Anthracite Philharmonic honors World War II veterans

July 06--A World War II veteran, George V. Jackson Jr., Landingville, made sure to grab a front-row seat Sunday for Anthracite Philharmonic's annual Fourth of July concert at the Yuengling Mansion. Ninety-one years young, Jackson was excited to hear music he danced to in the 1940s.

"Those were the good times," Jackson said, moving to the music with an American flag in his hand.

About 200 people attended the concert, which has been part of the Fourth of July celebrations in Pottsville for the last five years.

"Every year, it grows and I think it's becoming a tradition in Pottsville and part of the annual Fourth of July celebration and that's what we wanted it to be," Mark P. Thomas, director, said.

While the orchestra always plays Americana music at the event, there is a different theme to the songs each year. This time it was celebrating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. The concert featured three styles of music: patriotic, movie themes and pop tunes from that era. It included the theme from the film "Patton" and music from the HBO television series "The Pacific" and "Band of Brothers."

World War II veterans received two complimentary tickets to the show, Linda Kriner, manager of the Anthracite Philharmonic, said.

"I think it's a great night," she said. "The idea of the group is to give them classical music they can't get anywhere else in the county."

Keeping with this year's theme, there was plenty of World War II memorabilia on display inside the mansion.

Thomas said his father's World War II uniform was one of the items on display. His father, Russell C. Thomas, passed away last December and the board of directors of the Anthracite Philharmonic dedicated the 2015 season to his memory. Along with the uniform, there was a video of his father recalling his wartime experience to a reporter a few years ago.

"It was really neat to look at it now and see him talk about his experiences and some of the places he has been," Thomas said. "It's a major part of this nation's history and it's important to pass that history down. It's something I hope the family will always be proud of."

Jackson, who was enjoying his first Fourth of July concert, had a few stories of his own to tell from his time as part of the 101st Airborne Division and his participation in Holland and the Battle of the Bulge. On Christmas morning in 1944, Jackson recalled being hit with shrapnel. That metal still remains in his shoulder.

However, Jackson said he was still able to return home, get married and spend 62 years with his wife before she passed away.

"I have no complaints," Jackson said. "I'm living the American dream."

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