KNOX, Pa. — Knox Mayor Frank Agnello submitted the following story:

On the evening of March 18, Knox resident Paul LaPierre was coming out of Shippenville on State Route 208, and just after the old trestle, he noticed a man walking along the road, pulling a dolly loaded with black bags.

(Photo on left: Knox resident Paul LaPierre)

It was dark out, and Paul told me someone could easily have hit him. He became concerned about his safety, so he stopped and offered him a lift.

After asking him where he was going, the man said “Knox” and they chatted more. As it turns out, this man was traveling. He had everything he owned on that dolly, and he was on his way to Bristol, Tennessee, with little money.

Paul drove him to Knox to the American Legion, and buzzed the door to the club. Paul talked with club directors Don Hahn and Tom Amsler to see if there was any program in place to put up a veteran for the night.

The Knox American Legion (Post 720) came through and said they would “pick up the tab” for this veteran for a night at the Carriage Inn and a breakfast/lunch in the morning.

“We Take Care of Our Veterans” was heard in the club that night.

I went to the Carriage Inn the next morning around 11:00 a.m. and knocked on the door of room #15. There was no answer — he was still sleeping.

I did want to meet him, and I thought it was very interesting that he chose Knox, Pa., for his destination that evening.

Around noon he came into the dining room and had his lunch. After lunch I saw him in the lobby, pulling his lifetime cart along, and I offered him a ride up the road.

While loading that cart into the back of my pickup truck, I can testify that cart of stuff had to weigh at least 150 lbs.

During our ride he told me his name was Melvin Etheridge.

Melvin is a 73 year old Vietnam era Veteran who grew up in the south. He told me he has family in the Bristol, Tennessee, area and he’s traveling from the “east coast” to Bristol.

While Melvin was friendly and thankful for everyone’s help, he did not offer up much history, and I didn’t see the need to press him on it.

I asked him if it was okay to take a picture, and he was clear he did not want any pictures taken, and again I didn’t feel the need to press the issue.

I did take it he had been traveling along Route 322.

He told me he was in Clearfield the night before. He dropped off 322 in Shippenville because he thought he had better start heading south.

I thought Barkeyville would be a good place to take him, and I sensed he did not want to hitch a ride on the interstate. He liked the idea of being on Route 8 in Barkeyville.

I didn’t sense he was a crook, or a flim/flam artist or a druggie drunk.

I knew Woody McCleary gave him an envelope from the Knox American Legion Auxiliary, and I asked him if he got it.

He dug around and pulled out the envelope, it was still unopened. The envelope was stuffed full, and they wrote “God Be With You” on it.

He was very thankful to have it, and he stuffed it back away. I thought it was very interesting that he never opened it to see how much cash was in it — he was just thankful to have it.

I dropped Melvin and his lifetime cart off in Barkeyville. I trust he’s making it down to Bristol without harm.

We are blessed to live in such an outstanding community. Melvin did tell me that.

Mandy and Woody McCleary told me they will not take a nickel from the American Legion for the lodging and meal for Melvin.

Suzie Swift (American Legion manager) knew better than to give that check to Woody, and she tried to give it to Mandy, but no. They want to be a part of helping a veteran find his way along.

God Bless all the folks at the American Legion, and the American Legion Auxiliary for their generosity.

Paul LaPierre was a real trooper out there, stopping to help out a wayward traveler.

Another outstanding act of kindness was delivered over here in western Clarion County.

We are blessed to have these great people and great businesses in our area.

Mayor Frank Agnello
Knox, Pa.