Charlotte and Emersyn

Alaunna Malek, a ten year old from Monongahela, competed in the Pure National Pageant as Miss Keystone State in Orlando Florida in June. Alaunna is a fourth grader at Ringgold Elementary South.

A Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid West Mifflin has been selected as the VFW Department of Pennsylvania Chaplain of the Year.

Gene Staudt, a retired financial services professional, officially received his accolade during the state convention in June at the Wyndham Hotel, Gettysburg, PA. The post was notified of Staudt’s award by State Chaplain of the VFW Department of Pennsylvania, Rev. Peter R. Hook.

“This is such a great honor for me and I am truly humbled by the award,” said Staudt, a Vietnam veteran. “I have really been honored to serve the post in the position of chaplain for 10 years, and have grown into the office.”

At Holy Spirit Parish in West Mifflin and Saint Thomas A’ Becket Catholic Church in Jefferson Hills, Staudt is an active member of church music program and calls bingo for the Knights of Columbus.  He also has organized local car cruises, as well as the annual West Mifflin Memorial Day service at Mitchell Paige Park.

“Winning this award shows every member of our organization that we hold two things very dear – God and Country,” said All-American VFW Post 914 Intrepid Commander, Jake Bradich. “Gene Staudt has showed that not only in his duties as post chaplain, but also in his personal life. I am very proud as commander to have him in our post.”

Staudt earned the state VFW’s top honors through his outstanding ecclesiastical work. As post chaplain of VFW Post 914, Staudt is the primary contact for bereavement ceremonies and regularly participates in the unit’s monthly hospital visitation program.  He also leads prayer services at the weekly post meetings held at the Thompson Run Athletic Association on Ball Avenue, West Mifflin.

Staudt deployed to Vietnam with the United States Army as a soldier in the 23^rd Infantry Division.  During combat operations, he served as an artilleryman, fire direction control specialist and a radio telephone operator.  He was also attached during his tour to the 101^st Airborne Division.

For his actions in Vietnam, Staudt earned the Bronze Star Medal.  He was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

Staudt is retired after working more than four decades for American General Insurance and PNC Bank.  He has been married to his spouse, Linda, for more than 40 years.  They have a son, Chris, daughter-in-law Valerie A. (Bahur) Staudt, and three grandchildren – Hannah, Joshua and Evan.

For more information about VFW Post 914 and its activities, visit the group’s website at: http://traa.weebly.com/vfw-post-914.html

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach

A 2009 Ringgold High School graduate and Monongahela, native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise known as the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).