Guy Prestia turns 100, local leaders celebrate milestone birthday

ELLWOOD CITY – Lawrence County Commissioner Dan Vogler wonders what this country would be like today without the brave men and women like North Sewickley Township resident Guy Prestia, who fought and served during conflicts like World War II.

Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court said veterans like Prestia put aside their own personal life and goals for the sake of this country and its residents.

“To me, I’m forever grateful to these veterans,” Court said.

Prestia, who served during World War II and was part of the first Allied troops to liberate the Dachau Concentration Camp in 1945, turns 100 years old April 26. A celebration in his honor was held last Saturday at the Ellwood City Area Historical Society. Historical Society President Everett Bleakney spoke and gave a letter of appreciation to Prestia on behalf of the society.

Following Bleakney, members of the Ellwood City American Legion Post 157 and the Ellwood City Honor Guard presented Prestia with a 48-star American flag, a case to hold the flag and authentic shell casings from the war.

Legion Post Commander Joe Fisher spoke and presented a letter of appreciation from the post, while the Honor Guard did a traditional gun salute outside in Prestia’s honor.

Mayor Court spoke next and presented a proclamation, followed by Commissioner Vogler, then state Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47, New Sewickley, who both presented citations from the board of commissioners and Senate respectively. Vogler also presented Prestia with a silver dollar from the 1970s that featured former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was General of the Army when Prestia served in World War II.

Bleakney said Prestia has lived a fulfilling life, noting Prestia has the ability to connect to children and teenagers with his stories.

“Somehow, he can speak to them and speak their language,” Bleakney said.

From the past: Never Forget: North Sewickley WWII vet speaks with Canadian students about his experiences

Prestia speaks on his service

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During the ceremony, Prestia spoke about his service during the war. He said he enlisted in the service when he was 20 years old, and was in the service for 3.5 years, including 511 days in combat.

More: North Sewickley Twp. vet fought in Sicily, helped liberate Dachau Concentration Camp

During his years of service on the front lines, soldiers would often get very little time to rest, he said. Soldiers often questioned why they’re serving, wondering when the war would end. It was in April 1945 when Prestia said he and his fellow comrades knew the gravity of their situation, and why they were truly fighting.

He said when they first walked into Dachau, they were not prepared for what they saw, as men who had seen their fellow soldiers die right in front of them were sick and horrified by the images and conditions of the prisoners.

From the past: North Sewickley man receiving French Medal of Honor

Prestia said over 31,000 people were liberated from the camp. Many were so malnourished that the soldiers were told the only “food” they were allowed to give them was small hard-tack candy or cigarettes, as giving them any other food would likely kill them.

Prestia said with all the tension in the world right now with the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, he prays that the world doesn’t have a third world war. He is saddened by how divided the world seems to be, and hopes leaders around the world are able to come together in peace, stating he wants people to follow “The Golden Rule.”

Daughter speaks on her father

The ceremony was attended by Prestia’s daughter Patty Partington, who said she’s thrilled the community chose to honor her father.

More: Ellwood Rotary Club recognizes local World War II veteran Guy Prestia

Partington said her father still has a fantastic memory, not only being able to tell detailed stories about the war, but remember specific dates and tidbits from his life, such as what his first car was, and how much he paid for it.

She said he feels honored that people are celebrating him and his legacy, saying he wants people to remember his stories, particularly regarding the Holocaust. He wants people to never forget the atrocities that occurred there, she said.

“We need to tell them the truth of what happened,” Partington said.

Nicholas Vercilla is a staff reporter for the Ellwood City Ledger. He can be reached at nvercilla@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ellwood City Ledger: Guy Prestia turns 100