Donley County citizens paused Monday to honor the contributions of American veterans during five separate services.
The first service hosted by the Adamson-Lane Post of the American Legion, was scheduled for Monday morning at Rowe Cemetery but was moved to the Hedley Lions Hall due to inclement weather. There more than 80 people gathered as Army veteran Will Thompson delivered the keynote address, and Bufford Holland covered a vacant chair in silent tribute to those listed as Missing In Action and as Prisoners of War.
The services then moved to the Hedley public school where veterans were again recognized.
Also, Monday morning, the Donley County VFW Memorial Post and Ladies Auxiliary hosted a brief ceremony at the Donley County War Memorial on the Courthouse Square. Auxiliary member Glenda Day gave a history on the origin of the song, “Taps.’
On Monday evening, a large crowd assembled in the Clarendon College Harned Sisters Auditorium where CC President Phil Shirley gave opening remarks and former American Legion district commander Barry Schoenals gave the keynote, focusing on the personal friends he lost in the Vietnam War, who were, he said, more than just names on a wall.
Schoenals also discussed the sacrifices of other veterans and blended poetry with prose.
A video presentation also honored veterans of each branch of the military, and the ceremony also featured solo performances by Brit Patten and the posting of the colors by Clarendon Boy Scouts.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.