Memorial at Mt Zion
Yellowstone (the TV show) on the East Coast: This is our home. Also, a tribute to those men who saved Europe, 80 years ago, through the Normandy Invasion on June 6th, 1944.
In Elk County is an area called “the valley” referring to Bennett’s valley, named after an early settler to the area. Included is Benezette and Benezette township, the home of the Elk herd, which Elk county is named for. People from all over the world come to our humble, isolated area just to see Elk thriving in the wild. During the Memorial Day weekend, people from the valley, St Marys, and the county come to pay their respects to the dead servicemen who defended us in times of war and peace.
A church once stood in the place of the monument, but it met with disaster and is no longer standing. In its place is the detailed monument, explaining the founding of the area, including Chief Cornplanter, and ending with an area dedicated to the valley’s veterans. Located in the middle of a vast forest, there is a serene calm, reminding ua of the final rest of these men and those in the cemetery ,over the hill, behind the Memorial. The leaves are green and vibrant and the roads are rugged. These isolated areas are what makes Elk County so special.
Many who served in these wars, were coal miners and loggers. These blue collar men eager to serve a county who gave them freedom, not found in other countries. Stepping back and observing the locals, you can feel their sense of pride in their coal miner ancestors. These people, while they enjoy the fruits of the tourism in the area, don’t want this place ruined by those who would mere exploit it. It reminds me of the mini series, Yellowstone, preserving the sacredness of their land against the cheap destruction of progress. Those who have been born and raised here merely ignore the beauty of the land or like the young, they run from it. It makes it hard to believe that over 100 years ago their ancestors were running to it. However, trouble is on the horizon, and at least the young ones of Elk County should know or we should tell them that they have a rural area to shelter them in that trouble. There are many without a rural area to run to in trying time.
I have included a few videos so these people can speak for themselves. There is also the honor guard and the Boy Scouts with the flag and the bell.
They gave it all. Incredible men. Different times. Thank you Rainey.