Westmoreland Co. Mayor Called To Active Duty In Iraq

Smithton Borough Mayor Robert Prah Jr. is about to pull double-duty; he is heading to war.

Mayor Prah is also a first lieutenant in the 110th infantry out of Mount Pleasant, and now he’s being called to active duty in Iraq.

“I had my physical in April and had an idea this would happen,” Prah said. “It wasn’t until last week when I knew it was official.”

Prah is one of some 4,000 troops being activated in one of the bigger call-ups in Pennsylvania history.

Prah was the country’s youngest mayor when he was elected at 22 years old. Now, at age 26, he intends to run again, even though he’ll be away in Iraq.

“My wife’s going to take care of the petition for me,” he said.