‘We Must Never Forget’
And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me and I’ll proudly stand next to him to defend her still today, ‘cuz there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA. — Lee Greenwood
?The 2011 Memorial Day weekend was a time of remembrance, reflection and honor, as many services and parades were held at various churches, cemeteries, monuments, and veterans’ posts throughout the county.
The events, which were held to honor soldiers past and present who have served the country – and in many cases, paid the ultimate sacrifice in service – were coordinated by the Greene County Office of Veterans Affairs. Services were held on Sunday and Monday.
The Messenger editorial staff attended many of the events, including services held in Carmichaels, Mather, Rices Landing and Waynesburg.
On Monday, Waynesburg American Legion Post 330, Waynesburg VFW Post 4793 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 123 hosted a service at the VFW Post home, with county Commissioner Pam Snyder speaking.
Snyder talked about the significance behind Memorial Day.
“As the unofficial beginning of summer, we must never lose focus of what Memorial Day means,” she said. “It’s not about beaches, picnics or auto races. It’s a day to remember. We must never forget what these heroes have done and what their loved ones have lost,” she continued. “There are many ways to remember our fallen heroes. The traditional is with flowers and flags for their graves or with observances such as this.”
Snyder said the men and women who serve their country should be remembered every day.
“Today, we pause and reflect, give thanks and say a prayer, and then we go back to our normal day tomorrow, safe and assured in the knowledge that we live the way we do because of the men and women who served – and continue to serve – this country,” she said. “Every day, we have one more sunrise and one more sunset than the soldiers we remember today. Let’s make them count. God bless all of our veterans and our fallen, and God bless America.”
Following Snyder’s remarks, a wreath was placed in front of the post’s monument in honor of all veterans, followed by the placing of three carnations on top of the stone marker — a red carnation paying tribute to all of the heroic servicemen who have died, a white carnation serving as a symbol of purity on fallen comrades’ graves, and a blue carnation representing an emblem of eternity and life everlasting for the nation’s fallen heroes.
The service was followed by a small lunch provide by the Women’s Auxiliary.
The Carmichaels Honor Guard, which is comprised of members of Carmichaels American Legion Post 400, Carmichaels Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491, Greensboro VFW Post 6303 and Bobtown VFW Post 5567, participated in a number of services both days.
The final service, which followed a parade, was held at Laurel Point Cemetery and featured a keynote address by Matthew Dickens, Master Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force.
The ceremony, which was led by master of ceremonies Kevin Martin, also featured an invocation and benediction by Rev. Regan Fike, musical selections by the Carmichaels Area marching band, the reading of General Logan’s Orders by Frank Kirk of American Legion Post 400, and ritual services by Honor Guard members.
Members also recognized three Greene County soldiers who are on military leave and were present for the ceremony: John Childs, Jake Hathaway and Robert Teagarden.
The Carmichaels Honor Guard also participated in a number of other services on Sunday and Monday, including stops at Glades Church, Muddy Creek Cemetery, Garards Fort Cemetery, Bobtown Honor Roll, Greensboro Cemetery, Greensboro VFW, Nemacolin Honor Roll and Crucible Monument Honor Roll.
Also on Monday, the Filer-Sadlek American Legion Post 954 of Jefferson presented a service at the Mather Post Office, with Rev. Donald Wilson speaking.
In his address, Wilson encouraged those in attendance to remember those who have served, and are currently serving, to protect the country’s freedom.
“What a great nation we have,” he said.
“Thank God for those who lived and died to preserve this land and our freedom. As we continue to struggle against an enemy that has no respect for freedom, faith or family, we must remember to give thanks to those who sacrificed…remember to be responsible citizens, preserve our rights, and seek to maintain the freedom of every man, woman and child.”
The service also featured musical selections by the Jefferson-Morgan High School marching band, followed by the laying of the wreath at the monument, the firing squad, and the playing of “Taps.”
Post 954 also presented services at the Jefferson Cemetery and the veterans’ section of the Greene County Memorial Park.
The Brooks-Crago American Legion Post 816 of Rices Landing held services on Sunday, including a parade and ceremony at the honor roll located between Hewitt Cemetery and Hewitt Presbyterian Church.
After welcoming remarks from post Commander Scott Lippencott and Rices landing Mayor Ryan Belski, the national flag, which started the event at half mast, was raised to full mast by Boy Scouts of Troop 1168 alongside the long recognized POW/MIA flag by Girl Scouts of Troop 51688.
The service’s main speaker was American Legion District 25 commander Herb Herman, who spoke about the lone table and chair with a full plate that was prominently placed in honor of the nearly 90,000 U.S. POW/MIA soldiers, who have been recognized since the start of World War II.
An emotional moment occurred when the Honor Guard insisted on standing at attention throughout the service even after being allowed by the post commander to take shade from the day’s heat and humidity and continued to hold their post until the service was complete.
As county residents honored area veterans by attending the many Memorial Day services, local officials announced important information that could benefit those veterans and their families.
Commissioners announced over the Memorial Day weekend that the county will offer veterans’ outreach programs at area senior centers. Outreach will be conducted on select dates at senior centers operated by Community Action Southwest in Carmichaels, Jefferson, Mt. Morris and West Greene, and at the Clarksville Senior Center, which is sponsored by the Clarksville Area Lions Club.
“The outreach programs are part of a continuing effort to connect our county’s veterans with the benefits and services that they are entitled to,” Snyder said. “We have thousands of veterans and widows of veterans living in Greene County, and many of them are unaware of the government benefits that they can receive.”
Greene County veterans have received more than $700,000 in benefits and other services since July 1, 2010, according to statistics released by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
The figures, current as of the end of March, show that $734,881 has been disbursed to county veterans who filed claims for compensation disability, pension for veterans and widows, retroactive benefits or other miscellaneous benefits through the Greene County Office of Veterans’ Affairs.
Of that total, $296,014 was for compensation claims, $105,856 was for pension claims and $333,011 was for retroactive benefits.
“There are so many veterans out there who don’t even know the benefits they can receive,” said Dalene Watson, noting that more than 4,000 veterans live in Greene County.
Watson, who was hired in February, will also visit county nursing homes to conduct outreach with veterans and widows.
A 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Watson was enlisted for eight years and was an officer for 12.
She served as a radio operator and medical technician during Desert Storm and was part of a Medical Crew that flew on a C-130, picking up Special Forces responsible for recovering downed pilots.
As a veteran herself, Watson understands the need to secure benefits for those who are entitled to them most and was excited about the opportunity to work in the county veterans’ affairs office.
“When I decided to enlist in the military, I wanted to serve my country,” she said. “Now that I’ve done that, I want to serve the veterans.”
The 2011-2012 schedule of veterans’ outreach for county senior centers is as follows:
n Carmichaels: June 7, Sept. 6, Dec. 6 and March 6;
n Clarksville: July 5, Oct. 4 and Jan. 3;
n Jefferson: June 14, Aug. 3, Oct. 5 and Feb. 15;
n Mt. Morris: Aug. 16, Nov. 15 and Feb. 21; and
n West Greene: July 21, Oct. 20 and Jan. 19.
For more information on veterans’ benefits, call the veterans’ affairs office at 724-852-5275, or visit www.co.greene.pa.us.