To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the formation of the Continental Army and to coincide with Presidents Day, the Village Library of Morgantown held a special event on Feb. 15 featuring several guest speakers, including state Rep. Mark Gillen, who spoke about the Berks County Military History Museum, and Twin Valley High School graduate John Trego, a member of First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. Matthew Sims, author of "Why My Heart Is Purple," attended the program via Zoom.

The Berks Military History Museum, located at 198 E. Wyomissing Ave., Mohnton, opened in August 2017 in a former wagon works building. The museum's motto is "Remembering Those Who Served."

The museum, which features displays of uniforms, weapons, flags and military equipment, as well as dog tags and medals worn by local veterans, is open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; other hours are available by appointment.

Items on display in the museum have been donated or are on loan. "I would rather (the item) be in your house. But if it will fall by the wayside and will get thrown out, then by all means bring it (to the museum)," Gillen stated. "We don't want your story to be forgotten. Why? Because it is America's story. It's not about stuff; it's about people and their experiences."

For more information about the museum, visit https://berksmilitary.weebly.com.

Next to speak was Trego, who presented a program about First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, a volunteer cavalry unit in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. The group was founded in 1774 by 28 men at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia; original members were from a local fox hunting group.

"What made it unique as a cavalry unit was that you needed horses and men who could fight on horseback," Trego said, noting that the troop fought not only during the Revolutionary War, but in subsequent conflicts. "We are believed to be the oldest continuously serving unit in the United States military. We started on Nov. 17, 1774. This past November we celebrated our 250th anniversary."

The troop is a private military unit, where members are elected. They also donate their pay back to the troop and aim to keep alive the skills of a cavalry unit on horseback by riding in military ceremonies. "We still maintain the cavalry traditions to this day. We ride (wearing) regimental uniforms, which are based on the original uniforms they would have worn, including bearskin hats," Trego explained. "It is not a costume. It is a dress uniform."

Currently, the troop has 67 active members, and it has its own armory building in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. It also maintains a military museum. "When I joined the troop two years ago, I always had a love for history, but it really was awesome for me to start participating in history and learning to ride a horse and learning how to present myself on horseback as a soldier would have at that time," Trego said. "It has been great."

To learn more about the troop and the museum, visit http://www.firsttroop.com.

Sims, the final speaker, spoke about earning three Purple Hearts while serving as combat medic. 

Following the presentations, Carol Quaintance, who edited Sims' book, presented horseshoe-shaped plaques to Gillen and Trego, in honor of the cavalry unit. Quaintance also presented a proclamation from the Caernarvon Township Board of Supervisors to Carol Donahue, library director, thanking her for hosting the program.

The Village Library is located at 207 N. Walnut St., Morgantown. To learn more about upcoming library activities, visit http://www.facebook.com/VillageLibraryofMorgantown or http://www.villagelibrary.org.