Village of West Lafayette marks 65th anniversary of Troop Train Wreck
WEST LAFAYETTE – Residents of West Lafayette and the surrounding areas came together on Sunday, Sept. 13 to remember the 33 men who were killed in the Troop Train wreck on Sept. 11, 1950.
The memorial service began with the playing of the National Anthem by members of the Ridgewood High School band and a cannon was fired from across the tracks. Col. John Brant was the main speaker and said a few words about what he discovered when researching the accident.
“What I found most amazing by the accident was how your community responded to the accident,” he said. “It was just amazing, the outpouring of what you people did. I think there should be a memorial to the people in this community as well as the ones who died. I really would like to thank you for all you did for the National Guard boys in Pennsylvania.”
Mayor Jack Patterson gave a brief history of the founding of the Troop Train Memorial and then, the 33 names were read by three members of the original committee: Jewell Guinther, Duke Young, and Jim Shivers.
“The hell of war visited Coshocton County on Sept. 11, 1950,” said guest speaker Rep. Bill Hayes. “When these things occur, we muster up the strength given through God alone to do what needs to be done.”
The ceremony ended with a 21 gun salute, the firing of the cannon, and the playing of Taps.
beth@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
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