Remembering A Local Hero
By: Aaron Cheslock
Updated: December 10, 2012
ASHVILLE, ELK COUNTY - Lipple was one of the first men to die in world war 2 from central PA.
Lipple's family says he enjoyed life, was a math wiz, and could have done anything. He joined the Navy because unemployment was so high, going into the service was the only way to get work, and many joined at a Cambria County VFW post, named for Lipple, to honor him... And make sure he's not forgotten.
"The day of infamy, December 7th, 1941"
Bob Eyer helped put together a documentary on John Lipple, one of the more than 1,100 men who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Eyre says many stories of heroes from the World War 2 are fading, or forgotten.
"Our memories are fading, the number of World War 2 veterans, the lines are fading. And we wanted to document at least one person's life who this post was named after, and was one of the first people killed in World War 2."
John Lipple's brother Joe was in the Navy too on December 7th, but he was in San Diego. He says being late to join the Navy might have saved his life.
"At the age of 24, what a shame... I was going over there to meet my brother John, I probably would have been there, had I joined earlier..."
Thomas Lipple was born in 1946. He never knew his Uncle John. He says while watching the documentary, he learned a lot. But not just about his uncle.
"It was not just about John Lipple. It was about all veterans from World War 2"
Joe Lipple says he was taken aback by the turnout to honor his fallen brother.
"It's nice to know people don't forget..."
The USS Arizona was hit by two bombs in the attack. John Lipple was one of more than 2,400 people who died that morning, 71-years ago.
