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<p>TUNKHANNOCK &#8212; To honor all military veterans Wyoming County Cultural Center at the Dietrich Theater will present the play &#8220;The Last Thoughts of Gino Merli&#8221; by Tom Flannery at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8. Sponsored by a friend of the Dietrich, this performance will be free for everyone. In this one-man play, enacted in schools for over 36,000 students over the years, Bob Shlesinger of Scranton Public Theatre will play the role of Gino Merli in his later years. You may reserve free tickets by calling 570-996-1500 or they will be available at the door as long as they last.</p><p>Gino Merli (1924-2002) was an American soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor during World War II. Born in Scranton, PA, Merli was the son of a coal miner who entered service in the United States Army from Peckville, PA, and served with the 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. As part of this division, he went ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 and participated in the Battle of the Bulge in December of the same year. It was on the evening of September 4, 1944, near Sars la Bruyere, Belgium that the company was attacked by a superior German force. Their position was overwhelmed, but PFC Merli stayed with his machine gun covering their retreat. When his position was overrun, he feigned death. Twice he fooled German soldiers into believing he was no longer a threat, only to attack them again when they left him for dead.</p><p>For his heroism on that night PFC Merli received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Truman on June 15, 1945. In addition he received two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, the Battle of the Bulge Medal, and the Humanitarian Award of the Chapel of Four Chaplains for his actions during World War II.</p><p>In civilian life Merli took it upon himself to serve fellow veterans. He was an adjudication officer for the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Plains Township, PA. He traveled to the Normandy Beaches in 1984 in the company of Tom Brokaw and was source of inspiration for Brokaw&#8217;s book The Greatest Generation.</p><p>The Veterans Center in Scranton, PA, is co-named for Merli and Joseph Sarnoski, another honored World War II veteran. And Gino Merli Drive, one of the main roads in Peckville, PA, is also named for him.</p><p>&#8220;The Last Thoughts of Gino Merli by Tom Flannery is not just a tribute to Gino Merli, but also a tribute to all the men and women who have put on the uniform of our country whether it be in war or peacetime and who have put themselves in harm&#8217;s way,&#8221; Bob Shlesinger said. &#8220;I am so proud to honor him and all veterans by playing Gino Merli.&#8221;</p><p>For reservations to The Last Thoughts of Gino Merli, please call the Dietrich Theater at 570-996-1500. Tickets will also be available at the door as long as they last.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_12GinoMerli.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Gino Merli </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_12GinoMerli.jpg</photo0><caption0>Gino Merli </caption0><photoCredit0>Submitted photos </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Bob-Shlesinger-12.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Bob Shlesinger </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Bob-Shlesinger-12.jpg</photo1><caption1>Bob Shlesinger </caption1><photoCredit1>Submitted photos </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Times Leader Staff</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach the Times Leader arts &amp; entertainment team at 570-991-6109.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

‘Last Thoughts of Gino Merli’ at Dietrich Theater will honor all veterans