From the Hills of Shade Mountain to Europe and Back

About the Book

This book is the biographical story of Galen W. Weirick. It begins with his youth in the small town of Paxtonville, Pennsylvania. He attended a small one room school house in his home town. Galen remembers seeing people using horse and wagons to go to the local mill and store for goods and supplies. He recalls the lean years of the depression, and how his family was sometimes forced to kill deer out of season just to survive.

As a young man Galen went to work for the Paxtonville Brick Company. He and his pals would hang out at the service station. They would roam around on the Shade Mountain looking for white-tailed deer and huckleberries, and frequent the Maples Inn, as he put it "for refreshments."

When World War II began, Galen like so many others from small towns just like Paxtonville all over the U.S. answered his country's call to arms. He trained at Indiantown Gap, PA., Georgia, and Florida and saw active duty in time for the Battle of the Bulge and the Hertgen Forest.

After an honourable discharge from military service, he returned home to Snyder County where he met and married Christy Lauver (the author). He lived in Snyder County Pa. until the time of his death on December 23rd, 1997.

About the Author

Christy A. (Lauver), Weirick: Born in Washington Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania. Worked as a secretary at The Wire Rope Plant. Sunbury, Pa. Met Galen in Slinsgrove, then married and had one son Todd G. Weirick. Has served on the church council, in The Luthern church, and participated in parish life ministry of the church. After Todd was grown, had completed Real Estate and Insurance courses, and was an agent. Also was active in Taxpayers groups. Has retired and lives at the homestead of her parents, which she and Galen purchased after the death of her father. Galen passed away Dec.23, 1997.