The Brookline Monument, better known as "The Cannon," has been a mainstay on the boulevard
for many years, dating back to 1935. It is the showpiece of our local Veterans Memorial,
or the Brookline Boulevard Triangle Park as it is officially known on the city register.

* Last Modified: November 22, 2024 *

Community Gathering Place

The war memorial is located on the small triangular shaped island situated between Brookline Boulevard, Queensboro and Chelton Avenues. The cannon, a World War I artillery piece, honors the legacy of Brookline's fighting men and women in arms as it quietly stands watch over the Commerical District.

Situated at the heart of the community and often simply referred to as "The Cannon," the tiny parklet has become a familiar gathering place, either for an event or just to get together with friends. "We'll Meet at the Cannon" is phrase familiar to anyone who has called Brookline home.

At the entrance to the park is a fine pink granite Memorial Bench adorned with with three bronze memorial plaques. The one on the rear of the bench, above the planter, is "In Memory of All American Veterans." Another is placed on the lower part of the bench honoring "The Veterans of Brookline," our local military men and women that have served in the various conflicts from World War I through the Persian Gulf War.

The most recent addition is the Brookline Honor Roll plaque, dedicated on August 31, 2019. Placed on the front of the bench, it honors the fifty-six local soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that lost their lives during the wars of the 20th Century. By the grace of God there have been no local casualties since during the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The park contains a few other park benches, a flag pole and a flower garden. Each year, the local Memorial Day Parade begins at the Veteran's Memorial. The parade is preceeded by a somber ceremony in honor of those who fell in battle.

Many Brookline residents and casual passers-by, however, are unaware of the true significance of this small park, and the sacrifices made by Brookliners over the past century in the service of our country. It is in their honor that this park exists, and it is our duty to tell that tale on this webpage, thus keeping their stories, and memories, alive in our hearts and minds.

Former Site of the Freehold Real Estate Office

In 1905, when the Brookline section of the former West Liberty Borough was undergoing the transformation from a rural farming district into a modern residential and commercial community, the Freehold Real Estate Company established a small sales office on the triangle. The original one-room wooden shack was replaced by a two-room brick building in 1912. The office was a busy place for many years as the community grew.

  
The Freehold Real Estate office along Brookline Boulevard in 1910 (left) and again in 1913.

As for ownership of the triangle, Freehold owned the larger share of the property, and the City of Pittsburgh owned the rest, located near the tip of the triangle that pointed in the direction of the developing Brookline Boulevard Commercial district.

First Flag Raising and Memorial Plaque

On October 20, 1917, the Boy Scouts held the first flag raising ceremony and in November 1919, a city ordinance was enacted allowing the Brookline Board of Trade to place a bronze Memorial Tablet "Commemorating the Achievements of Brookline World War Heroes." This was placed on the city owned portion of the triangle.

Then, in 1932, as a result of the financial crisis caused by the onset of the Great Depression, the Freehold Office in Brookline was closed. Their land was sold to James McGaffin, a prominent Brookline businessman and owner of the McGaffin Construction Company. The old Freehold office was razed in the fall of 1933.

A Permanent Memorial

Despite the struggling economy, the 1930s were a time of great change in Brookline. The Joint Civic Committee was busy working on many initiatives to help modernize and improve the community. One such project was to establish a larger Veteran's Memorial to honor Brookline soldiers who fought in World War I.

On April 18, 1934, James McGaffin sold his portion of the triangle to the city for the purpose of establishing a permanent memorial. The cost of the transfer was $5750, and the land was designated as the Brookline Boulevard Triangle Park.

On July 4, 1935, before the start of the annual Independence Day Parade, members of Brookline's American Legion Post #540, formed just two months prior to that in May 1935, dedicated a white marble Memorial Bench. Bolted to the bench was the original bronze Memorial Tablet originally dedicated in 1919.

Members of the local American Legion Post #540 dedicate the original white marble
Memorial Bench at the Brookline Boulevard Triangle Park on July 4, 1935.

Soon afterwards, The United States Department of the Interior granted the American Legion Post #540 the loan of a government surplus artillery piece to be placed on the triangle as another local monument to Brookline Veteran's. It was placed on a concrete pad with the gun barrel facing towards the Commercial District.

Other additions to the Veteran's Memorial continued in the years that followed. On Memorial Day, 1937, the American Legion Post #540 and the Brookline Americanism Committee, headed by Mary E. Laitta, dedicated a flag pole.

In the spring of 1939, the Pittsburgh Department of Public Works spent $1600 to build a retaining wall along the Chelton Avenue side of the park to level the land, install additional concrete paving and metal fencing around the memorial, as well as providing new landscaping and other improvements.

The Original Cannon (1935-1942)

The present-day Cannon is actually the second rendition of the monument. The granite memorial bench itself is also a replacement. The original cannon was a surplus World War I American field artillery piece. It's official designation was 4.7 inch Gun M1906.

An American howitzer, the 4.7 inch Gun M1906, is shown here on May 21, 1939
at the Brookline Veteran's Memorial in Triangle Park.

The original howitzer, dedicated in 1938, stood for four years, until another global conflict called it back into service. This time, the cannon was not headed for the front lines in Europe. It was, instead, heading to Jones and Laughlin Steel. The World War I artillery piece was donated by the American Legion to the J&L Mill in Hazelwood to be melted down during a scrap metal drive for World War II.

American Legion Post #540 members stand by Brookline's original Cannon.

It happened on October 13, 1942, when John Renner, a foreman at the J&L 16-inch roller, and George Winslow, superintendent of the mill's Hazelwood polishing plant and senior vice-commander of the Brookline Legion Post 540, held a small ceremony before the 4.7 inch cannon was again carted off to war, this time against the empire of Japan. The cannon was inscribed "To Japan via U.S. Armed Forces."

Brookline's original Cannon being hauled away for scrap metal on October 13, 1942.

Our Schneider Howitzer

After World War II, an Army surplus howitzer was obtained on loan from the Department of the Interior as a replacement for the original cannon. The current model 1917 Schneider 155mm howitzer was installed and the park re-dedicated in 1946. In the spring of 2021 Brookline residents celebrated seventy-five years with their now iconic Schneider howitzer.

The Cannon is arguably the most recognizable feature on Brookline Boulevard and has always been a favorite amongst decades of youngsters who love to climb aboard and spin the wheels.

Although it still federal property and belongs to the Department of the Interior, our Schneider howitzer is something Brookliners have claimed as their own, as shown by the outpouring of concern caused by the bus crash on July 8, 2017.

For decades, children have been fascinated by the Cannon at the Veteran's Memorial.

Updates and Upgrades

The aging white marble Veteran's memorial bench was replaced with the present-day polished pink granite bench in 1995. At that time the old World War I bronze tablet was replaced with two new bronze memorials, one to all American veterans, including references to the conflicts from World War I to the Persian Gulf War, and another dedicated to local veterans from the Brookline community.

The pink granite bench in 2000 with the bronze veteran's plaques in the original configuration as installed in 1995.
The upper plaque was moved to the rear of the bench in 2019, replaced by a larger Brookline Honor Roll plaque.

Old Soldiers

Brookline's Veteran's Memorial Park has always been popular gathering place. Several generations of Brookliners have uttered the words, "I'll meet you at the cannon."

Sometimes the park benches are just a nice place to sit down and enjoy a relaxing moment, either alone or with friends.

For the three gentlemen captured in this Robert Daley print, entitled "Old Soldiers," this meeting at the park was something of a casual reunion of Veteran's. On a crisp fall morning, the old soldiers have gathered near the cannon to chat about the day's events.

The average pedestrian would pass them by without much thought, not realizing what sacrifices these brave men had made so many years ago on the battlefields of far away places. They had been to hell and back, an experience that only a veteran can understand. They share a common bond, one that is forged in the cauldron of war.

These fine men were part of our Greatest Generation and oh, what stories they could tell.

Brookline's snow-covered cannon on December 29, 2012.

South Hills Memorial Day Parade

Every Memorial Day, beginning in 1934, the South Hills Memorial Day Parade Association hosts the annual Memorial Day Parade. The event begins at the Brookline Veterans Memorial with the opening ceremony.

The parade then follows a 2.2 mile route from the cannon along Brookline Boulevard, Pioneer Avenue and West Liberty Avenue. The procession ends at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, where a closing ceremony is held. The parade is a fun, yet somber event honoring local soldiers who gave their lives in the service of our country.

  
Frank F. DeBor, the owner of DeBor Funeral Home and Commander of the American Legion Post #540 lays a wreath
on the memorial bench in Triangle Park prior to the start of the 1954 Memorial Day Parade.

At the Memorial Day Parade in 2010, I was struck by the fact that nobody could recite the names of Brookline's fallen heroes, those whose sacrifice was being celebrated that day.

My curiosity led me on fruitless searches to the local American Legion, nearby VFW and the Brookline library. It seemed so wrong that our proud community, unlike others like Beechview, Carrick, Dormont and Mount Lebanon, had no record of the native sons that died in war.

Brookliners gather at the Veteran's Memorial for the Memorial Day ceremony before the parade in May 1960.

With this in mind, Doug Brendel and myself took it upon ourselves to research this topic and learn the names. We scoured the casulty lists of old archived Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Mount Washington Times and Brookline Journal editions.

It took a few months, but in the end we had identified the names of fifty-six Brookline natives who perished during the WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Along with these fifty-six brave souls, we also learned of many Brookliners who suffered wounds and many others who were held as Prisoner of War. By the time of the Memorial Day Parade of 2018, it was with pride that we could present the names listed below in the casualty section of this webpage.

Dedication of Honor Roll Plaque - August 2019

At noon on Saturday, August 31, 2019, a dedication was held at the Brookline Veteran's Park and War Memorial to dedicate a beautiful bronze Honor Roll plaque listing the fifty-six soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that lost their lives during the conflicts of the 20th Century (World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam). The plaque was commissioned by Brookline Historical Society members Clint Burton and Doug Brendel. The names of those soldiers are listed on this page in the local casualty lists section.

Honor Roll Dedication Page with Recap and Over 150 Photos

Brookline Military Casualty Lists

♦ World War I ♦      ♦ World War II ♦      ♦ Korean War ♦

♦ Vietnam War ♦      ♦ War on Terror ♦

Listed below are many of the sons of Brookline who gave their
lives to preserve freedom and contain aggression during
World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died.
Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.”
General George S. Patton
 

World War I (1917-1919)

 History of Pittsburgh and Western PA Soldiers in World War I 

For a complete listing of World War I fatalities:
Soldiers of the Great War - Volume I
Soldiers of the Great War - Volume II
Soldiers of the Great War - Volume III

For a listing of World War I fatalities from Pittsburgh:
Soldiers of the Great War - Volume III

The World War I Memorial - Washington D.C.

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World War II (1941-1945)

The World War II Memorial - Washington D.C.

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Korean War (1950-1953)

Korean War Memorial - Washington D.C.

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Vietnam War (1965-1973)

Vietnam War Memorial - Washington D.C.

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The War on Terror (2001-2021)

There have been no fallen Brookline soldiers in the Persian Gulf War (1991),
the War in Iraq (2003-2011), or the War in Afghansitan (2001-2021).

 Pittsburgh Casualties in The War on Terror 

United States Army soldiers resupplying in the mountains of Afghanistan.

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Editor's Note: These casualty lists were compiled from archived issues of the Pittsburgh Press and Post-Gazette (March, 1917 - March, 1919), the Mount Washington Times (December 1941 - July 1946), the Pittsburgh Press and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (December 1941 - July 1946), the Brookline Journal (1950-1954) and the Carnegie Library and ancestry.com online resources. All names listed have been verified as casualties through the National Archives (Army and Navy) or the Defense POW/Missing Persons Office online resources. The home of record is listed as the address of the soldier's next-of-kin.

As for our World War I and World War II research, we've made every attempt to be as accurate and thorough as possible. These daily published lists were the only consistant resource available for the Army and Navy's World War I and World War II records containing street addresses. Hence, it is possible that we may have omitted names that should be present on this record. It is also possible that Brookline natives who moved to another city or state may not be identified as being from Pennsylvania, therefore not recorded here. We really did do our best to get this right.

A Work In Progress

This page is an ongoing project. Our research will continue on this casualty list. Our goal is to present the most accurate account possible of Brookline's fallen servicemen with the admiration, respect and honor befitting their sacrifice.

Special thanks to Doug Brendel, Michael Brendel, John Rudiak, Carol Anthony, David Wonn,
John Turanin, Rosario Scumaci for their research assistance.

The National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota on a June morning.
Photo from the Minneapolis Star/Tribune - 2012.

Additional World War II Information

Our research into World War II casualty lists also uncovered several postings regarding local soldiers that were wounded, missing or held as prisoners. The following is a recap of information regarding Brookline veterans wounded in action, missing in action, or held as prisoner of war. This is not to be considered a complete accounting. These names were culled from the Pittsburgh Press and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our research is ongoing ...

Wounded: Aaron Paul S Jr - Starkamp Street, Bauer Richard A - Berkshire Avenue, Bishop William R - Rossmore Avenue, Bogart Larry - Breining Street, Bower Richard A - Creedmoor Avenue, Brown James R - Jacob Street, Brunk Carl A - Pioneer Avenue, Carrigan Joseph W - Brookline Boulevard, Copeland William M - Creedmoor Avenue, Cunningham Edward J - Brookline Boulevard, Czech George B - Bellaire Place, Dudics George Jr - Fernhill Avenue, Dunbar Frank - Woodward Avenue, Dunn Robert K - Woodbourne Avenue, Dye Charles L - Fordham Avenue, Elstner Francis L - Rossmore Avenue, Frediani Lawrence F - Merrick Avenue, Frew Jack R - Wedgemere Avenue, Gorski John F - Pioneer Avenue, Green Elmer D - Lynnbrooke Avenue, Gregg Paul - Saw Mill Run Boulevard, Hagel Robert L - Gallion Avenue, Haggerty Francis L - Chelton Avenue, Heck Richard N - Bayridge Avenue, Henry Robert P - Plainview Avenue, Herrle James J - Kenilworth Street, Hogan James T - Bellaire Place, Hogel Joseph A - Milan Avenue, Klaus Francis - Hobson Street, Kuntz William J - Brookline Boulevard, Land, William - Berkshire Avenue, Lang Charles H - Whited Street, Lutton James L - Brookline Boulevard, Mahoney David R - Berkshire Avenue, McKelvey Gene B - Bellaire Avenue, Moses William A - Fordham Avenue, Orth William J - Bayridge Avenue, Oswant John E - LaMarido Street, Quallich Robert P - Fortuna Street, Ruane Timothy F - Berkshire Avenue, Streicher Frederick E - Bellaire Place, Schilling Thomas M - Rossmore Avenue, Smith Harry A - Berkshire Avenue, Stull John R - Sageman Avenue, Sturm Jesse J - Edgebrook Avenue, Thom Albert - Timberland Avenue, Tobin, Paul M - Woodbourne Avenue, Trimble Arthur P - Bayridge Avenue, Troppman Daniel A - Chelton Avenue, Weber George - Norwich Avenue, Whetsell John W - Castlegate Avenue, Ziegler Maurice S - Woodbourne Avenue.

Missing: Benninger Robert J - Woodbourne Avenue, Brickley Edward G - Woodward Avenue, Burkley Joseph A - Whited Street, Kost William C - Linial Avenue, Linke Walter A - Ferncliff Avenue.

Prisoner of War (Germany): Butterworth Norman - Norwich Avenue, Courtney Samuel E - Greencrest Drive, Drexler Daniel T - Bellaire Avenue, Dudics Edward - Fernhill Avenue, Fluke Richard C - Woodbourne Avenue, Flynn William J - Woodbourne Avenue, Jordano Frank A - Fernhill Avenue, Kosinski Raymond J - Woodward Avenue, Kost Peter - Linial Avenue, Manners Christ D - Brookline Boulevard, Streicher Frederick E - Bellaire Place, Theis Richard C - Fordham Avenue, Trunzo Anthony F - Plainview Avenue, Walker Raymond L - Plainview Avenue, Watkins David A - Fordham Avenue, Welsh Richard J - Merrick Avenue.

Prisoner of War (Japan): Arcuri Louis - Bellaire Place.

NOTE: None of the soldiers listed above as Missing-In-Action have been found on military death rolls. All of the Prisoners-Of-War listed above were repatriated. Source - www.ancestry.com.

Additional World War I Information

Wounded: Boecking Guido C - Brookline Boulevard, Hamilton A W - Plainview Avenue, Knowlson Roscoe T - Berkshire Avenue, Steffy, John L - Brookline Boulevard.

Prisoner of War (Germany): Sheridan James L - Fordham Avenue.

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A soldier of the Old Guard stands watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Photo taken during Hurricane Sandy - October 2012.

Brookline Veteran's Remembrances

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Related Links

♦ The Saga of the World War I Bonus Army ♦
and the War Bonus Bonds - June 1936

♦ USS Jenks (DE-665) - September 1943 ♦
The First Destroyer Built in Pittsburgh

♦ LST-512 in Pittsburgh - October 1945 ♦
Great Lakes War Bond Drive

♦ Dedication of the Brookline Honor Roll ♦
Plaque - August 31, 2019

Memories from Pittsburgh Newspapers

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Local Cavalry Officers

This clipping appeared in the January 19, 1941
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph.

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Seeing-Eye Dogs To Help In Blackout

This photo appeared in the June 25, 1942 Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph.
The caption read:

PATROL - William Kelley, of 1449 Bellaire Place, and his seeing-eye dog "Pete". Kelley has organized a "Seeing-Eye Dog Air Raid Precaution Patrol," composed of seeing-eye dogs and their blind masters. Members will carry messages when autos, telephones are out of commission.

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Brookline Children Run Scrap Shop

This photo appeared in the July 21, 1942 Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph.
The caption read:

SCRAP - A swap shop to help collect scrap is operated in Brookline. Built by Abe Goldstein in the rear of his house at 1410 Wareman Avenue, it's run by his daughter, Janet, 11. Seen above, Dick Bradshaw, 3, and brother, Jim, 4, turn in scrap to the young business woman. Left to right are Janet Goldstein, Ellen Lowther, Bernadette Legler and Lois Lowther.

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This photo appeared in the October 1, 1942 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The caption, along with the accompanying article, read as follows:

Action on the home front, in the energetic Junior Commandos organization, is what these 126 freshman and sophomore girls at Elizabeth Seton High School in Brookline are prepared to further. Sworn in as Junior Commando privates under J. L. Boyle, colonel of the Brookline area, they will help in organizing JC units and serve as aides in the scrap collections.

Two Thousand, Two Hundred Junior Commandos dedicated a new "scrap corner" in Brookline on Tuesday evening with a jamboree that would vie with any football "pep" meeting you ever saw.

The the tune of "The Old Gray Mare," the army of boys and girls sane these words:

"The Stars and Stripes will fly over Tokyo, fly over Tokyo, fly over Tokyo." They repeated "fly over Tokyo" in time with their marching. The route of the parade led through neighborhood streets to the new scrap depot at Brookline Boulevard and Merrick Street.

Commando-In-Chief Frank Murray and Colonel John L. Boyle, Brookline district "commander," led the column with brisk step and pride in the thousands of Junior Commandos who were helping to "fly the Stars and Stripes over Tokyo."

The parade ended at the scrap corner which, incidentally, was offered for the purpose by a Brookline businessman, Serafino Gigliotti. Chief Murray than spoke to the boys and girls about the importance of continued effort in gathering scrap metal.

"I am very well pleased with the splendid manner in which all of you First Class Privates, Corporals and Sergeants are turning in scrap. Remember, boys and girls, it is the scrap that makes the equipment which is necessary to win the war. Keep up the good work; but make sure you ask permission before taking scrap from any property.

"Also keep in mind that a Commando must be polite and courteous, and above all, must perform his or her job in a quiet manner.

All Junior Commandos who have reported collections of 200 pounds of scrap metal or more have been invited by mail to see the Pittsburgh Steelers wallop the New York Giants at Forbes Field on Sunday, October fourth. The squads of those who reported collections will also receive tickets - all for free!

Two Brookline Junior Commandos, along with their squads, have collected over a whopping 9400 pounds each. James McKenna and Herbert Swann will join 45 other commandos from around the city in ceremoniously having their names engraved on a 30-ton tank that will one day be trundling after the enemies of our country.

NOTE: James McKenna, an army Silver Star recipient, lost his life in the Korean War. His story is featured as part of this Brookline War Memorial.

This photo appeared in the November 11, 1942 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The caption read:

Young members of the Brookline School Junior Commandos gave their "V" for Victory salute, as army and navy chiefs launched them on a new scrap "Jamboree" last night to bring in all the metal missed by other drives. "We can't get in the war but we can get in the scrap," is the kids' motto. Shown with the youngsters are, left to right, Joseph F. Moore, president of Brookline Savings and Trust Company and former Brookline School principal; Commando Colonet John L. Boyle; Chief Petty Officer E. T. Tissue of the navy recruiting office; Lieutenant E. B. Kecker, U.S.N.R., and Captain William W. Carroll, commander of army military police in Pittsburgh. Girls of Elizabeth Seton High School were usherettes.

This photo appeared in the March 8, 1943 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The caption read:

Credited with having been responsible for the sale of the most War Bonds during a recent drive in the Elizabeth Seton High School, Barbara Bassett, 14, of 1028 Bellaire Avenue, received the title of "Miss Victory" at a dance in the school on Friday afternoon. Of the nearly $10,000 worth of bonds pledged and sold by Commandos of the school, Miss Bassett's effort accounted for $4,500 worth. In the above picture, Robert Strakam a guest at the dance and president of the Federation of Catholic High School students, plus a "corsage" of war stamps on Barbara's shoulder.

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West Liberty School Bell Scrapped

This photo appeared in the October 2, 1942 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The caption read:

This picture shows the original West Liberty School Bell, which had been summoning West Liberty children to class for seventy-five years. The bell was donated to the war effort, as well as the five tons of debris behind Miss Mary Jan Bartolotto of 222 Capitol Avenue. Altogether, the children of West Liberty School collected nearly seventy-five tons of scrap metal, all of which was transported and dumped in the courtyard of the County Courthouse.

NOTE: This was just the beginning. All of Brookline's schools took part in the home front effort to defeat the Axis during World War II, participating in Defense Stamp Drives, Scrap Metal Drives, Victory Gardens and Rationing.

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American Rangers and Rangerettes

This photo appeared in the October 7, 1942 Pittsburgh Press.
The caption read:

AMERICAN RANGERS AND RANGERETTES of the Press Seck Hawkins Club in the Brookline District brought scrap metal and rubber to the huge Brookline Business Men's Association bin on Brookline Boulevard. Later in the day the boys and girls were guests of Manager Jimmy Laux at the Boulevard Theater. Director-Secretary Barbara Blakely of 961 Fordham Avenue, district leader, is shown at the right. Seck Hawkins chapters everywhere are out to bring in thousands of tons of scrap metal and rubber to help Uncle Sam.

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Joining The Army

This photo appeared in the October 25, 1942 Pittsburgh Press.
The caption read:

JOINING THE ARMY were these five young men who have been "pals" for years. All nineteen-years old, the youths enlisted yesterday in the Army Air Forces as ground-crew mechanics and hope to be assigned to the same unit. Left to right, they are (front row) Charles Dimmock, 3038 Pinehurst Avenue, Dormont; Paul Bosted, 3215 Gaylord Avenue, Dormont; John McCahan, 2401 Woodward Avenue, Brookline; (back row) Robert Dobbins, 3120 Wainbell Avenue, Dormont, and Eugene Malarkey, 1214 Biltmore Avenue, Dormont.

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Name of Brookline Girl on Bomb Hurled on Tokyo

This article appeared in the April 23, 1943 Pittsburgh Press.
Click on image for a larger, readable version.

Miss Peggy Fry, of 704 Brookline Boulevard, had her name chalked onto the nose of a bomb destined for Tokyo during the Doolittle Raid. "This one from Peggy", was the message written by her fiancee, Marine Corporal Larry Bogart, of 1450 Breining Street, who was serving as orderly to Captain Mark Mitscher on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet during the legendary B-25 bombing mission.

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Sold Themselves a New Hat

This photo appeared in the May 6, 1943 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The caption read:

As salesladies in a downtown department store, Myrtle D. Bradford, 21, left, of Oakdale, and Anna Garforth, 22, of 2350 Birtley Avenue, Brookline, have tried many a hat on customers, but yesterday they tried on a pair of WAAC bonnets and found them a neat fit. The needs of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps and the chance to wear the hats as often as they liked made the girls give up their jobs selling hats and join the WAACS. They will leave soon for basic training.

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Hula Comes To Brookline

This photo appeared in the August 21, 1943 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The caption read:

Miss Evelyn Hunzikes, left, and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Francis Hunzikes, right, of 725 Bayridge Avenue, Brookline, aren't certain the dance they're doing is the genuine hula, but they know their grass skirts and shell necklaces are the real thing. They received the costumes yesterday from Sergeant William Hunzikes, their brother and husband, respectively, who is in the South Pacific area, with an Army air-craft unit.

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Her First Chance To Say Thanks

This photo appeared in the December 27, 1943 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The caption read:

Five year-old Patty McGibbeny of 905 Excelsior Street is taking her first opportunity to thank personally her godfather, Sergeant John Edward Conlin of the army engineers, for the grass skirt he sent her last summer from Guadalcanal. Sergeant Collins, formerly of Brentwood, was overseas since May, 1942. Passing through Pittsburgh, he visited Patty's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jason P. Ferns, of 510 Kathleen Street.

Note: Patty's family moved to Brookline in 1953 and settled on Bellaire Place in Brookline. She married Gerald Burton of Castle Shannon in 1960. The couple bought a home on Bellaire Place in 1963 and remained for fifty-one years. Patty McGibbeny is my mother.

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Navy Airman Enjoys Belated Christmas

This photo appeared in the February 7, 1944 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The caption read:

Although he was afloat on a life raft in the South Pacific for about twelve hours on Christmas Day after his plane was shot down by Japanese fighters, Aviation Radioman Second Class Kenneth C. Sherborn, 18, recaptured the thrills of Christmas in his home at 1434 Woodbourne Avenue, Brookline, yesterday. He is shown examining a gift scarf with his mother, Mrs. Christian R. Sherborn, beneath the branches of the family Christmas tree, decorated especially for him.

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Joining The Air-WAC

This photo appeared in the April 13, 1944 Pittsburgh Press.
The caption read:

Mrs. Virginia E. Moore, left, of Aliquippa and Mary M. Boyle, 533 Brookline Boulevard, departed last night for Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Mrs. Moore husband, Captain Joseph H. Moore, Army Air Forces, recently was rescued from a raft after being shot down over the Pacific. She is assigned to the Air-Wac.

Note: Both of these women were joining the Women's Army Corp. Some women, like Mrs. Moore were assigned as Air-WACs, working directly with the Army Air Corps, while Brookline's Mrs. Boyle was a WAC. The WAC were originally trained in three major specialties, switchboard operators, mechanics and bakers. This was later expanded to dozens of specialties like Postal Clerk, Driver, Stenographer, and Clerk-Typist. WAC armorers maintained and repaired small arms and heavy weapons that they were not allowed to use. Over 150,000 women served in the Women's Army Corp, with 32,000 in the Air-WAC.

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Admiral Nimitz Didn't Fail Her

This photo appeared in the May 21, 1944 Pittsburgh Press.
The caption read:

Martha Hufnagel wrote and told Admiral Chester W. Nimitz she had scrapbooks filled with news clippings of current events in the South Pacific, and was reserving the first page for him. He sent her a letter and an autographed photo of himself. Martha, 15, of 1406 Creedmoor Avenue, Brookline, began collecting the clippings after her brother, Lieutenant (JG) Charles T. Hufnagel, went to the South Pacific.

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"Remember That Pub in England, Son?"

This photo appeared in the September 9, 1945 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The caption read:

This is the first beer this father-and-son soldier team has had together since they were both in Salisbury, England. Private First Class William Cotton, 24, left, was transferred to the continent first. His dad, Technician Fourth Grade Vince Cotton, honorably discharged a month ago, now works in the city register of wills office and lives at the Hotel Henry. His son, who lives with his wife, Doris, at 1314 Bellaire Place, Brookline, just returned after sixteen months overseas.

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Girl Scout Troop #77 - Brookline's Female Sharpshooters

A photo from the February 1, 1942 Sun-Telegraph showing Girl Scout Troop#77 sharpshooters Patsy Jean Moss,
Team Captain Jane Linder, Marilyn Galvin, Rosemary Shenkel and Patsy Shenkel.

Brookline's Girl Scout Troop#77 was formed in 1940 and hosted by the Episcopal Church of the Advent, located on Pioneer Avenue. The scout leader was Mrs. Florence Galvin and the troop consisted of twenty girls ages 12 through 18. Other assistant leaders were Mrs. Edna Shenkel and Mrs. Lucille Pfeiffer.

Along with the many diverse scouting related activities in which the troop participated, including camping trips to South Park, the girls also formed a sharpshooting team that participated in the American Legion Junior Rifle League. The rifle program was sponsored by the American Legion and approved by both the National Rifle Association and the United States War Department, which provided rifles and ammunition.

This December 31, 1940 Sun-Telegraph photo shows Troop #77 sharpshooters at the American Legion Hall. Shown here are
Virginia Linder, Barbara Blakely, Marilyn Galvin, Wilma Masters, Virginia Morrell and Rosemary Shenkel.

Known as "Brookline's Annie Oakleys," and trained by Edward Wilhelm, the rifle team from Troop#77 compiled a remarkable record of achievement, consistently finished among the top sharpshooters in the Pittsburgh area, and were recognized for their talents by the National Rifle Association. The girls trained once a week at the No. 1 Police Station shooting range.

In this December 21, 1941 Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph photo Rosemary and Patsy Shenkel receive
National Rifle Association medals from Troop #77 Scout Leader Mrs. Florence Galvin.

The Brookline girls were also very active during the war years holding benefit dances to raise money for special charities such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and the March of Dimes. The ladies would knit and sew for the Red Cross and make holiday favors for the Veteran's Hospital. All of the girls were instructed in Red Cross home nursing and first aid.

One of their most successful projects was preparing gift packages for servicemen that were distributed at the USO lounge on Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh. Each package contained three postal cards, three candy bars, cigarettes and chewing gum. The troop received many appreciative letters from soldiers who received these packages.

One of those letters read:

"I am a soldier in the Air Corps. I just arrived in Chicago from my home in Nutley, New Jersey, where I ahve been on a ten-day furlough. On my way home my train stopped in Pittsburgh for an hour, and I stopped at the USO there. I was given a package made up by you. I am dropping this letter to thank you for this swell gift. It made a soldier very happy, because I had no money to buy anything, and was glad to get the candy and cigarettes. Keep up your good work, and thank you girls. Signed - Private A. S.

The girls of Troop #77 march in the 1942 Memorial Day Parade along Brookline Boulevard.

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Honoring Their Heroes

John and Carol Ann Daum.

During and after the war years, military-style oufits were a popular fashion in children's clothing. The entire country mobilized for the war effort. Defense Stamp drives and scrap collections made children feel as though they were doing their part to help, and a feeling of patriotism swelled among the nation's youth. Wearing a outfit fashioned to look like the men and women they looked up to was a natural expression of that pride.

In this photo from 1946, John Edward and Carol Ann Daum are shown wearing naval uniforms fashioned by their grandmother, Viola Jane Daum, from their father's old uniform. Albert Daum, a decorated veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart, served in the Navy SeaBees during the campaign in the South Pacific. The children wore their special outfits with pride in a classic example of Norman Rockwell's vision of Americana.

John Daum went on to serve in the United States Navy as a submariner. This photo was contributed by Scott Price, son of Carol Ann Daum. Scott's grandfather, Harry R. Price, also served in the Navy SeaBees during World War II.

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Shortages at Home

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article published on December 30, 1945.

Rationing - Defense Drives - Service Stars

Rationing During World War II

Immediately following America's entry into World War II, a rationing system was begun to guarantee minimum amounts of necessities to everyone and prevent inflation. Tires were the first item to be rationed, in January 1942, because supplies of natural rubber were interrupted. Gasoline rationing proved an even better way to allocate scarce rubber.

On October 28, 1942, the government instituted a national speed limit of 35 mph. This was an effort to both lessen fuel consumption and increase safety. Most Americans were allotted a mere three gallons of gas per week and, due to rubber shortages, most vehicles were driving on old, worn tires.

Property and Supplies Director Harry Aufderheide and Police Sergeant Ernest Andrew
are shown testing one of the new "jack on wheels" on August 26, 1943.

The problem with bad tires became such that creative measures had to be employed to deal with the frequency of flat tires and the ensuing traffic delays caused by stranded vehicles. It became a near necessity that these valuable tires be saved.

For instance, here in Pittsburgh, by 1943 an average of three vehicles a day were getting flat tires while driving through the Liberty Tunnels. In response, "jacks-on-wheels" were developed. A flat tire was lowered into a wheeled cradle and the car could be driven out of the tunnel without doing further damage to the tire.

By 1943, consumers needed government issued ration coupons to purchase typewriters, sugar, gasoline, bicycles, footwear, fuel oil, silk, nylon, coffee, stoves, shoes, meat, cheese, butter, margarine, canned foods, dried fruits, jam, and many other items. Some items, like new automobiles and appliances, were no longer in production as U.S. factories turned completely to wartime production. The rationing system did not apply to second-hand goods, like clothing and used cars.

To get a classification and a book of rationing stamps, one had to appear before a local rationing board. Each person in a household received a ration book, including babies and children. When purchasing gasoline, a driver had to present a gas card along with a ration book and cash. Ration stamps were valid only for a set period to prevent hoarding.

Families kept a close eye in their ration booklets as they could not be replaced. When in need of a new pair of shoes or a dress, parents would carefully collect the requisite number of red or blue tokens and then redeem them, along with cash, for the requested merchandise.

Here in Brookline, families tightened their purse-strings and did their best to make do with less. The public transportation network became a prefered method of travel, and car-pooling became commonplace. Most homes grew Victory Gardens to help offset the shortage of foodstuffs. Parents learned how to mend worn clothing and repair broken appliances.

One thing that sticks out in most people's mind from the war years is a white vegetable substance, called Oleo Margarine, that became a common butter substitute. Many said that it did not taste like butter at all, and had the look and consistency of lard. In an effort to make the margarine look more palatable, there was a capsule of yellow dye inside each package. The capsule was broken and the dye kneaded into the oleo, making it look more like butter. The effort provided some relief, but most kids still considered it quite gross.

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War Bonds and Defense Stamps

Another thing that was commonplace during the years 1942-1946 was War Bond Drives. In order to finance the war effort, the United States government sold savings bonds. Because of rationing, families often had more money than they could spend, so they saved it, mostly by investing in these government bonds.

War Bond rallies were held in most cities and communities, often featuring Hollywood film stars and war heroes to help draw the crowds needed to make the program a success. The bond buyer paid 75% of the face value of the bond, and received the full face value when redeemed after a set number of years.

These uniformed pledge girls took orders for War Bonds and Defense Stamps at a bond rally held in Brookline Memorial
Park on July 20, 1942. Left to right are Florence Bergman, Dorothy Williams, Connie Adam and Martha Jane Tawney.
The rally was held by the Brookline Business Men's Association. This photo appeared in the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph.

There were seven major War Bond drives, including the Great Lakes War Bond Drive in 1945. Pittsburgh was one of the stops along the way for LST-512, a D-Day landing craft that toured the Great Lakes waterways. The vessel, loaded with war exhibits, was moored along the Monongahela Wharf on October 17, 1945.

May, 1942 - Defense stamp drive at Brookline School.

Scrap metal drives and the sale of Defense Stamps were another option for the government to raise capital with the help of the general public. Stamp drives were a great way to get the nation's school children involved in the homefront war effort. All public, private and parochial schools participated in the Defense Stamp drives. Locally, among Pittsburgh Public Schools, Brookline Elementary was the top seller of defense stamps in 1942.

While the Little Kids spent their time selling defense stamps, collecting scrap metal, drawing patriotic posters in school and learning how to distinguish between American, German and Japanese fighter planes and bombers, the Bigger Kids joined the military and were sent overseas to fight the war.

The Stengel brothers, James Gillespie and other members of James Cowan's Boy Scout Troop collecting
scrap goods and other items for the war effort along Norwich Avenue in 1945.

Pittsburgh Press newspaper carriers, also called Press Junior Merchants, also sold war stamps along their routes. The Pittsburgh Press highlighted a Brookline boy, Robert E. Templeton, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Templeton, on January 28, 1944, as one of the leading carriers in the sale of war stamps.

Robert E. Templeton

Templeton, a student at West Liberty School, delivered along Lamarido Street, Fernhill Avenue and Pioneer Avenue. Up to that date, he had sold 38,965 War Stamps to subscribers along his route, fourth highest among all Press carriers.

Besides being a newspaper carrier, Robert did odd jobs for neighbors and customers. With the money he earned, he bought War Stamps and clothing. At school, arithmetic was his favorite subject and he had ambitions of becoming an Aeronautical Engineer. As hobbies he built model airplanes and played the trumpet. Football was his favorite sport.

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Service Banners and Stars

As the war raged, here in Brookline, as in all other Pittsburgh neighborhoods, blue service stars began to appear in many of the neighborhood windows. On a growing number of these red banners, gold stars replaced the blue. By 1945, it seemed as though there were one or more stars displayed on every home in the city.

Service flags hung from windows were a a proud symbol that one of more members of that household were actively serving in uniform during the war effort. These banners were adorned with a blue star for each member serving in a branch of the armed forces of the United States of America. A gold star represented a family member that had fallen in the line of duty.

PTSD and The Military

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is something that affects many of our veterans who have served in combat or other hostile environments. For anyone interested in learning more about PTSD and some avenues to seek assistance, check the following links:

Understanding A Veteran With PTSD

Guide to VA Mental Health Services for Veterans and Families

American Legion Post #540
World War II Honor Roll

The 4.7 inch M1906

The original cannon that was on display at the Brookline Veteran's Memorial was officially known as a 4.7 inch Gun M1906. The gun was produced between 1906 and 1919. Of the 960 guns ordered, only 209 were produced. Some of these saw action during the 1916 Mexican Border Campaign and in France during World War I.

Not many of the guns have survived the test of time. Three of these are still on display here in Allegheny County. There are two standing in South Park at the intersection of Corrigan Drive and Brownsville Road. One other is on display in North Park.

An American 4.7 inch Gun M1906 was chosen to be the first cannon displayed at Brookline's Veteran's Memorial.

  
The two 4.7 inch M1906 guns on display in South Park at the corner of Corrigan Drive and Brownsville Road.

An American 4.7 inch Gun M1906 being fired in Texas during the 1916 Mexican Border Campaign.

The 155mm Schneider Howitzer

The Cannon on display at the Brookline Veteran's Memorial is officially known as a Canon de 155 C modele 1917 Schneider. The 155mm heavy field howitzers were made in France and used by the Allies in World War I. The weapons remained in the U.S. arsenal for many years as training guns. These howitzers also saw action in World War II, used by France, Finland, Poland, Germany, Italy, Spain and Yugoslavia.

  
The 155mm Schneider howitzer was one of the most common field guns used by the Americans in World War 1.

  
Left - An American battery equipped with 155mm Schneiders at Varennes in the Argonne, 1918;
Right - Live fire training by the 4th Infantry Division at Camp Carson, 1943.

  
Left - 155mm Schneiders after WWI in 1919; Right - U.S. artillery training in 1940.

The Brookline Monument - The Cannon - 1982

The Brookline Monument - The Cannon - 2013

The Brookline Cannon stands silhouetted against a colorful sky in the Spring of 2013.

Dan McKeever - The Caretaker - April 2014

On April 27, 2014, new flags were installed at the Brookline Veteran's Park. The flags were hung by American Legion Post #540 members Joe Nellis and Dan McKeever, who for the past several years acts as volunteer caretaker of the memorial. McKeever, a U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran, secured the POW/MIA flag, emblazened with the words "Gone But Not Forgotten," solely with the profits from aluminum can recycling.

  
Joe Nellis and Dan McKeever were instrumental in getting new flags for the Veteran's Memorial Park.

Brookline has always been supportive of our proud veterans, who have served our country over the years with dedication and devotion. Our community also honors the memory of our young men who gave the ultimate sacrifice in times of war, and supports the ongoing efforts of veterans organizations to account for those soldiers who remain listed as Missing in Action.

Under A Fresh Coat Of Snow - January 2015

Bus Crashes Into Veteran's Memorial - July 2017

On July 8, 2017, the calm summer morning was interrupted with the sudden crash of an out-of-control Port Authority bus as it slammed into the Brookline Veteran's Memorial. The bus didn't just wreck into the memorial, it drove right through it, then went over the embankment and smashed into the wall and railing across the street on Chelton Avenue.

The bus had made its' usual left turn off of Queensboro Avenue and then lost control. It continued into a full U-turn, collided with two parked cars then barreled through the memorial, hitting the 100-year old Cannon and dragging it along until coming to a complete stop.

By the grace of God, no one was in the normally busy park at the time, and there were no serious injuries to report among the passengers on the bus. When the wild ride ended, it appeared that the bus actually faired worse than the vintage French-built howitzer, which sustained only minor damage.

  
It was a chaotic scene as the bus smashed through the small park and came to rest on Chelton Street.

  
The Cannon's tow hook and recoil brace got lodged in the bus' window frame and was pulled along.

The park fence and benches were mangled by the out-of-control vehicle as it smashed it's way through.

  
McGann and Chester were called to remove the cannon and bus and take them to a Port Authority repair facility.

In addition to the cannon, other damage in the park included a couple crushed benches and a fence which was mangled and torn from its' foundation. Once police and paramedics cleared the area and the chaos died down, a crew from McGann and Chester loaded the wounded cannon onto a flatbed and delivered it to the Port Authority garage, where repairs could be made.

It took a while to negotiate the bureaucratic red tape to determine how to proceed with the cannon repairs. Still the property of the Department of the Interior, special care had to be taken during its' restoration to meet their strict guidelines and procedures.

By October, the Port Authority had made good on it's promise to repair the iconic Brookline landmark, and on the fifth of that month, a PAT maintenance crew returned the cannon to the Veteran's Memorial and placed it back on it's concrete pad. The Pittsburgh Department of Public Works had already repaired the benches and fencing.

To the astonishment of Brookline residents, the cannon looked brand new. The restoration went much better than expected. Years of rust, weathering and neglect were repaired. New tires were installed and the howitzer was painted in traditional Army green. For all intents and purposes it looked brand new!

It is amazing how some things work out. For several years a coalition of concerned veterans and citizens had been trying to get the cannon restored. Their efforts were always thwarted by government red tape and other frustrations.

In the end, it took a near tragedy to provide the urgency and lifting of restrictions necessary to effect the proper repairs and ensure that this community landmark, first brought to Brookline in 1946, is now in a condition to last another 100 years.

  
The park looked a bit out-of-sorts for a couple months while repairs were being made.

The damaged Cannon at the Port Authority maintenance yard awaiting restoration.

  
In early October the restored cannon was ready to be returned to it's location in the park.

  
After three months away from home, Brookline's cannon is back where it belongs, honoring our local veterans.

Brookline's historic landmark French Model 1917 Schneider 155mm Howitzer hasn't looked this good in years.

Decorated For The Holiday Season - December 2017

  
Brookline's Cannon and the Veteran's Memorial decorated for the Holiday Season in 2017.