Olean Gold Star Mothers Chapter 39

Gold Star Mothers officers installed for 1960
Row 1-Mrs. Theirman, Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Oppenheim, Mrs. Taylor.
Row 2-Mrs. Sorochin, Mrs Lynch, Mrs. Osgood, Mrs. Wallace, Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Carrig, Mrs. Vales.

GOLD STAR MOTHERS

The Gold Star Mothers of Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties instituted Chapter 39 in 1950. Mrs. Viola Foley of Troy Department President, assisted by Mrs. Shirley Doty of Hornell and her staff of officers, installed the newly elected officers May 19th in Olean.

Gifts presented to the newly organized chapter included two silk flags, a gravel made by a disabled war veteran, a white and gold altar scarf and a large Bible. Mrs. Mertie Peters, the president of the group, accepted these gifts from several mothers, whose sons made the supreme sacrifice.

In January 1950, it was announced that the members of Olean Chapter 39, Gold Star Mothers planned to replace Olean's Honor Roll in Lincoln Park that had been erected as a tribute to the young men and women who represented the city in the nation's armed forces during the World War II, with a granite memorial. Although the final design and plans were not completed the Common Council gave their approval for the new memorial. It was the intent of the local chapter to have the memorial in place by Memorial Day. Mrs. Faye Pelton, chapter president said, "We hope it to be a memorial to the boys, but also a peace memorial."

In April of 1950, their headquarters for the fund raising campaign was in the lobby of the Olean House, but contributions could also be sent to their Post Office Box. In describing the memorial it would take the form of a four sided granite column, topped by a terrestrial globe, with inscriptions on four sides. The base to bear the inscription, 'The erection of this memorial sponsored by the Gold Star Mothers.' It was to be placed in the center of a star shaped flowerbed, which would be filled with gold colored flowers. The memorial would be illuminated from sunset to sunrise every night by floodlights.

On a Wednesday morning during August of 1950 a simple ground breaking ceremonies for the Peace Memorial took place. Mrs. Faye Pelton, president turned the first shovel of dirt while the Gold Star Mothers looked on. Work on the construction of the monument was by the Collins Brothers of Allegany, and the Lundberg Granite Company of Westons.

Mrs. Faye Pelton, president of the Olean Chapter of Gold Star Mothers 39 unveiled the monument during the dedication of the Peace Memorial on Sunday, June 24, 1951 in Lincoln Park. Ivers Norton was master of ceremonies, the flag raising ceremony was carried out by Sergeants Michael Luty and Charles Morgan of the U.S. Marines Corps and Chief Petty Officer Edward Clickner of the U.S. Navy. The Olean High School Band played the National Anthem. Following the dedication, the Auxiliary served tea at the American Legion Post rooms on W. State Street.

The members of the Olean Chapter of Gold Star Mothers assembled at the Peace Memorial on November 11, 1954, for the first observance of Veterans Day. During two minute of silent prayer all the deceased men and women of past wars were remembered. Mrs. Margaret Carrig placed a star wreath at the base of the monument in honor of Olean's war dead. After a lunch at the Olean House a regular meeting was held at the American Legion post room, where officers were installed, with Mrs. Lita Wallace as the new president.

The Gold Star Mothers received a letter dated August 16, 1955 from Basil L. Eaton stating that it was the unanimous decision of the Bridge Dedication Committee to name the new South Olean Street Bridge "Veterans Memorial Bridge". The bridge would be dedicated in honor of their sons and the other Gold Star Mothers' sons who gave their lives for our county. A monument would be erected on which would be mounted a bronze plaque which would carry the names of all our fallen service men. It was to be dedicated on August 20, 1955.

The Olean Chapter of Gold Star Mothers 39 presented a new TV to the veterans at the Bath Veterans Hospital on June 18, 1957.

On December 29, 1961, a delegation of Gold Star Mothers witnessed Mayor Ivers J. Norton dedicate the Municipal Building to the Olean men who lost their lives in World War II. He made his formal dedication announcement in conjunction with the unveiling of a large plated plaque in the lobby of the Municipal Building.
"I not only dedicate this plaque but the entire Municipal Building to the memory of those boys who made the supreme sacrifice to keep America free," he said. This was his last public act since it was also the end of his six-year term. (This plaque had been presented to the City of Olean abut 1945 by the Olean Service Club Inc.)

The 1974 Roster of the Gold Star Mother, Chapter Olean 39 were:
Gertrude Frable, president; Pearl VanBrunt, treasurer; Alice Finn, Corr. Sec'y; Other members were: Frances Allram, Millie Bean, Josephine Best, Atholene Brown, Margaret Carrig, Faye Colley, Grace Denepole, Florence Forness, Helen Hunter, Lena Morris, Opal Oswick, Celia Rogers, Mildred Speaker, Blanche Stone, Carmella Valle.

As the years went by Olean Chapter Gold Star Mothers 39 ceased to be. But they will always be remembered for their dedication to the fallen service men and women, who had died serving this great country. The Peace Memorial in Lincoln Park stands as a reminder of their devoted love.

THESE DEVOTED MOTHERS SHOULD BE REMEMBERED

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