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Greene County to honor veterans with special ceremonies

By Steve Barrett And Dave Zuchowski 4 min read
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On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, the Allied Nations and Germany called for an armistice to cease World War I hostilities.

One year later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the nation’s first Armistice Day. The original idea behind the commemoration was to create a day of parades, public meetings and a cessation of business beginning at 11 a.m. In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower changed the name of the commemoration from Armistice Day to Veterans Day, which is now celebrated throughout the nation.

This November, communities throughout Greene County will honor the men and women who served their country in the armed services in a series of special ceremonies and events.

In Waynesburg, the Greene County Veterans Day Parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 with a march down High Street from Richhill to Lincoln streets past the county courthouse. The parade will feature World War II veteran Dick Davis of Waynesburg serving as grand marshal.

Parade participants will line up at 9:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church on West Street.

There will be a ceremony at the Greene County Courthouse with Retired Col. Ann K. Drach, U.S. Army, serving as guest speaker.

Drach was commissioned in 1974 and served worldwide for 28 years as a member of the Army’s Transportation Corps.

Assignments included leadership positions at Fort Eustis, Virginia; Lajes Air Force Base, Azores, Portugal; the Naval Supply Center, Oakland, Calif.; Ft. Richardson, Alaska; the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island; Fort Stewart, Georgia; Saudi Arabia; the Balkans; Gennany; and Washington D.C.

Colonel (Ret.) Drach is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, where she served with the VIIth U.S. Corps. She commanded troops at every level culminating in brigade command with the 1st Infantry Division. Other key assignments included battalion command in the 24th Infantry Division and Strategic Planner for both the Chief of Staff of the Army and the Joint Staff.

Upon her retirement in 2002, Drach became a defense industry business developer and analyst, working for both Burdeshaw Associates and Lockheed Martin Corp. in Washington D.C. She operated her own defense consulting business from 2004 until 2011, when she retired.

Drach holds a Master’s Degree in Business Management from Central Michigan University, a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and a Master’s Degree in Military Arts and Sciences from the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) at Ft. Leavenworth. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Kansas. Drach is also a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College and the War College Advanced Operational Art Fellowship (AOASF) at SAMS.

Following the parade, a free-of-charge luncheon will be served at the VFW Post No. 4793 on Lincoln Street for veterans and the public from 12 to 2 p.m.

“The purpose of the parade and ceremonies is to honor and thank all U.S. military veterans and their families for their sacrifices, promote patriotism in our community, perpetuate a positive image of the American veteran and foster pride in service to our country,” said Dalene Watson, director of the Greene County Veterans Affairs Office.

In Jefferson, a parade will assemble at the Jefferson Fire Hall at 10:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, then march through town with a 21-gun salute taking place in front of the American Legion. The parade will then proceed to the Jefferson-Morgan Junior-Senior High School where a program will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m. in the school auditorium.

Guest speaker will be past Western Vice Commander Thomas Shumaker. Following the program, Filer-Sadlek American Legion Post 954 will conduct a Post Everlasting Ceremony, memorializing those members of Post 954 who have passed away since the last Veterans Day.

Rogersville United Methodist Church will be holding a service for Veterans Day at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9 at the church located at 102 Church Street, in Rogersville. The special service will take the place of the morning worship service and will be led by Pastor Cynthia Deter.

Captain Wesley Conmer of the Air Force Reserve’s 911th Airlift Wing will be the speaker. All veterans will be recognized. State Rep. Pam Snyder and State Sen. Tim Solobay will make the presentations to the veterans. Everyone is welcome to attend the service, with a luncheon to follow the service.

Carmichaels American Legion Post No. 400 will hold a service on Nov. 11 at the town square in Carmichaels at 11 a.m. that will include a 21-gun salute, followed by a service at the Legion post.

For more information on any of the Veterans Day events in Greene County, call the county veterans affairs office at 724-852-5275.

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