‘We will never forget’
Tracey Shaaf, senior chief petty officer of the U.S. Navy, “high fives” a Waynesburg Central Elementary School student at the conclusion of a Veterans Day Celebration held on Nov. 10 at the school. The event was of many Veterans Day celebrations held across the county.
Doug Wilson of the local 140th Pa. Volunteers marches with a flag during the Veterans Day parade in downtown Waynesburg on Nov. 11.
Retired Army National Guard Brig. Gen. David Szarell delivers a keynote address during the Veterans Day parade in Waynesburg.
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. - John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Greene County was a place of pride and patriotism last week, as various Veterans Day events were held throughout the area in honor and recognition of the many local men and women who have served or are serving in the U.S. military. And each service, program and parade gave area residents the opportunity to honor, remember, and express their gratitude to past and present soldiers who served and/or fought – and in some cases, died – for the Red, White and Blue.
Students and faculty at Waynesburg Central Elementary School held a special Veterans Day program on Nov. 10, which honored local veterans for their service.
More than three dozen veterans attended the event held in the school gymnasium, where they were treated to a wide array of patriotic activities conducted by the elementary students, including the Pledge of Allegiance, class presentations, numerous songs and poems, a video presentation honoring all veterans, patriotic sing-alongs, guest speakers and more.
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade, many of whom were dressed in red, white and blue attire, sang songs such as “America the Beautiful,” “The Star Spangled Banner” and “You’re A Grand Old Flag” and read a poem titled “I Am the Flag of the United states of America.”
Members of the Waynesburg Central High School jazz choir also participated in the program, performing a number of patriotic songs.
Guest speakers included Joe Ayersman, who served with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for more than 36 years; and Tracey Schaaf, retired senior chief petty officer of the U.S. Navy. During their respective addresses, both spoke about the history and significance of Veterans Day. They also talked about their respective military backgrounds and and what it truly means to be a veteran.
Schaaf also talked about the importance of teamwork, honor, respect, pride, courage and commitment, and how the students can apply these attributes to their everyday lives.
The program concluded on a touching note; as the veterans exited the building, they were greeted by the hundreds of WCES students, all of who were cheering, waving American flags and saying “Thank you” to the veterans.
Special programs were also held in other areas on Veterans Day, including Waynesburg and Jefferson.
The Waynesburg Veterans Day parade, sponsored by the Greene County Veteran’s Council, featured a wide array of participants, including various veterans’ organizations, local officers and dignitaries and emergency vehicles.
A program at the Greene County Courthouse followed the parade. Tom Boyd, retired U.S. Navy veteran and treasurer of the veteran’s council, served as master of ceremonies for the program, which featured a keynote address by retired Army National Guard Brig. Gen. David Szarell.
During his address, Szarell encouraged those in attendance to remember the contributions and sacrifices made by all veterans.
“Freedom is not free,” he said. “Some pay for it in dollars, but out military pays for it in blood.”
Szarell said only nine percent of the United States population has ever served in the U.S. military, so the contributions of all veterans should never be forgotten.
“We should remember our veterans every day, not just on Veterans Day,” he said.
Following Szarell’s remarks, the program continued with a 21-gun salute by James Farrell American Legion Post 330. The program also featured an invocation and benediction by Rev. Donald Wilson.
Boyd also recognized the parents of Army Spc. Gregory Cox of Carmichaels and Marine Lance Cpl. Steven Phillips of Spraggs. Both soldiers were killed while serving in Iraq.
Boyd concluded the program by encouraging residents to remember those who have served.
“Our debt to these heroes can never be repaid, but our gratitude and respect must last forever,” he said.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day in Jefferson, past and present soldiers who proudly served in the U.S. military were honored on Veterans Day for the 59th consecutive year, as Filer-Sadlek American Legion Post 954 coordinated a special parade and program.
Area residents lined up along Greene Street to watch the Jefferson-Morgan High School marching band, various veterans’ organization, Boy Scout troops and numerous local and state dignitaries participate in the parade.
As spectators waved American flags and displayed patriotic signs and banners, the parade procession stopped in front of Post 954 at 11 a.m. for the traditional gun salute commemorating the end of World War I and honoring veterans of all wars.
Following the parade, the crowd then made its way to the Jefferson-Morgan High School auditorium to attend the Veterans Day program and a service honoring five American Legion Post 954 members who died during the past year.
The program began with opening remarks by Post 954 Adjutant Tom Shumaker, the advancement of colors by the Post 954 Color Guard, a rendition of the national anthem by the Jefferson-Morgan band, an invocation by Post 954 Chaplain Thomas Keys and another patriotic musical performance by the high school band.
Also during the program, Keys was presented with a Lifetime Honorary Membership honor, for his dedication to Post 954.
The program also featured remarks by retired Lt. Col. Richard A. Harris, a 1969 graduate of Jefferson-Morgan High School. Harris talked about the importance of Veterans Day and why it should be celebrated. He also identified and recognized many local veterans from each war since World War II. He stressed that it was important for residents to remember the soldiers who have served and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Following Harris’ remarks, the songs of each of the branches of the military was played to recognize those in attendance who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and Marine Corps.
Upon the conclusion of the program, Post 954 conducted a Post Everlasting ceremony to honor their departed comrades who died during the past year.
Five members of the armed services who were members of Post 954 were honored. They are: Wallace S. Meyers, who served in the U.S. Army during WWII; Mario “Mike” Santelle, who served in the U.S. Army during WWII and the Marine Merchants during the Korean conflict; Dale M. Hockenberry, who served with the U.S. Army during WWII; Orlando “Chick” Virgili, who served with the U.S. Navy during WWII; and John Topolosky, who served with the U.S. Navy during WWII.
During the service, post members read the names, rank, serial number, date of induction into military service, any military honors, date of membership in the American Legion, birth and death dates. The records of the service members were then burned in an emotional tribute.
The service concluded with a traditional rendition of “Taps.”
The first Veterans Day parade, program and Post Everlasting service coordinated by Post 954 in Jefferson was held in 1952.
Finally, the Greene County Historical Society held its “Eleven-Eleven-Eleven” Veteran’s Day Celebration at the county museum. The event, which was held from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., featured various displays and exhibits honoring local men and women who served this nation in wars from the Revolutionary War to the most current wars in the Middle East.
The event, which was free and open to the public, also featured keynote addresses from Joe Ayersman and state Rep. Bill DeWeese, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Meanwhile, local veterans from all branches of military service were also honored in the western side of the county during a special program that was held on Nov. 6 at the Rogersville United Methodist Church.
The event was coordinated by John “Buzz” Walters, commandant of the Tri-County Leathernecks and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Rev. William Parker.
Walters served as master of ceremonies and Parker also led the invocation and benediction. Parker also read a special Veterans Day poem and helped with the service’s musical selections.
During the service, Walters and Parker talked about the importance of Veterans Day and remembering what all veterans have done for this country.
This was the sixth annual Veterans Day program that has been held in Rogersville.
The service also included the recognition of local veterans and a moment of silence for fallen soldiers.
Walters said that the Tri-County Leathernecks and Carmichaels VFW Post 3491 also held celebrations on Tuesday commemorating the 236th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.