Local Veterans Organizations Set To Honor Service, Sacrifice
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
They have been the best America has to offer.
They've served their country, whether simply serving state-side, staying prepared should they be called - or the many who faced the myriad perils armed conflict entails.
The nation - and Kosciusko County - will once again have the opportunity to show their appreciation and pay their respects to the millions of military veterans who have faced the danger, and even died, defending our freedoms.
Locally, the American Legion Post 49, AMVETS Post 43 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126 will conduct a joint service Thursday at Center Lake Pavilion, beginning with the posting of the colors at 10:50 a.m. The Warsaw Community High School Band will perform a patriotic medley.
At 11 a.m., to correspond to the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a Tolling of the Bells ceremony will take place simultaneously at the Pavilion and at the War Memorial on the Courthouse Square. The bells will toll for each veteran who died during the past year.
Tom Everett, chaplain for both Post 49 and Post 1126, will be the keynote speaker at the Center Lake Pavilion ceremony.
Immediately following the services, the American Legion Auxiliary will host a buffet lunch at Post 49, at the corner of Buffalo and Fort Wayne streets, and the annual turkey dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. for all Post 49 members.
Auxiliary president Tina Fuller encouraged all Warsaw residents to show their appreciation to the veterans.
"The American Legion, in accordance with its motto, 'Veterans still serving America,' is involved in making a difference around the nation and right here in Warsaw," Fuller said. "We are proud to be a part of this community."
Bob Lichtenwalter, Post 49 commander, also asked area churches to remember the veterans of Kosciusko County in their Sunday services.
"We ask the area places of worship to include prayers for veterans - living or dead, hospitalized, prisoners of war or missing in action, and those presently fulfilling an obligation to their country," he said.
Indiana's own Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Dist. 5), said he wants all Hoosiers to take time out of their day Thursday to remember America's veterans and the gift of freedom they have provided the nation.
"When you awoke this morning, or when you were driving through your neighborhood, did you worry about being arrested for voting for a certain candidate last Tuesday? Or did you you scan the sky for fear of an attacking enemy plane?" asked Buyer. "My guess is you did not.
"Our nation's valiant veterans put their lives at risk so that you could wake up this morning feeling safe and secure with the freedom to go wherever you wanted, to say what was on your mind and practice whatever religion you hold true," he said. "As Americans, we often take advantage of the freedoms we have been blessed to receive. Without these freedoms, millions of American lives lost in battle would be for naught."
Buyer encouraged Hoosiers and all Americans to honor veterans by attending a Veterans Day parade or service, visiting a veteran in their residence, nursing home or hospital - or merely thanking a veteran for their service to the country.
Buyer chairs the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee.
The following veterans will be honored in this year's Tolling of the Bells ceremony:
American Legion Post 49
John D. Belcher, Franklin H. Black, Gale E. Curtis, Donald Dustin, William L. Evans, Loren D. Gross, Richard J. Henderson, Marion D. Hunter, James M. Jernigan, Ethan A. Kaufman, Melvin H. Keck, Earl E. Ketrow Jr., Max L. Kinsey, Ronald E. Lake, William J. Marshall, Ralph E. Netzley, Gordon W. Nichols, James W. Rabb, Edwin C. Roberts, Andrew J. Sloan Jr., Chester C. Smith, Ralph C. Ward, Charles A. Werner, Donald Wiggs Jr., Robert L. Woodling.
AMVETS Post 43
Tom O'Connell
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126
Donald C. Bagley, John C. Belcher, Franklin H. Black, George R. Buell, Johnie Dove, Joseph N. Girouard, Max L. Kinsey, Donald R. Konopinski, Jasper P. Shepherd, Andrew J. Sloan Jr., Charles A Werner, Russell D. West and Robert L. Woodling. [[In-content Ad]]
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They have been the best America has to offer.
They've served their country, whether simply serving state-side, staying prepared should they be called - or the many who faced the myriad perils armed conflict entails.
The nation - and Kosciusko County - will once again have the opportunity to show their appreciation and pay their respects to the millions of military veterans who have faced the danger, and even died, defending our freedoms.
Locally, the American Legion Post 49, AMVETS Post 43 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126 will conduct a joint service Thursday at Center Lake Pavilion, beginning with the posting of the colors at 10:50 a.m. The Warsaw Community High School Band will perform a patriotic medley.
At 11 a.m., to correspond to the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a Tolling of the Bells ceremony will take place simultaneously at the Pavilion and at the War Memorial on the Courthouse Square. The bells will toll for each veteran who died during the past year.
Tom Everett, chaplain for both Post 49 and Post 1126, will be the keynote speaker at the Center Lake Pavilion ceremony.
Immediately following the services, the American Legion Auxiliary will host a buffet lunch at Post 49, at the corner of Buffalo and Fort Wayne streets, and the annual turkey dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. for all Post 49 members.
Auxiliary president Tina Fuller encouraged all Warsaw residents to show their appreciation to the veterans.
"The American Legion, in accordance with its motto, 'Veterans still serving America,' is involved in making a difference around the nation and right here in Warsaw," Fuller said. "We are proud to be a part of this community."
Bob Lichtenwalter, Post 49 commander, also asked area churches to remember the veterans of Kosciusko County in their Sunday services.
"We ask the area places of worship to include prayers for veterans - living or dead, hospitalized, prisoners of war or missing in action, and those presently fulfilling an obligation to their country," he said.
Indiana's own Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Dist. 5), said he wants all Hoosiers to take time out of their day Thursday to remember America's veterans and the gift of freedom they have provided the nation.
"When you awoke this morning, or when you were driving through your neighborhood, did you worry about being arrested for voting for a certain candidate last Tuesday? Or did you you scan the sky for fear of an attacking enemy plane?" asked Buyer. "My guess is you did not.
"Our nation's valiant veterans put their lives at risk so that you could wake up this morning feeling safe and secure with the freedom to go wherever you wanted, to say what was on your mind and practice whatever religion you hold true," he said. "As Americans, we often take advantage of the freedoms we have been blessed to receive. Without these freedoms, millions of American lives lost in battle would be for naught."
Buyer encouraged Hoosiers and all Americans to honor veterans by attending a Veterans Day parade or service, visiting a veteran in their residence, nursing home or hospital - or merely thanking a veteran for their service to the country.
Buyer chairs the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee.
The following veterans will be honored in this year's Tolling of the Bells ceremony:
American Legion Post 49
John D. Belcher, Franklin H. Black, Gale E. Curtis, Donald Dustin, William L. Evans, Loren D. Gross, Richard J. Henderson, Marion D. Hunter, James M. Jernigan, Ethan A. Kaufman, Melvin H. Keck, Earl E. Ketrow Jr., Max L. Kinsey, Ronald E. Lake, William J. Marshall, Ralph E. Netzley, Gordon W. Nichols, James W. Rabb, Edwin C. Roberts, Andrew J. Sloan Jr., Chester C. Smith, Ralph C. Ward, Charles A. Werner, Donald Wiggs Jr., Robert L. Woodling.
AMVETS Post 43
Tom O'Connell
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126
Donald C. Bagley, John C. Belcher, Franklin H. Black, George R. Buell, Johnie Dove, Joseph N. Girouard, Max L. Kinsey, Donald R. Konopinski, Jasper P. Shepherd, Andrew J. Sloan Jr., Charles A Werner, Russell D. West and Robert L. Woodling. [[In-content Ad]]