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Memorial
Day 2011
From
May 26 at Clipper Stadium to June 1 at Audobon Villa, members of VFW
Post 1463 and the Ladies Auxiliary commemorated Memorial Day with various
celebrations, ceremonies and visits to veterans in two local retirement
communities.
Rep. John Bear's 4th Annual Salute to Veterans at Clipper Stadium kicked
off Memorial Day weekend for area veterans. This year's pregame show
included the Valley Forge Military Academy Marching Band, the Washington
Memorial Pipe Band, 5 Honor Guards and area boy scouts.
Post 1463's
color guard participated in the pregame show. Veterans attended Penn
Cinema on Saturday for a continental breakfast and viewing of Valkyrie,
all thanks to the Salute to Veterans Weekend sponsors.
Rothsville presented a community parade. The Lititz Springs VFW Post
1463 presented a service at Jerusalem Lutheran Church. The American
Legion and VFW proceeded to the Revolutionary Memorial on Broad Street
where Vet 21 presented a 21-gun salute for the soldiers buried there.
Parade goers in Lititz showed their patriotic pride at the Memorial
Day Parade as they saluted the American Flag, cheered and said Thank
You to the VFW and American Legion veterans who led the parade. Members
of the Ladies Auxiliary carried the banner displaying the emblem of
each of the armed forces. A large crowd gathered at the Moravian Community
Cemetery for a ceremony where Senator Brubaker and Commander Mike Gillett,
U.S. Navy, spoke.
On May 31, patriotic instructor Anne Loechner presented a Memorial
Day program at United Zion Retirement Center. Commander Joel Ellis
spoke briefly. Ladies Auxiliary members Janet Getz, Lily Stief and
Susan Ellis presented small gifts along with Memorial Day cards from
the 6th grade students at Lititz Elementary. We then joined in a patriotic
singalong.
On June 1 Ladies Auxiliary members Anne Loechner, Janet Getz, Lily
Stief, Linda Schultz, Trish Brenemen, Susan Ellis and Post Commander
Ellis visited Audobon Villa for a Memorial Day remembrance. Anne presented
a short Memorial Day program during the patient's "coffee hour".
Everyone received Buddy Poppies and cards from Lititz Elementary 6th
graders.
VISITING A WWII VET AT AUDOBON VILLA: Most vets were able to attend
the "coffee hour" at Audobon Villa, but we visited John,
a WWII vet, at his room. John seemed a little overwhelmed at the sight
of 7 visitors all at once. In his room, we noticed a vintage picture
of a young woman with a young man in a Navy uniform; we saw a bulletin
board filled with children's school pictures. John explained the young
couple in the picture is him and his wife from many years back; his
wife passed away five years ago. The kids in the pictures are his grandchildren,
and perhaps a few were great-grandkids. When we asked about his military
service, he became very animated and proud to share his story. He was
onboard the battleship Alabama during WWII. John was transferred to
the amphibious service and was on one of the first ships to bring troops
to Normandy on D-Day. We all thanked him for his service; Commander
Ellis shared a few private words of thanks with John. We promised to
return, and hope you will join us on our next visit to a veteran.
VFW Post 1463 and American Legion Member Jack Pontz and VFW Post Commander
Joel Ellis
Seated: Ladies Auxiliary Life Member Mae Wingenroth. Standing (L to R)
Janet Getz, Lily Stief, Sue Ellis, Anne Loechner
Veterans attending the Memorial Day program at United Zion pose with Commander
Ellis and Patriotic Instructor Anne Loechner.
Patriotic instructor Anne Loechner speaks to veterans and residents at
Audobon Villa.
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