FREE! DECEMBER 2015 Vol.12,Issue 7 Read us online at
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Pleasant Hills Resident Hikes the Appalachian Trail Page 22
BUSINESS NEWS: Facade Project Improves Charleroi Business District Page 36
MUNICIPAL NEWS: Monessen Council Votes NO SALE to Buildings Page 30
Local BMX Rider Heads to 2015 USA BMX Grand National Championship
VFW Post 914 West Mifflin Veterans Recount Service on Guam 70 Years Ago
C
ameron Bramer, a freshman at South Park High School, son of Jim and Rhonda Bramer of South Park, has had an outstanding BMX racing season. He was dubbed “Super Local” by USA BMX at this year’s Stars & Stripes national event, which was hosted at the legendary South Park BMX track. Cam threw down some perfect laps among some of the best riders in the country to accomplish a rare national trifecta – winning all three classes in a single day! He started off by winning in his open class against older riders, followed that up with another win on the big bike in the cruiser class, and won again once more in the largest expert class of the day! After an epic weekend of racing, he was pictured in Pull magazine and also accepted a factory sponsorship representing Black Crown BMX for the 2015 and 2016 seasons alongside current co-sponsors Dan’s Comp, Profile, SNAFU, The Wheel Mill, Liberty Sport, and Camp Three Clothing. After 30+ weekends of BMX racing and traveling around the country, it all comes down to the 2015 USA BMX Grand National Championship, also known as “the Greatest BMX Race on Earth,” held over Thanksgiving weekend in Tulsa, OK, and drawing in 3,000+ participants. As Cam is currently nationally ranked on both bikes and a top contender for national titles, he will be keeping his skills sharp and preparing for the big show by training both on the track and also at Pittsburgh’s indoor bike park, The Wheel Mill. Congratulations on a great season and good luck at Grands, Cam!
From left to right, members of West Mifflin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid Earl Birdy, Andy Yatsko and James W. Leerberg. All three men served on the island of Guam in 1945 during World War II.
By Michael P. Mauer
W
hen World War II veterans Earl Birdy and Andy Yatsko get together on the last Thursday of each month at the Thompson Run Athletic Association on Ball Avenue in West Mifflin for their Veterans of Foreign Wars meetings, they are keeping up a long tradition of being at the same place at the same time. A tradition of more than 70 years, that is. For complete story, see page 14