Church offers prayers for veterans
On Sunday, May 26, St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels will offer prayers for the health and well being of veterans and those actively serving in the armed forced. Forty-one veterans are buried on the church grounds. World War II veteran Pete Smargie has arranged for the acquisition of new flags to be placed on the graves of the departed veterans. Smargie is known for his work with veterans’ affairs. U.S. Marine veteran Rick Rodavich, caretaker of St. George Cemetery, will place the flags on the graves.
Veteran Albert George Rodavich was recently recognized by the church at the patronal feast celebration for completing construction on the new classroom in the church hall. World War II Merchant Marine veteran Joe Katusa gave a speech this past week to a maritime radio operators convention in Pittsburgh. Millicent Hunchuk, parish executive board secretary, and parish nurse practitioner, is among the active veterans of the parish.
St. George Choir member and frequent Epistle reader Gerald Milosevich is a veteran. His brother and business partner Grover Milosevich is also a veteran. The Milosevich brothers served on the parish executive board for many years.
Carmichaels businessman Milosh “Serb’ Krewasky is a veteran who regularly takes photographs of events at St. George and is known for overseeing the lamb roasting for church picnics. He has also served on the parish executive board.
Masontown’s businessman and former parish executive member Stan Brozik is a U.S. Marine veteran. Brozik’s restaurant, Dolfi’s, is the site of the anniversary banquet of St. George Church. A window in the church is dedicated to the Holy Archangel Michael in memory of Brozik’s father, veteran Michael Brozik.
Richard and Dustin Menhart and Jason Rogish are on active duty. These three men have direct connections to St. George and their well being is prayed for consistently.
Stanley Skorich was a pilot in World War II. Melvin Dragich has deep roots in St. George and is among current veterans attending church. Eli Matovich, Eli Standish, Pete Krivosky, Pete Rantovich, Joe Hunchuck, Swetko Davidovich served in the military and are parishioners of St. George.
Veteran Lou Zorman, after serving in the military, went on to a distinguished career with the federal government, serving as a correctional officer at the federal facility in Morgantown.
Prayers are offered throughout the year at St. George Church for armed forces. Two former priests went on to career with the military: Lt. Colonel Very Rev. Adam Yonitch is the United States Air Force Reserves. Rev. Yonitch is in his 20th year of military service. The Rev. Milan Sturgis served for many years as a chaplain with the Marine Corps and is still an important role with the federal government pertaining to Kosovo.