The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Gloria Snyder, Quill Staff
La Harpe City Park was the setting at 10 a.m., May 27, 2002, for the Memorial Service, which was attended by many area residents.
The program began with a welcome by American Legion Auxiliary President Dorothy Plank, followd by the presentation of Colors by La Harpe American Legion Post 301.
The Star Spangled Banner was played by La Harpe High School Wind Ensemble, directed by Jason Bronsky, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Dorothy Plank.
A Memorial Day prayer was given by Delores Rodeffer and speakers for the event were Mayor Kenneth Brown, The Gettysburg Address given by Jessica Boyle and Derek VanFleet, A Tribute to the Bice Brothers, by Peggy Villwock and The Last Civil War Soldier by Dan Gillett, Post 301 Commander.
Guest Veterans were: Peggy Villwock, Viet Nam, Colby Yard, Marines, on Active Duty, Eugene Johnson, WW11, Robert Housewright, Air Force, Korea and representing the M.I.A. and P.O.W's was Herman Link, WW11. Herman Link was honored by his two sisters who traveled a distance to be able to be here for this event.
Also included in the Patriotic Memorial Day program was the Presentation of Blue Star Service Banners by Dan Gillett, to families who have a child in service.
Those couples receiving the Blue Star Service Banners were:
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Blythe, their son Brian is in the Air Force
Mr. and Mrs. Max Owsley, their son Donny is in the Navy.
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Lovell, their son Alex is in the Navy.
Mr. and Mrs. Karl Yard, their son Colby is in the Marines.
Mr. and Mrs. Marion Barr, their son Christopher is in the Air Force.
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Bouseman, their son Tim is in the Air Force.
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Jackson, their son Gary is in the Army.
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Slayton, their son Bill is in the Army.
Finally, The La Harpe High School Wind Ensemble played Armed Forces Salute, and acknowledgements were given by Dorothy Plank. A Poem, In Flanders Fields was read by Ty Huston, the closing prayer was given by Post 301, Chaplin Michael Blythe, followed by the Retiring of Colors, America The Beautiful played by La Harpe Wind Ensemble, The Twenty-one Gun Salute by La Harpe American Legion Post 301, and taps played by Chelsie Lotz and Ty Huston.
Following this very moving and commemorative Memorial Day Service, the American Legion Post 301 had a ceremony to dispose of damaged American Flags and the La Harpe Historical Society had a military display for the public to view.
Peggy Villwock with "A Tribute to the Bice Brothers"
Colby Yard, Marines, with Delores Rodeffer