2nd Annual Veterans Benefit Voyage

Saturday, November 1, 2025 | Hufnagle Park, Lewisburg, PA

Benefited: Central PA Wreaths Across America and Heroes & Horses

Inaugural Veterans Benefit Voyage

Saturday, November 9, 2024 | Hufnagle Park, Lewisburg, PA

Benefited: Central PA Wreaths Across America and Heroes & Horses

Salute to Our Nation’s Service Members

We hosted a private event on

Friday, May 17, 2024
10:30am-11:30AM

Along the Lycoming Valley Railroad at

Lundy Warehousing
360 ARCH STREET
Williamsport, PA 17701

Notable Event Attendees

Dignitaries Attending

Office of United States Congressman Dan Meuser
Office of United States Congressman “GT” Thompson
Pennsylvania State Senator Gene Yaw
Pennsylvania Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver
Office of Pennsylvania Senator Cris Dush
Pennsylvania State Representative Jamie Flick
Pennsylvania State Representative Michael Stender
Pennsylvania State Representative David Rowe
Lycoming County Commissioner, Scott L. Metzger
Lycoming County Commissioner, Marc C. Sortman
Lycoming County Commissioner, Mark Mussina
Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter

Veteran Organizations Attending

Koren War Veterans of Lycoming County
Veterans Affairs, Williamsport Vet Center
Expedition Orange
Mission BBQ

Veterans In Attendance

Don Bickel, Army National Guard (Mortar Platoon Sergeant)
Sean Davenport, Marine Corps (Corporal)
Cory Davidson, Air Force (E-4)
Mike Haines, Army & Army National Guard (Sergeant and Squad Leader)
Jim Golder, Navy & Army National Guard (E-4)
Dave Lister, Marine Corps (Corporal)
Steve McHenry, Army National Guard (E-5)
Justin Wagner, Navy (E4)
Josh Weisen, Army (E-4 Specialist)
Diana Williams, Army (E-4 Specialist)
Jurgen H. Williams, Army (Command Sergeant Major)
Harrison Briner, Army (Specialist)
Dick Robey, Army National Guard (SP4)
Gary Shields, Army (Sergeant E-5)
James May, Army (Captain)
Gene Yaw, Army (1st Lieutenant)
Douglas Lengenfelder, Air Force (Colonel)
Marc Tupper, Army (1st Lieutenant)
Kevin Bittenbender, Army (Sergeant Major)
John H. Barrett, Army (E-5, Sergeant)
Dave Jones, Navy (Third Class Petty Officer)
Bruce Reiner, Coast Guard & Army National Guard (E5 Petty Officer Second Class/E6, Staff Sergeant)
Gabriel Manetta, Army (2nd Lt.)
Chris Cassano (Koren War Veterans of Lycoming County)
Mary Eiswerth (Koren War Veterans of Lycoming County)
Lydi-Ann Gitschleg (Koren War Veterans of Lycoming County)
Dee Leiby (Koren War Veterans of Lycoming County)
Fred March (Koren War Veterans of Lycoming County)
Gary Mayers (Koren War Veterans of Lycoming County)
Don Nash (Koren War Veterans of Lycoming County)
Jim Paulhamus (Koren War Veterans of Lycoming County)
Howard Wilt (Koren War Veterans of Lycoming County)
Dave Lomison (Koren War Veterans of Lycoming County)

Gold Star Parents In Attendance

Jerry & Joette Deppen (parents of the late Matthew Deppen, CW2, Army)

Veterans Unit, Memorial Unit, and May 17th Photos

About the Military Units

In May of 2024, North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates (NSHR) dedicated and unveiled two Military Units:

• LVRR 9052 (Veterans Unit) and

• LVRR 9050 (Memorial Unit).

Decorated Locomotives

NSHR worked behind the scenes to dedicate these locomotives to United States military service members – past, present, and fallen. During this time, there was a lot of research, consideration, planning, and tears (out of overwhelming emotion and gratitude).

Members of this planning group consisted of NSHR employees who were veterans and veteran families.

It was important to NSHR to make sure these units would be a clean and respectful salute that would compel anyone who saw them to stop, reflect, pay respect, and give thanks to the men and women who selflessly laid their lives on the line in service to our country.

LVRR 9052, Veterans Unit

Painted in Camouflage Dark Sandstone Int (Coyote Tan), LVRR 9052 portrays the shadows of three soldiers saluting our nation’s flag. When soldiers enlist in the armed forces, they pledge to fight for country, knowing the risks.

NSHR dedicates LVRR 9052 to all service members past, present, and future. It honors their loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage, as they have chosen to commit themselves to the defense of our nation. The “All Gave Some” written on the side of the unit helps us reflect and remember the brave men and women who gave so much for us to be here today – enjoying the freedoms we have.

This locomotive serves as a reminder to be thankful for each US Veteran - having risked it all.

LVRR 9050, Memorial Unit

Painted in ANA 602 Light Gray (Battleship Gray), LVRR 9050 echoes the shadows of two soldiers paying respects to their fallen comrade, now remembered with a Battlefield Cross. Not all soldiers make it home. This reminds us there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

NSHR dedicates LVRR 9050 to all service members who have lost their lives defending this great nation. In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed. Freedom must be achieved, and many great men and women paid the ultimate price for this achievement. The “Some Gave All” should make you bow your head and thank those who sacrificed their lives in order for us to be free.

This locomotive serves as a reminder to pause and remember those who died - fighting for our freedom.

A Message More than Words (or Color)

NSHR knew there were many ways the locomotives could be decorated to pay homage. When it all came down to it, they knew the silhouettes that each locomotive reflects would be the most important message they could send. So, instead of using bright colors, camouflage, or red, white, and blue, the message is depicted in the silhouettes of each unit.

Originally, NSHR intended on using full-color flags on the noses of the locomotives, after careful review and reflection, they realized, while the flag is a symbol of WHY our service members step-up and a symbol of WHO they are fighting for, the flag is not what these locomotives are dedicated to. Ultimately, the bright colors of the flag distracted from what these units represent – being every individual who ever said, “Me,” when our nation asked, “Who would will fight for my people and their freedom and liberty?”

Before the Ceremony

NSHR’s first order of business of the day was inviting ten of their employees (who are all Veterans of various branches of the US Military) to their Lycoming Valley Railroad Engine House where these employees, and their families, were given the first look at the units. The Veterans were then issued a challenge coin and signed one of the interior panels of LVRR 9052 (Veterans Unit).

Pointing to the Veterans Unit, Jeb Stotter, NSHR President & CEO, told the employees, “This is for you. This unit is for you.”

It was important to NSHR to honor their Veteran employees by giving them this opportunity - before the units were unveiled to the public.

Just the Beginning

While you will see LVRR 9052 and LVRR 9050 pulling freight in regular freight service (including service on NSHR’s rail lines in Blair, Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Union, Montour, Columbia, Snyder, and Northumberland Counties), NSHR is also using them for another purpose - special passenger trips where the ticket proceeds benefit various veteran organizations.

When you see the Veterans Unit and Memorial Unit on NSHR’s rails, please take a moment, pause, pay respect, and give thanks – as these locomotives serve the purpose of reminding us to do. Our respect and thanks will never be enough.

The Veterans Unit & Memorial Unit’s Expected Tour of Duty