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Your support is important and We thank you for continuing
to support this worthy cause! |
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The Harrisburg Bicycle Club and The Pennsylvania
State Police Historical, Educational and Memorial Center are pleased to present the 5th
Annual State Police Benefit Bicycle Ride Saturday, April 25, 2009 Hershey, Pennsylvania.
This unique bicycling event begins and ends in Hershey Pennsylvania. Proceeds from
this ride go to support the Pennsylvania State Police Historical Educational &
Memorial Center |
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Get details here! |
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| PENNSYLVANIA
STATE POLICE HISTORICAL, EDUCATIONAL & MEMORIAL CENTER |
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| Through this web
site, and in particular, this newsletter, we will keep you informed about the Pennsylvania
State Police Historical, Educational and Memorial Center plus other PSP news events. |
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Behind Enemy Lines |
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Newspaper tells of a military raid made during
WWII behind enemy lines. |
Ret. State Police Sgt. Louis Gazza, who served from 1947-1977 was a 21 year old
American soldier on the Los Banos raid. Sgt. Louis Gazza was serving with the 672nd
Amphibian Tractor Battalion.
With the invasion of the Philippines Gen. Douglas MacArthur ordered every effort be
made to free prisoners, both military and civilian, held by the Japanese since the start
of the war. On Feb. 23, 1945 American paratroopers, amphibious tractors, and Filipino
forces, made what would become known as the Los Banos Raid.
The amphibious tractors, Lou Gazza’s unit, transported troops through the
jungle and across a lake to a point 35 miles into Japanese lines, close to the internment
camp. The combined use of these forces, and surprise to the enemy, effected the capture of
the camp. The operation was successful with over 2000 people rescued and transported to
safety by the tractors.
There had been an expectation of heavy casualties however no American troops were
lost. Two Filipino scouts were killed.
A memorial at Los Banos marks their loss. Since 1965 the veterans of the 672nd hold
a reunion every two years. In attendance are veterans, survivors of the prison camp, and
family members. Lou remarked, “Every reunion has survivors of the camp represented.
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To this day they are so appreciative of the rescue.” Gen. MacArthur wrote,
following the raid, “Nothing could be more satisfying to a soldier’s heart than
this rescue. I am deeply grateful. God was with us today.”
The History channel airs this story periodically, “Rescue at Dawn: The Los
Banos Raid.” To read more is E.M. Flanagan’s book “The
Los Banos Raid.”
The information for this story is from the Greenville Record -Argus and Sgt.
Louis Gazza, of Belle Vernon.
Response to story in next column... |
| (Courtesy of Tpr. Jack Haase,
PSP ret. "Retirees' Scoops") |
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CURRENT EXHIBITS
(Mini-Museum) View Tour Promo |
We currently have PSP historical exhibits at
HEMC. Tours of the "Mini-Museum" are free and scheduled by calling PSP-HEMC. The
Mini-Museum provides only a small glimpse of what the future museum will be like when
completed. Contributions are still needed to help build the actual center.
exhibit page. |
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| Learn about President Theodore
Roosevelt's visit to the Wyoming Barracks in 1910. |
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Tours
If you are interested in touring the Mini-museum please contact us.
For details... Click here! |
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| Farm Show- PSP Throw Raffle Winner |
| *The winner of the Farm Show- PSP Throw Raffle was Jerry D. Kreider,
from West Chester, PA |
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| We would like for you to have
an enjoyable and pleasant experience when visiting us... just like we will offer to the
visitors of the center when it's complete. |
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View Top column |
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Column 2
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Architectural Rendering of PSP-HEMC |
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Active, Retired, Family and
Friends can help with the ongoing efforts to establish the Pennsylvania State Police
Museum.
Sign the Petition
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Pennsylvania State Police Annual Memorial Soldiers of the
Law Ride
In conjunction with the annual State Police Memorial Service, and
the PSP Historical, Educational and Memorial Center presents the Soldiers of the Law Ride.
April 25, 2009 More
details |
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Major
Homer Redd, PSP Ret.
(WWll photo) |
Retired
Major Homer L. Redd, of Legonier, who served from 1946-1983, wrote in response to the
story about retired Sgt. Louis Gazza, and the Los Banos raid during WWll. “I read the
article in the Communicator that Sgt. Louis Gazza wrote.....and it brought back the memory
of the Los Banos Raid. I was a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division.
We surprised the Japanese, they never knew what hit them. The prisoners were from all
different countries and they remarked when they saw us floating down to earth from the
sky....the Angels were coming to release them. I wish that I had known Sgt. Gazza that
day.
The 11th Airborne was staffed by a lot of Pennsylvania soldiers. They nicknamed us the
“Angels”, we were not Angels as far as I was concerned. I’m deeply
gratified to the 62nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion,” (Sgt. Gazza’s unit), “
they were the battalion that took us out and across the lake, after the raid. We were 25
miles behind the lines. The only casualty we suffered was one of my men shot himself in
the hand cleaning his rifle. I talked with Sgt. Gazza many times in the State Police but
never knew he was at Los Banos on Feb. 23, 1945. I know now why Sgt. Gazza was a wonderful
person and an excellent State Trooper. Respectfully Submitted Homer L. Redd, (Ret.) Major,
Penna. State Police.” |
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| Please do
not send or submit items for the State Police Center to individuals who claim to be from
the H.E.M.C. You can call the office at 1-717-534-0565 to check on who is authorized
to accept items on behalf of the museum portion of the Center. |
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PSP-HEMC
HOURS |
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The Pa State Police H.E.M.C. Operations offices are in Hershey, Pa at 187
East Hershey Park Drive. Office hours may vary at times but generally, you can reach
us
Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 5:30pm.
*Special Weekend
Operational Hours & Events
If
you are traveling from a distance, call ahead! (We are closed Saturdays, Sundays and
for state holidays, and occasionally we are closed if out of town doing a
show). You can reach us or leave a message at phone 717-534-0565, or e-mail, psphemc@gmail.com
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