Howe, Mayfield Honored At Veterans Ceremony In Warsaw
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Approximately 80 Kosciusko County residents and veterans gathered Wednesday at Center Lake Pavilion to remember those who fight for freedom. American Legion Post 49 conducted the ceremony. Jon Sadler, award committee member, presented the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 49 Order of Kosciuszko award to Bruce Howe Jr. The annual award recognizes a veteran who 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 the county. The recipient also must provide public service to law enforcement, fire or emergency services or to the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars or other veterans organizations. Howe served from 1943 to 1945 in the European theatre of World War II. He was a member of the United States Army and eventually became a first sergeant in the 839th Ordinance Depot, receiving five battle stars. He landed with his unit on Omaha Beach on D-Day and then went from Paris to Belgium and Germany. His unit was part of the Battle of the Bulge. Ken Locke, award committee member, presented Jordan Mayfield with a Meritorious Service Award. The award is presented to someone who has served his country. Mayfield joined the Army Nov. 29, 2001, and was deployed to Iraq Feb. 20, 2003. He received a Combat Action Badge and an Army Commendation Medal for infantry actions. Warsaw Community High School band performed patriotic music and an armed forces medley. Ray Bledsoe, American Legion Post 49, provided welcoming remarks. Dick Dobbins tolled the bells. Chaplain Tom Everett provided the invocation, remembering those who have lost their lives in the line of duty and those who are currently serving. American Legion Post 49 and VFW Post 1126 Honor Guard posted the colors. A 21-gun salute was given and "Taps" was played. Jeff Plank, Warsaw mayor from 1984 to 1996, was the featured speaker. He spoke about honoring service men and women currently serving and veterans. “You did not just serve or fight against something but for something, and it’s not enough to honor you without also honoring what you stood for and most importantly sharing it with each and every new generation,” Plank said. “Freedom will never be free and it’s our children that must know of the prices paid to enjoy it.” He said our nation is greater than any special interest group or political action committee. “It is the nation you served and in my opinion justifies God remaining our co-pilot,” Plank said.
