June 18, 2010 Lake Currents

Post date: Jun 13, 2013 5:6:48 PM

LOW Veterans Club members of the Ceremonial Flag Raising Squad (from left) Ernie Dvorak, Gary Mauss, Joe Jackson, and Bruce Boyd salute as Taps is played with the flag at half-mast. (Photo by Anne Boyd.)

LOW Honors Military Dead in

Memorial Day Solemn Ceremonies

By Dick Martin, LOW Vets Secretary

Lake of the Woods observed Memorial Day with somber and meaningful ceremonies May 31 in services co-sponsored by the LOW Veterans Club and the Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 128.

Led by LOW Vet President Ed Kessler, the event featured wreath-laying, an honor roll of deceased veterans with bell tolls, a demonstration and explanation of symbolism of the official 13-step flag-folding process, and saluting the raising of a new American flag and MIA emblem on the Clubhouse flag pole during the playing of Taps.

Invocation and Benediction was handled by Deacon Bill Pivarnik of St. Patricks Catholic Church. The attending crowd was led in the singing of the National Anthem and other patriotic songs by Marthellen Hoffman.

The traditional presentation of a wreath at the KWVA commemorative stone was handled by KWVA Chapter President Gene Santucci and John Pruficato.

The Honor Roll of 50 deceased veterans from Lake of the Woods and surrounding area “who have left us to serve on Eternal Duty” was read by Dick Martin, LOW Vet Secretary, as Club Vice President Jim Fargo tolled a ceremonial bell after each name and service.

A demonstration and explanation of the symbolism in the 13-step folding of the American flag was presented by the Honor America Corps of the Knights of Columbus. The presentation was led by Frank Connors, Corps Commander, and assisted by Joseph McEuen and John Pruficato,

The crowd then showed respect during the ceremonial raising of the American flag, then lowering to half-mast, pictured above, along with the traditional Memorial Day Missing In Action flag. The playing of Taps added true meaning to this concluding Memorial Day ceremony.

The next LOW Vets meeting will be held Thursday, June 24, at 4 PM in the Clubhouse Lower Level. A Social Hour will follow the meeting in the Clubhouse Class 6 headquarters.

All military veterans in Lake of the Woods are invited to attend our meetings and to become members of the LOW Veterans Club.