Local services honors those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice

  • Callie Daugherty gave a strong performance of the national anthem
    Callie Daugherty gave a strong performance of the national anthem
  • NJROTC presented a wreath
    NJROTC presented a wreath
  • John Michael Moore read the name of 52 who gave their life during WWII and were from Pendleton County
    John Michael Moore read the name of 52 who gave their life during WWII and were from Pendleton County
  • NJROTC lowered the flag to half mast
    NJROTC lowered the flag to half mast
  • The American Legion Post 109 presented a 21 gun salute and playing of taps for the Memorial Day program
    The American Legion Post 109 presented a 21 gun salute and playing of taps for the Memorial Day program
  • Henry Bertram rang the bell after each name was read during recognition of those who gave their life in WWII
    Henry Bertram rang the bell after each name was read during recognition of those who gave their life in WWII
  • Frankie Ammerman was honored for 50 years of service
    Frankie Ammerman was honored for 50 years of service
The crowd was full of young and old who honored those that sacrificed for their country

The American Legion Post 109 held Memorial Day services on Sunday, May 30 in an emotional service that was filled with tears, pride and remembrance of friends and fellow countryman they served.

Henry Bertram said "I laid in ditches in Vietnam with a guy beside me that may be there tomorrow and not. You grow close to them. I cannot explain it unless you are another veteran."

During the services, the program honored 51 veterans from Pendleton County who were killed in action during World War KK, five individuals who have served the post through attending funerals and actions the post is involved, and a special presentation to Frankie Ammerman for 50 years of membership.

The Pendleton County High School NJROTC was on hand to present the colors and wreath as well as lowering the flag to half-mast. Master Sergeant Brian K. Melton who is the Naval Science instructor at PCHS gave the Memorial Day perspective.

He talked of his path to the military and the loss of a close friend, Scott Prewitt, in Afghanistan.

"They are the story but we are the storytellers," said the Master Sergeant about all who have given of their life for their country.

The 52 names honored were:

Charles Zoller, Desmond Steele, Wayne Steele, Charles Ewing, Eugene Hall, Rollin Tomlin, Roy Armstrong, William Adams, Billy Pribble, Walter Florence, Robert Vinson, Ernest Bingham, Howard Butcher, Marcellus Mullins, John Klee, Norbert Budde, Charles Smith, Ray Moore, Howard Schluter, Russell Childs, Herbert Metcalf, Melvin Simpson, Paul Curtis, Oscar Barton, Leroy Craig, Benjamin Cummins, Robert Ashcraft, Edgar Anness, Robert Mason, Carl Draper, George James, Paul Campbell, Sidney McNess, Carl Gray, Earl Edwards, Kenneth Mason, Wenton Fossitt, James Gifford, James Elliot, Dennis Quinlan, Robert Pharis, Herman Bowling, James Shields, Edweard Mullins, William Pugh, Maynard Bowen, John Montgomery, Melvin Clayton, Wendell Moore, William Hurt, James Hamilton.

A plaque was unveiled representing five individuals who made the post like it is. Going forward a committee will choose 1-2 each year. The five were Charlie Biddle, Phyliss Clouser, Ernest Collins, Shelby McDowell and Raymond Hammond.

Callie Daugherty performed a rousing and strong rendition of the national anthem with Chaplin Gary Barnard saying a prayer to start the program.