WWII Veterans remembered on Memorial day

    Many Pendleton County residents headed to battle during World War II as the free country fought against the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan.
    Fifty-one never returned home to Pendleton County and gave the ultimate sacrifice for that freedom that their country represents.
    Memorial Day 2021 saw the American Legion Post 109 remember those 51 names during their program that also saw five individuals recognized for their contributions to the local post. The five were Charlie Biddle, Phyllis Clouser, Ernest Collins, Shelby McDowell and Raymond Hammond.     Going forward, a committee will name one or two more to have their name added to the plaque that was unveiled with the five names of the inaugural class of honorees.
    As far as the 51 names, they were read off by John Michael Moore who presently serves in the Navy as ET2 and was part of an emotional ceremony in which many recalled those that they had lost while fighting back tears.
    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.”
    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 lives 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, Edward Mullins, William Pugh, Maynard Bowen, John Montgomery, Melvin Clayton, Wendell Moore, William Hurt, James Hamilton.
    Frankie Ammerman was recognized for this 50th year of membership with the post.
    Callie Daugherty performed a rousing and strong rendition of the national anthem with Chaplin Gary Barnard saying a prayer to start the program.
    The Pendleton County High School NJROTC was on hand to present the colors and wreath as well as lowering the flag to half-mast.