While attending the Pennsylvania State University at the Altoona Campus for my first two years of college, I participated in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Program.
To augment our military history courses, our Professor of Military Science arranged for several visits to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Altoona, PA and to the Veterans Home in Hollidaysburg, PA to speak with World II, Korean and Vietnam War Veterans and learn about their military service and combat experiences. Through their Veterans Outreach Program, we also made contact with numerous other Veterans living throughout the Altoona Area. These Veterans did not always have the same access to services as those who temporarily resided at the VA Hospital or the Veterans Home. As a result myself, and several other ROTC Cadets started to provide assistance to these Veterans.
While performing these non-medical related services we would speak to these Veterans about their military service. When not in class or working, I spent countless hours donating my time to assist our local Veterans. As a result, my Professor of Military Science nominated me for the annual Rear Admiral James E. Van Zandt Outstanding Community Service Award.Rear Admiral Van Zandt was born in Altoona; his maternal grandparents were Irish immigrants. In 1917 he enlisted as an apprentice seaman in the United States Navy and served two years. He was a member of the United States Naval Reserve from 1919 to 1943, rising to the rank of lieutenant. In December 1933 he toured the country with Smedley Butler to recruit members for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He was the national commander of the VFW from1934 to 1936. Mr. Van Zandt was elected in 1938 as a Republican to the 76th, 77th and 78th United States Congress and served from January 3, 1939, until his resignation September 24, 1943, when here-entered the service. While a Member of Congress he was called to active duty in September 1941 and served until January 1942 with the Pacific Fleet and in escort convoy duty in the North Atlantic. He reentered the service in September 1943 as a lieutenant commander and was assigned to the Pacific area until discharged as a captain in 1946, and retired as rear admiral in United States Naval Reserve in 1959. Mr. Van Zandt was later elected to the 80th and to the seven succeeding Congresses. While serving in Congress, he became a driving proponent for a Regional VA hospital in Pennsylvania, which subsequently resulted in its construction in Altoona, PA. In 1950, the VA Medical Center was opened to provide world-class health care to the men and women who have served our nation. By an act of Congress on November 30, 1983, the campus was renamed the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center.
After my acceptance of this Rear Admiral James E. Van Zandt Outstanding Community Service Award Trophy, it was displayed on my bedroom dresser in my parents smoke free home in Altoona, PA till I left for the main Pennsylvania State University campus in September 1980. My Mom carefully wrapped this trophy in white packing paper and placed it in a sealed plastic container with my other awards.The plastic container was then stored in my bedroom closet and remained there until the death of my Mom in 2006.I found the plastic container containing my old trophies while clearing out my parents’ house for sale and brought it back to our smoke free home in Manassas, VA. It continued to remain in the same plastic container and was stored in my walk in closet in our Master Bedroom. Since relocating to Fort Myers, FL, I no longer have the space to indefinitely store these childhood achievements. As a result, I am placing this trophy for sale on .
The front view of the Rear Admiral James E. Van Zandt Outstanding Community Service Award Trophy is shown in the first attached high resolution photograph. The trophy consists of four parts; the solid white and silver marble base, hollow metal column, plastic platform and gold color plastic male military figurine. The height of the trophy from the bottom surface to the top of the military figurine is approximately 16 inches high.The weight of the trophy is 2 pounds and one ounce.
The width of the marble base is 6 inches wide and ¾ inches high. It contains a brass plaque that measures 4inches long by ¾ inches high. The brass plaque contains the following engraved text:“OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE ALTOONA CAMPUS MAY 17 1980” as shown in the second attached high resolution photograph. Note: The brass plate has some minor scratches on its surface. In addition, there are some minor chips around the perimeter of the marble base. On top of the bottom marble base the number“80” is on the right side of the trophy.The number is made of gold color plastic and has a decorative base. The height of the base and number is approximately 2 ½ inches high. The widest width of the number decorative base is approximately 1 ½ inches wide.
The hollow metal column’s height is approximately 9 inches high and has a tapered width, 2 ¾ inches wide on the bottom and 3 ¼ inches wide at the top. The column has a two dimensional design. The furthest section of the column is gold. The front section is red with a gold center vertical stripe that is nearly 1 inch wide.The center gold section has an ornate design that includes a column of stars and an eagle with extended wings closer to the top of the trophy as shown in the third attached high resolution photograph.
The top plastic platform is approximately 4 inches long and ¾ inches high. It contains a brass plaque that measures approximately 3 inches long by ¾ inches high.The brass plaque contains the following engraved text: “REAR ADMIRAL JAMES E. VAN ZANDT AWARD” as shown in the fourth attached high resolution photograph.
The topper is a gold color plastic male military figurine. The height of the figurine is 5 3/8 inches high.
The rear view of this trophy is shown in the fifth attached high resolution photograph. This exhibit provides the rear perspective of the four parts of the trophy previously discussed. The most noticeable attribute from this perspective is the ornate gold color design on the hollow metal column.
The bottom marble base contains the original manufacturing company's sticker which includes the following information: “CHAMPION TROPHY MFG. CORP. 801 SEVENTH AVENUE ALTOONA, PA and phone number” as shown in the sixth attached high resolution photograph. Also shown is a green sticker with gold text as follows: “FINE MARBLE BASE MADE IN ITALY” attached by the marble base manufacturer.
The right side view of this trophy is shown in the seventh attached high resolution photograph. Note: There are some minor chips around the perimeter of the marble base.
The left side view of this trophy is shown in the eighth attached high resolution photograph. Note: The plastic number “80” slightly leans inward. There are also some minor chips around the perimeter of the marble base.
The top view of this trophy is shown in the ninth attached high resolution photograph.
The bottom view of this trophy is shown in the tenth attached high resolution photograph. This exhibit shows the two metal screws and lug nuts. The hole on the left holds the four component pieces of the trophy together. The hole on the right holds the plastic number “80”. Each corner of the marble base has a round felt pad furniture / surface protector.
This trophy contains all the vintage era components of those that were produced in the 1980’s and is outstanding condition for being over 40 years old.
Note: Photographs are an important part of my description; please review all photographs before purchasing. If my photographs and or description are lacking something of importance, please ask questions prior to purchasing. Thanks!
