Published: April 19, 2008 11:49 pm      

Vietnam veterans to roast Cernic

Ed Cernic Sr., a well-known local businessman, will be the target of a roast being organized by Johnstown-based Laurel Highlands Chapter 364, Vietnam Veterans of America.

Cernic, of West Taylor Township, heads Cernic’s Inc. at 500 Cooper Ave. in the township.

Among his many activities are as a member of the state Transportation Commission and chairman of Greater Johnstown Water Authority.

He is on the boards of directors of AmeriServ Bank and Skills of Pennsylvania.

He is a good friend of Gov. Ed Rendell and was the guest of honor in the summer at a picnic hosted by Rendell at the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg.

Rendell said he organized the event because he had been unable to attend Cernic’s annual picnic in Johnstown in 2006 and 2007.

Cernic is an Army veteran.

The roast will be held May 1 at Mirage Banquet Room, 800 Scalp Ave., Richland Township.

There will be a dinner at 6:30 p.m. with the roast beginning at 7:30 p.m.

State Rep. Ed Wojnaroski, D-Johnstown, will be master of ceremonies.

Scheduled roasters are Gary Costlow and Bob “Gunner” Gleason, local lawyers; Nick Jacobs, president of Windber Medical Center and Windber Research Institute; Tom Kurtz, a local business consultant; and Bill Polacek, founder and CEO of Johnstown Welding & Fabrication Industries.

Jacobs and Kurtz will team up to toss slings and arrows at Cernic.

The roast/dinner is Chapter 364’s major fundraising activity.

Proceeds will help support a variety of chapter activities, including scholarship programs, Salvation Army Christmas dinner, soldier support groups, counseling programs, assistance to needy families and its work with incarcerated veterans.

Individual tickets are $40 and available at Cernic’s Suzuki, 500 Cooper Ave.; Richland Plastics & Engraving at 624 Lamberd Ave., Geistown; and Veterans Leadership Program at 727 Goucher St., Upper Yoder Township.

Tickets also are available by calling the Veterans Leadership Program office at 255-7209.

Corporate tables and sponsorships also are available by calling that number.

The deadline to purchase tickets is April 28. Seating is limited, and no tickets will be sold at the door, said Tom Haberkorn, Chapter 364 president.