller, ca. 1901, Rodearmel, Reproduction. Courtesy of the Senate of Pennsylvania.
Virtue, Liberty, Independence: Pennsylvania's State Senators in the Civil War, 1861-1865, by former Senate staffer Bill Shufflebarger. Senate Library Legacy Project.
Uniformed portrait of Joseph H. Thompson, ca. April 15, 1919, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Reproduction.
Photograph of 28th Division Parade in Philadelphia, Marching up Market Street, ca. May 15, 1919, Reproduction. Courtesy of the Library Company of Philadelphia.

WWI & WWII Items

Model 1917 helmet with a hand-painted 42nd Rainbow Division emblem. Courtesy of the State Museum of Pennsylvania.
WWI Victory Medal, created by Department of the Army and issued to Army and Navy personnel who served between declaration of war and the Armistice, received by Sallie Serfass for service in the American Red Cross. Courtesy of the State Museum of Pennsylvania.
Photograph of Charles A.P. Bartlett, ca. 1940, Reproduction. Courtesy of the Legislative Data Processing Center.
Photograph of Richard A. Tilghman, from Papers of Thomas J. Usiadek, 1965-2011 Collection. Courtesy of the Pennsylvania House Archives.
WWII Draft Registration Card for Richard Albert Tilghman, ca. 1941, Reproduction. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
Portrait of Clarence D. Bell, ca. 2000, Senate of Pennsylvania, Reproduction. Courtesy of the Legislative Data Processing Center.
WWII Veteran Compensation Application File for Clarence D. Bell, ca. 1950, Records of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Reproduction. Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Frank A. Salvatore Portrait, ca. 1980s, House Bipartisan Management Committee (BMC) photo collection, Reproduction. Courtesy of the Pennsylvania House Archives.
Group Photograph at a Citation signing by then Governor Richard Thornburg, ca. November 1981, House Bipartisan Management Committee (BMC) photo collection, Reproduction. Courtesy of the Pennsylvania House Archives.
World War II Draft Card for Frank Angelo Salvatore, ca. 1942, Reproduction. Courtesy of the National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri.

Modern Items

Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform, desert camouflage. Courtesy of Senator Devlin Robinson.
Military Strobe Marker Light, U.S. Marine Corps. Courtesy of Senator Devlin Robinson.
Standard-Issue First Aid Kit, 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.
JAG Corps Uniform, U.S. Navy. Courtesy of Congressman Guy Reschenthaler.
Military Commissary Tokens, Operation Iraqi Freedom. Courtesy of Congressman Guy Reschenthaler.
Purple Heart, presented to Jack E. Wagner after wounded in action in Vietnam, 1968. Courtesy of former Senator Jack E. Wagner.
Award for Service to Veterans, awarded to former Senator Jack E. Wagner by the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2016. Courtesy of former Senator Jack E. Wagner.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Merit Award, awarded to former Senator Jack E. Wager. Courtesy of former Senator Jack E. Wagner.
Photograph of Senator Ryan P. Aument on a tank in Iraq, ca. 2003, Reproduction. Courtesy of Senator Ryan P. Aument.
Photograph of Senator Devlin Robinson, featured in "After War," taken in Iraq. Courtesy of The Almanac South Hills Community News.
Photographs of Senator Devlin Robinson on a Humvee, taken in Fallujah, Iraq. Courtesy of Senator Devlin Robinson.
Uniformed Portrait of Senator Devlin Robinson, taken for the United States 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 Congressman Guy Reschenthaler in uniform. Courtesy of Congressman Guy Reschenthaler.
Photograph of Master Sergeant Cris Dush working at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Courtesy of 193rd Special Operations Wing.
Photograph of Senator Cris Dush (third from left) with his family in uniform. Courtesy of Explore Jefferson.
United States Air Force Semi-Formal Dress Uniform. Courtesy of Senator Cris Dush.
United States Air Force Military Decorations & Retirement Flag Shadow Box. Courtesy of Senator Cris Dush.
Marble Slab. Recovered from the Victory over America Palace in Baghdad, Iraq. Courtesy of Senator Cris Dush.
United States Army Field Uniform. Courtesy of former Senator John R. Pippy.

Auxiliary

Legislative Journal of the Senate, 2012, "Petitions and Remonstrances," Senator Rafferty D-Day Dedication, June 13, 2012, p. 596, Reproduction. Senate of Pennsylvania.
D-Day Dedication by Senator Rafferty. Senate of Pennsylvania Session Video Recording (13 June, 2012). Courtesy of Pennsylvania Senate Republican Communications.
Legislative Journal of the Senate, 2018, Senator Vulakovich to commemorate Flag Day poetry reading of "I Am the Flag," originally entitled, "My Name is Old Glory," by Howard Schnauber, June 13, 2018, pp. 635-636, Reproduction. Senate of Pennsylvania.
"I Am the Flag" Flag Day Commemoration by Senator Vulakovich. Senate of Pennsylvania Session Video Recording (13 June, 2018). Courtesy of Pennsylvania Senate Republican Communications.
Article, "Capt. Delaney Tells How He Met Lincoln," February 12, 1909, p. 9, Reproduction. Courtesy of the Harrisburg Telegraph.
Military Flag in honor of Freeman Hankins. Courtesy of Bernadette Hankins, daughter of former Senator Freeman Hankins.
Uniformed Portrait of Freeman Hankins. Courtesy of Bernadette Hankins, daughter of former Senator Freeman Hankins.
Outstanding Legislative Award, awarded by the Department of Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars to former Senator Jack E. Wagner July 13, 2000. Courtesy of former Senator Jack E. Wagner.
Award for Outstanding Service, awarded by the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council to former Senator Jack E. Wagner January 3, 2008. Courtesy of former Senator Jack E. Wagner.
Veteran of the Year Award, awarded by the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. to former Senator Jack E. Wagner April 29, 1993. Courtesy of former Senator Jack E. Wagner.

Goals

The viewer will be able to identify Members and Librarians of the Pennsylvania Senate who were involved in major military conflicts throughout the history of the Unites States of America.
The viewer will recognize that Members and Librarians 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 and Librarians of the Pennsylvania Senate have gone beyond the call of duty, as evidenced by their distinguished careers during wartime.
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
Lindsey Walsh, Research & Exhibit Specialist
Donna Wheeler, Record Services Manager, Senate Library
George Soule, Research Services Manager, Senate Library
Jess Rodic, Assistant Secretary of the Senate
Jessica Valen, Communications Specialist, Office of the Secretary

Democratic Caucus Operations Staff

Helen E. Mabus, Graphics Director

Republican Communications Staff

Gregory Milligan, Director of Video Services
Carol Milligan, Director
Douglas Gross, Director of Photography
Jason Troutman, Videographer
Todd Krick, Director of Graphic Arts
Madison Wolfe, Graphic Artist/Photographer
Christopher J. Guerrisi, Photographer

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
Andra S. Stump, Digital Collections Analyst, Pennsylvania House Archives
Martavis R. Washington, Research Analyst, Pennsylvania House Archives
Taylor M. Mason, Research Analyst, Pennsylvania House Archives
Jason Tully, Legislative Applications Supervisor, LDPC
David Burton, Computer Programmer, LDPC
Robert D. Hill, Military & Industrial History Curator, The State Museum of Pennsylvania
Beth Hager, Director, State Museum of Pennsylvania
Andrea W. Lowery, RA, LEED AP, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Aaron McWilliams, Archivist, Pennsylvania State Archives
Laura S. Jowdy, CA, Archivist & Historical Collections Manager, Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS)
Senator Devlin Robinson, 37th Senatorial District
Senator Cris Dush, 25th Senatorial District
Senator Ryan Aument, 36th Senatorial District
Senator Camera Bartolotta, 46th Senatorial District
Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)
Former Senator Jack E. Wagner, 42nd Senatorial District
Former Senator John Pippy, 37th Senatorial District, Commander 55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
Bernadette Hankins, daughter of former Senator Freeman Hankins, 7th Senatorial District.
Cecilia Boyer, Executive Assistant, Senator Dush Harrisburg Office
Elizabeth Weitzel, Chief of Staff, Senator Robinson Harrisburg Office
Alicia R. Hinzman, District Director, Senator Robinson District Office
Alison J. Shank, Administrative Assistant, Senator Bartolotta Harrisburg Office
Ashley Bailey, Scheduler, Office of United States Representative Guy Reschenthaler
Sarah Youngdahl, District Administrator, Office of United States Representative Guy Reschenthaler

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