WWII

May 18, 2023

Film Producer & Ellwood Native To Have Film Shown At Strand Theatre Memorial Day Weekend

A hybrid documentary/narrative film titled “Journey to Royal: A WWII Rescue Mission” will be shown Memorial Day weekend at the Strand Theater in Zelienople. Los Angeles-based filmmaker and Ellwood City native Chris Johnson, along with production partner Mariana Tosca, directed the 90-minute film that was first released in February 2021. EllwoodCity.org published a Q&A Segment on the film and release in May 2021. The film, which took 10 years to complete, honors Johnson’s great-uncle, 1st Lt. Royal Stratton, a World War II rescue pilot who died while saving the lives of nine downed airmen in the South Pacific. Tosca and Johnson…

May 11, 2021

V-E Day Celebrated; Ceremony Held On Saturday

Victory in Europe (V-E) Day is celebrated annually on May 8th to recognize the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Germany’s unconditional surrender. Ellwood City celebrated its “V-E Day” this past Saturday, which was the 76th anniversary of the end of war, at the World War Two monument in front of the Municipal Building. Ellwood City’s Mayor Anthony J. Court was the guest speaker and he spoke about the sacrifices that were made, the dreams put on hold, and the courage displayed by Veterans that help secure our freedom for our country. “It was an honor…

May 7, 2021

Film Producer & EC Native Follows Family Ties In Journey To Tell Story Of Local War Hero

800 missions, saving 576 lives. That is the story of local war hero Royal Stratton as told by his nephew and film producer Christopher Johnson, an Ellwood native. Johnson, along with production partner Mariana Tosca, directed a 90-minute film titled “Journey to Royal: A WWII Rescue Mission” that was released in February 2021. Tosca and Johnson, born in Ellwood City, traveled the globe to locate and interview the last remaining voices of the Greatest Generation in order to secure firsthand, historical accounts of some of the most consequential events of the war. The film has taken 10 years to complete….