Masontown hosts parade, ceremonies on Memorial Day
Masontown will remember those who have performed service to their country and community with a parade and ceremonies on Memorial Day.
The events begin with a memorial program at 9 a.m. Monday at Masontown Volunteer Fire Department, 221 N. Washington St. The program will note the 2012 passing of Wallace “Wally” Stillwagon and honor 50-year member Robert F. “Bobby” Danko.
“We have about 95 deceased members,” noted John Maykuth Jr., vice president of the fire department. “We honor the veterans who gave their lives for our country and the firemen who kept our community safe.”
Maykuth will serve as master of ceremonies. The Rev. John M. Butler, pastor of All Saints Roman Catholic Church, will give the invocation and Benediction. Masontown Volunteer Fire Department Boy Scout Troop No. 654, with Thomas Colebank as scoutmaster and Alan Colebank as assistant scoutmaster, will raise the flag. Edward Colebank, secretary, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Luke Diamond will lead singing of patriotic songs.
Maykuth will give a remembrance of Stillwagon, while Robert Brenzy, captain, and Chuck Corcoran, fire chief, will remember all deceased firemen. Taps will be played by Masontown Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4584.
Danko, who will retire as Fayette County treasurer at the end of the year, will be honored, with Maykuth leading this segment of the program. Chris Corcoran, president of the ladies auxiliary, will recite “Prayer of a Firefighter’s Wife” and Bernard Townsend, first lieutenant, will say “Fireman’s Prayer.”
Following the program will be a parade organized by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4584 and American Legion Post 423.
John Chatlak, commander of the VFW, said both organizations and Albert Gallatin High School’s Junior ROTC will have members in the parade. Bands from Albert Gallatin High School, North Middle School and South Middle School will perform. Several fire departments will participate and floats will be offered by dance studios, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Chatlak said the parade forms at the Dollar General Store on South Washington Street and begins at 10 a.m. He said participants will march down Main Street to Bowman Avenue to Washington Street and then to West Church Street.
The parade ends with a memorial service at Masontown Cemetery with Joseph George, who recently won the Democratic and Republican primaries for one of two Fayette County judicial seats, as guest speaker.
“I’m a veteran and I’m very proud to be part of the program,” said Chatlak, noting with gratitude the cooperation the veterans receive from the local community and government.
Chatlak reported the honor guard will also appear at memorial services Sunday at Jacobs Lutheran Cemetery at 10 a.m. and Churchill Cemetery at 10:45 a.m., both located in German Township.