Cosgrove to be honored in Pennsylvania hometown Aug. 14

Friends and admirers of former National Press Club President John Cosgrove are invited to dedication ceremonies for The John P. Cosgrove Center at the Pittston Area Memorial Library in his hometown of Pittston, Pa., on Friday, Aug. 14. Dedication ceremonies will be from 5 to 8 p.m. at 47 Broad St.

The center includes an expanded children's wing and can host literary and social programs, meetings, seminars and workshops for businesses and local organizations.

The library announced that "the center was inspired by the donation of the historic collection of books, papers, photographs, and memorabilia, along with the personal generosity of John P. Cosgrove."

Pittston is on the east bank of the Susquehanna River just south of Scranton and 230 miles north of Washington.

Cosgrove was born and raised in the anthracite coal-mining town and left for Washington, D.C., in 1937 to start a career that included service in the Navy during World War II in Washington and in combat in the Pacific, and 20 years with Broadcasting Publications, Inc.

In 2009 he presented the Pittston Library with his collection of items assembled during an exciting life that includes having President John F. Kennedy attend his swearing in as President of the Club in 1961 by Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren.

In 2008 he was the first recipient of the NPC President’s Award of Distinction for outstanding continued service by former presidents of the Club.