Greene County to honor veterans with special events
This Veterans Day, several events in Greene County will be held in celebration and recognition of the men and women who have served their country in the United States Armed Forces.
According to information provided by the Greene County Veterans Affairs office, one of many events to honor veterans will be the Greene County Veterans Day Parade, which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11.
The parade is sponsored by the Veterans Council of Greene County.
“The community is invited to come out to thank our veterans past and present who have sacrificed their lives for our great nation,” said Michele Deems of the Greene County Veterans Council and parade chairperson. “Veterans in the county will be recognized for their service and dedication to the U.S. military.”
Parade lineup for all participating will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church parking lot on West High Street in Waynesburg. The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will proceed down High Street to the Greene County Courthouse, led by the Parade Marshal, Ralph Conklin, 93, a World War II veteran who served on the USS Kenneth M. Willett DE 354 from 1944 to 1946.
Deems said Conklin recently reminisced with her about his military days on board the John C. Butler-class destroyer escort. He served in the South Pacific China Sea and served proudly along the China shores as gunners mate. His brother also served in the South Pacific for three years; however, they never saw each other during that time. Ralph Conklin’s ship did escort his brother’s ship into Japan at one point, not realizing each brother was on the other ship.
Deems said Ralph Conklin recalled the time the crew of 215 members ran out of food and was awaiting for underway replenishment arrival by submarine, as well as the time a torpedo was launched at them and missed them but barely under the bow of the ship. He said his ship wasn’t any bigger than a football field back then.
He has been married to his wife, Jeannette, for 70 years and living in West Greene; the couple raised three sons and have three grandsons, one granddaughter and two great-grandchildren.
A program will take place on the courthouse steps following the parade; the master of ceremonies and the guest speaker were not announced by press time.
Also participating in the program will be James L. Farrell Post 330 American Legion along with the Waynesburg VFW Post 4793 as the Honor Guard. Immediately following the program, food and refreshments will be provided by the James L. Farrell Post 330 Ladies Auxiliary for all veterans and the public.
The Waynesburg parade is just one of several events being held on Nov. 11 to honor veterans.
American Legion Filer-Sadlek Post 954 in Jefferson will hold its annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 11. Participants will form at the Jefferson Fire Hall; others who are not able to march may either ride or assemble at the Methodist Church parking lot/Jefferson Senior Center.
The parade will begin at approximately 10:45 a.m. and will then stop in front of the American Legion at 11 a.m. with the Honor Guard saluting departed comrades with a 21-gun salute. The parade will then proceed to the Jefferson-Morgan Jr.-Sr. High School, where a program will be held in the auditorium beginning at 11:30 a.m.
The program speaker will be Sarah A. Smith, US Navy Veteran/E-4 and Veterans Director/VSO for the County of Greene. Following the program, Post 954 will conduct a Post Everlasting Ceremony, memorializing 11 members of Post 954 who have passed away since last Veterans Day.
Also on Nov. 11, Carmichaels American Legion Post 400 will hold a service at the Post at 11 a.m. with a 21-gun salute to honor departed comrades outside the Legion Post. The program will continue inside the Legion with the Legion Band performing, along with the presentation of the MIA and POW table by Commander William Ross. The program’s guest speaker will be State Rep. Pam Snyder. A luncheon will follow for all in attendance.
Veterans will be honored in other various events before and after Nov. 11.
On Friday, Nov. 10, a birthday party for the United States Marines Corp will be held at 7 p.m. at the Carmichaels VFW. All U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy veterans are invited to attend. A special ceremony will occur during the evening of celebration.
On Sunday, Nov. 12, the Rogersville United Methodist Church, located at 102 Church Street in Rogersville, will hold a special service for Veterans Day at 11 a.m. The program will take place as part of the Sunday morning worship service presented by Pastor Cynthia Deter. The guest speaker has yet to be announced.
Special music and a patriotic message will be presented. All veterans are invited to attend and will be recognized for their service to our country, with a luncheon to follow.
On Wednesday, Nov. 15, Harvey’s Aleppo Grange in Graysville will hold a “Veterans Appreciation Evening” beginning at 7 p.m. to honor veterans of any of the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans in attendance will be presented with a certificate. State Rep. Pam Snyder and other dignitaries will be present.
The veterans affairs office said the event will serve as a “Thank You” to the veterans from all branches and war times for their service to our country. Everyone is encouraged to attend, and advanced notice is greatly appreciated.
For more information about any of the Veterans Day services, programs and/or parades, contact the veterans affairs office at 724-852-5275.