CAHS Patriots honor veterans during lunch
Retired Master Chief Ronald Shroyer was the keynote speaker at the annual veterans luncheon sponsored by the CAHS Patriots organization.
Rachel Basinger
Rachel Basinger
Linda Shearer, founder of and sponsor for the CAHS Patriots organization, thanked veterans for their service, Saturday afternoon, at a luncheon the organization held in their honor.
Retired Master Chief Ronald Shroyer took to the podium at the National Guard Readiness Center as the keynote speaker for the recent annual veterans luncheon hosted by the CAHS Patriots organization in Connellsville.
“Throughout history, Americans have always answered the call to duty at home and abroad,” Shroyer said. “They saw civilization threatened, and they rescued it. They saw democracy threatened, and they defended it. They saw our rights endangered, and they sought to restore them. They are true heroes.”
Serving three combat tours in Vietnam, Shroyer recountd a story about a friend who was lost in combat.
“Commander Ernest Stamm was a highly skilled pilot, and his aircraft, a North American RA-5C Vigilante, was the finest the Navy could offer for a high-speed Reconnaissance Attack supersonic jet,” he said. “While he was checking his aircraft, I was talking with his weapons officer, LTJG Richard Thum, about how soon we would be returning home to our families after so many months of combat in North Vietnam.”
Shroyer was 20 years old at the time and didn’t think much of it when Stamm relayed that it would be a tough mission, since his friend had said that several times before but always returned.
“I gave him the thumbs up, saluted him and smiled as I always did before takeoff,” Shroyer said. “He looked back at me and saluted me as if I would never see him again. It was then that I knew there was something different about this mission.”
But on Nov. 25, 1968, the aircraft that Stamm was flying was lost in combat. Although he managed to eject successfully, he was captured and died in captivity on Jan. 16, 1969. Navigator Thum was killed during the shoot down.
“On this Veterans Day, I will remember Capt. Stamm and LTJG Thum, and will join other veterans, spouses, parents, brothers, sisters and families who will take time to recall what Veterans Day is all about — that one day set aside to reflect and remember someone close we lost in war,” Shroyer said.
“As we commemorate this Veterans Day, we proudly and gratefully recognize the hardships and sacrifices demanded from and faithfully accepted by the millions of men and women who have defended our land in war and peace,” he added.
Linda Shearer, founder and sponsor the CAHS Patriots organization, said the definition of a veteran is “someone who at one point in his or her life wrote a blank check to the United States of America for up to and including his or her life.”
The organization’s efforts to support troops began in 2003.
“It amazes me that 14 years later, we’re still doing it, but I challenged the kids that year that we would continue these efforts until all of our troops were home or until I am called home,” Shearer said.
To date, the organization has sent 11,380 packages to troops who are serving in some of the harshest places on Earth.
Shearer said each package has a value of approximately $50 and the shipping for each box is about $14.
“We have somehow covered financially more than three-quarters of a million dollars in service to our soldiers,” she said. “I know we’re doing what’s right because I firmly believe God has blessed our efforts.”
Shearer added that just one percent of the United States population answers the call and steps up to join the military.
“For every 100 people, only one person today steps up and joins the military, and all I can say is thank God for that one percent — especially when we look at what’s happening in our world today,” she said.
The organization will be packing 200 boxes at the readiness center off Rock Ridge Road on Nov. 29 and will again participate in the Wreaths Across America on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
Anyone wishing to join the group for the laying of wreaths can call 724-322-1494 before Dec. 1 and reserve a spot on the bus.