Welcome to another week!
The International Order of Odd Fellows led a fantastic Memorial Day program at Rocky Glen Cemetery. The Reverend David Bell was the keynote speaker. He spoke about a friend’s son who is now serving in the armed forces, noting how the military transforms boys into men. He listed the names of five of his Vietnam War comrades who died in the line of duty. Pastor Bell earned the Purple Heart in Vietnam. He read John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Rebekahs and audience members sang “America” and “This is My Country.” At the end of the service, the audience sang “God Bless America.”
Joyce Jacobs read a poem.
Fuzzy Shields reminded the audience that veterans from the American Revolution through the Afghan War are buried at Rocky Glen.
All veterans in attendance stood and were honored.
Air Force veteran Dale Shearer led a processional around the cemetery while Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, and children laid fresh-cut flowers on veterans’ graves.
Your reporter played “Taps.”
I also attended the Jamestown Memorial Day parade and service. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) dedicated the new Veterans’ Memorial located between the VFW and T Studio’s Restaurant on Liberty Street. VFW members, Jamestown High School marching band members, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts marched in the parade. One Jamestown Volunteer Fire Department truck brought up the rear.
The VFW offered a 21-gun salute at Staff Sergeant David M. Veverka Memorial Bridge. Afterward a Jamestown High School trumpeter played “Taps.”
After arriving at Park Lawn Cemetery, Nathan Nych, Mercer County’s assistant director of veterans’ affairs, gave a history of Memorial Day.
The VFW gave a second 21-gun salute.
Larry Onderko thanked the audience for their donations to the memorial. He said it wouldn’t be possible without the community’s generosity.
Both the Rocky Glen and Jamestown Memorial Day services included prayers and showed deep respect for our military dead. I am so thankful to live in a community that honors its veterans. More than that, I’m grateful to God to live in an area where people are not ashamed to pray at public, non-religious gatherings.
All God’s blessings.