Luzerne Times

Rep. Dane Watro, a Republican from Luzerne and Schuylkill, has contributed several items from his U.S. Army service to the Pennsylvania House Archives. These items are now part of an exhibit that highlights current and former members of the House of Representatives who have served in the military.

"I am proud of my military service to our great nation and honored to be part of the 'Salute to Service' exhibit through the end of the year," Watro stated. Among the items he loaned are his military police armband and combat helmet.

Watro's military career began after he graduated from Hazleton Area High School in 1995 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was initially stationed at the Korean Demilitarized Zone and later at Fort Hood, Texas.

With the onset of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Watro decided to reenlist. Following training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, he was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, where he served until March 2005. During this period, Watro was chosen by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to join an American unit tasked with guarding Saddam Hussein. He received commendations for his role in combating international terrorism.

The "Salute to Service" exhibit spans major American military conflicts from the American Revolution through modern Middle Eastern engagements and recognizes House members who participated in each conflict. A distinctive feature of this exhibit is a collection of uniforms worn by both current and former members representing various branches of the armed forces.

The Pennsylvania House Archives is situated in Room 628 of the Irvis Office Building within the Capitol Complex. The exhibit is accessible to visitors Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.