94-Year-Old James Welliver Receives Medals; Stanley Todzia Accepts His Late Father's Pins

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 10, 2012

MOUNT CARMEL (Feb. 10, 2012) -- It was a once-in-a-lifetime event for Steve and Jill Todzia of Shamokin.

With the sun shining through the window of a small lounge at the Mount Carmel Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Friday afternoon, the couple witnessed a military medals ceremony honoring both of their fathers.

For Jill, the occasion was a joyful one as she proudly watched Congressman Tom Marino present five World War II medals to her father, 94-year-old James Welliver. Welliver, a guest at the center, served in the U.S. Army from May 1943 to January 1946.

The presentation was a bittersweet one for Jill’s husband, Steve Todzia. Steve, a retired schoolteacher, accepted six Army medals on behalf of his late father, Stanley Todzia. Stanley died in March at age 84.

“A lot of veterans did their duty and went home,” Steve Todzia said as his eyes welled with tears during the presentation. “Medals weren’t important to them. I think they were just glad to do their duty and bring peace to a world after such a horrific war.”

Marino, the freshman representative from Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District, is making a point to see that veterans receive the medals they earned during their military service.

Serving the district’s veterans is important, Marino said, noting that he has hired a full-time veterans liaison to deal exclusively with veterans’ issues. Michael Knouse, an Army retiree, works out of Marino’s Sunbury office.

Marino also has launched the 10th Congressional District Veterans History Project as a way to honor the men and women who served in the Armed Forces. The project, which will include the recording of veterans’ oral histories, is being done in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Library of Congress.

Marino’s 12-year-old son Victor led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Marino makes it a point to talk with Victor and 16-year-old daughter Chloe about the U.S. military and the sacrifices that men and women have made for freedom throughout the centuries.

“There’s not a week that goes by that I’m not telling my children – my nieces and nephews, everyone – do you know why we have such a wonderful life?” Marino said. “It’s because of the hundreds of thousands of individuals who gave up their lives and the ones who are still doing it today for freedom.”

Welliver said he was humbled by the ceremony and the small crowd that gathered to applaud his service. Besides his family and friends, local veterans, clergy and staff at the center turned out for the presentation.

Also attending was state Rep. Kurt Masser who called Welliver a "hero for making this country like it is."

“I was fortunate,” Welliver said. “When I was over there, I had someone up there looking out for me.”

Welliver, who is originally from Shamokin, was awarded the Honorable Service Lapel Button; World War II Victory Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars; American Campaign Medal; and Good Conduct Medal.

The late Stanley Todzia was an Army veteran who served from April 1945 to December 1946. His son Steve received these medals on his father’s behalf: Sharpshooter Marksmanship Bade with Rifle Bar; Honorable Service Lapel Button; Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp; World War II Victory Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; and Good Conduct Medal.