Community Remembers Veterans At Center Lake Pavilion
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
The community gathered Monday to pay tribute to those who are currently serving and who have lost their lives in the line of battle. The annual Veterans Day Ceremony, hosted by American Legion Post 49 and Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post 1126, was at Center Lake Pavilion. John Sadler, Sons of the American Legion member, presented The Sons of the American Legion Squadron 49 Order of Kosciuszko Award and a Meritorious Service Award during the ceremony. The Order Of Kosciuszko Award was presented to Philip Porter, American Legion Post 49 Honor Guard member. Porter has been a member of the honor guard for the past 20 years. He was recognized Monday for his service in helping honor deceased veterans by serving on the honor guard. The Order of Kosciuszko Award recognizes a veteran that has provided exceptional service to God, country and others in the spirit of Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Revolutionary War hero. To qualify for the award, a person must be an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, a Kosciusko County resident for no less than five years and provide exceptional volunteer or public service to others in Kosciusko County. Porter said he was honored to receive the award. “It is an extreme honor to be with you and I hope each and every one of you appreciates what people did and are doing in the wars,” Porter said. Porter is a life member of the Ehinger Brothers VFW Post 8141, Calumet City, Ill., where he served as post commander. Porter enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 1944 and completed basic training at Fort McClellan, Ala. He was then reassigned to serve in LaHavre, Fla. He also served near Salsburg, Australia, for 10 months. He was discharged in 1946 and received the World War II Victory Medal and Occupational Medal of Austria. The Meritorious Service Award was presented to Oakwood Cemetery. The award was presented to a group that provides exceptional service to veterans. Sadler said the cemetery received the award for the recent addition of the five flags flown at the entrance of the cemetery representing the military branches. The cemetery also was recognized for the annual Memorial Day service that is held at the cemetery. Hal Heagy, Oakwood Cemetery sexton; Kevin Planck, cemetery board president; and Jerry Frush, city council representative, accepted the award. “It’s an honor to serve you. My father served, I did not but because of you I am free,” Heagy told the audience. Heagy said his father served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Chuck Hartman, American Legion Post 49 commander, introduced the Rev. Roy C. Blake, guest speaker. Blake spoke about how the military is committed to protecting and serving. He encouraged the community to protect its moral, social and Biblical values. “We need to return to the spiritual values that the world was built upon. All of the founding fathers were not born-again believers, but had a conscience that this is the way America should be built for God-fearing people,” Blake said. “They forfeited their lives for their love, liberty and the Constitution.” Kosciusko County Extension Choir sang an Armed Forces medley where veterans stood up when the branch of the military they served in was played and attendees applauded. Rex Rife, VFW Post 1126 commander, and Mike Davis, American Legion Post 49 adjutant, read names of deceased veterans who have died in the last year. American Legion Post 49 and VFW Post 1126 Honor Guards posted the colors. A 21-gun salute was provided and “Taps” was played. Dick Dobbins tolled the bells and Tom Everett, chaplain, provided an invocation praying for those missing in action, those killed and those currently fighting. He also prayed for peace and comfort to be brought to their families. Abe Wertenberger tolled the bells at the Kosciusko County courthouse.
