CRESSON -- The commanders of the Ashville and Sankertown Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts and the Cresson, Gallitzin and Loretto American Legions sponsored a recognition dinner June 24 for members of the posts' ritual team, who faithfully conduct military funeral honors for deceased veterans in the area.
The catered dinner was held in the Peary Room at the Cresson American Legion.
The program consisted of a POW/MIA ceremony, dinner, acknowledgement and thanks to Rep. Gary Haluska, D-Patton, for his past support, thanks to J.C. Penney Co. Inc. for helping the ritual team secure a uniform appearance and thanks to the post commanders for their support.
Article Photos
Courtesy photo Taking part in a recognition for the ritual team from the Ashville and Sankertown Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Cresson, Gallitzin and Loretto American Legion Posts are (from left): first row -- Frank Heiss, Frank Kuzenchak, Harry Prosser, Adam Lee, Sheldon Schettig, Don Eberhart; second row -- Jesse Wright, John Martyak, William Wyland, Ray Bradley, Ray Biter, Mick Hoover; third row -- Mike Swope, Gerald 'Herk' Stevens, Joseph Krise, John 'Charley' Adams, Don Novotny, Duane Eberhart; fourth row -- Chris Zimmerman, Pete Steberger, Leo Delozier, R. Raymond Lenz, Ken Hammond, Harry Lewis Jr., Chet Harker, Paul 'Puddy' Wani, Dave Wharton, Harold Templon, Joe Shyrock and Tom Sutton.
The poem ''Never Forget' was read as it expresses the reasons this group participates in military funeral honors in all types of weather and at all times of the year. Some members of this team have been rendering the funeral honors for more than 20 years.
Members include:
Ashville VFW -- Dave Wharton, Matt Lidwell, John Martyak, Jim Noel and Mike Swope.
Cresson American Legion -- Gerry Bradley, Leo Delozier, Don Eberhart, Duane Eberhart, Ken Hammond, Sheldon Schettig, Tom Sutton, Harold Templon and Jesse Wright.
Gallitzin American Legion -- Chet Harker, Ray Biter, Frank Heiss, Jim Jones, R. Raymond Lenz, Gary McCloskey, Don Novotny, Joe Shyrock, Paul Stock and Paul ''Puddy' Wahl.
Loretto American Legion -- Ray Bradley, Joseph Krise, Frank Kuzemchak, Adam Lee and William Wyland.
Sankertown VFW -- John ''Charley' Adams, Harry Lewis Jr., Harry Prosser, Pete Steberger, Gerald ''Herk' Stevens and Chris Zimmerman.
The team remains ready to conduct military funeral honors for veterans in the areas served by the member posts, whether or not the deceased was a member of the posts.
