Out & About: West Overton hosts World War II Victory Ball

Shirley McMarlin
Monday, May 27, 2019 1:30 a.m. | Monday, May 27, 2019 1:30 a.m.

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Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Emily Borek, 6, Allison Borek, 10, Brooke Borek and John Borek, all of Somerset, gather in a 1942 Ford GPW “Jeep” for a photo during the World War II Victory Ball, held May 25 at West Overton Museums in Scottdale.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Dan Reilly and Brittany Cooper, both of Hempfield, pose for a photo May 25 during the World War II Victory Ball at West Overton Museums in Scottdale.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

West Overton Museums Executive Director Jessica Kadie-Barclay and Manager of Learning and Guest Experience Aaron Hollis pose for a photo May 25 during the World War II Victory Ball at West Overton Museums in Scottdale.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Julia Sefcheck of Scottdale and her husband, Jeff Sefcheck, dressed to represent his grandfather, a World War II veteran of the Navy, pose for a photo May 25 during the World War II Victory Ball at West Overton Museums in Scottdale.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Linette and Wesley Wagner of Confluence, Somerset County, pose for a photo May 25 during the World War II Victory Ball at West Overton Museums in Scottdale.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

World War II veteran of the Navy Joe Motto of Greensburg and Betty Rua of Greensburg pose for a photo May 25 during the World War II Victory Ball at West Overton Museums in Scottdale .

West Overton Museum’s World War II Victory Ball covered a lot of territory.

Aaron Hollis, event organizer and director of education at the East Huntingdon historical complex, said the Memorial Day weekend event was held to honor local military heroes, to sustain the legacy of the music and dance of the 1940s, to support West Overton’s educational programs and “to have a good time.”

Mission accomplished.

The Westmoreland County Young Marines Color Guard presented the colors and emcee Leroy Ferri explained the tradition of the missing man table, a small table set for one with symbolic elements in honor of fallen, missing or imprisoned military service members.

The Wally Gingers Orchestra provided the soundtrack for the after-dinner dance. Chris Drum and Dancers showed ’em how it’s done with a swing dance performance.

Special guests included WWII veterans Carl King, Arthur McGann, Robert Oplinger and Joe Lotto.

Seen: West Overton managing director Jessica Kadie-Barclay, John and Amy Faith, Barbara Ferrier, Cora Ferri, Betty Rua, Alexandria Lacombe, Dennis and Fran Nebiolo, Eric and Jami Lilley, Hal and Jackie Corson, Laura Bibel and Scott Miller, Lori Anderson and Paul Marini, John and Judy McChesney and Alyssa Bruno Walls, portraying Rosie the Riveter..

John Borek, with wife Brooke and daughters Emily and Allison, traveled from Somerset to display his 1942 Ford GPW, the automaker’s equivalent of a WWII Jeep.