The Gateway Travel Plaza
A Veteran’s Landmark
Some of the patches on display.
Along the Lincoln Highway in Bedford County, Pennsylvania sits a pretty unassuming little truck stop. The Gateway Travel Plaza was originally opened in 1940 by Merle & Marian Snyder. The current site was built across the street from the original in 1994 as more room was needed for the expanding operation. The Gateway was a pivotal travel point for soldiers & sailors who were headed from the Midwest to stations east during World War II. A barter system developed as the Snyders would often trade food or fuel for a military patch. After a while, servicemen would stop by and often give a patch as a tribute to the service The Gateway provided for our armed forces.
The 480 or so patches are on display inside cases and represents most of the major conflicts and service branches. The cases are located in the coffee shop area and a side corridor. The main dining area displays flags.
When I approached the staff to ask if they would mind my taking some photos so I could do a blog post about their history of service to our military men and women they brought manager, Carma Smith, out to meet with me. Ms. Smith was most accommodating and stated that The Gateway “takes care of our Vets.” She was certainly telling the truth. Don was able to strike up a conversation with a nearby table of Viet Nam era Veterans and shared information about the JFK project.
If you ever find yourself travelling along Rt. 30 in most of Pennsylvania remember that the Lincoln Highway was the first transcontinental improved road for cars in the United States. It ran from Times Square in NYC to Lincoln Park in San Francisco. When you drive through Breezewood make sure to stop in and say “Hi” & “Thanks” to the gang at the Gateway Travel Plaza.
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