The service planned for Memorial weekend was canceled due to conditions at the monument property.

David Flurie, LCDR, USCG Ret., a veteran of both the Marine Corps and Coast Guard was the featured speaker.

Flurie’s military career began as an enlisted Marine. Encouraged by a retired Coast Guard Admiral, he attended Coast Guard Officers Candidate School and was commissioned as an Ensign in 1990.

As a Coast Guard officer, he worked in staff positions, counter-drug operations with Joint Task Force 4 in the Caribbean and Pacific, and later, investigations and vessel inspections.

Courtesy photo Those shown at the flag presentation are (from left): Lions Denise Walters, Connie Harter and Pete Harter, Rep. John Joyce, Lions Susan Edwards, Larry Edwards, Dutch Coho, Pat Coho and Lisa Faretta. At right is the monument restored and maintained by the Lakemont Lions Club.

He retired in 2005 after 24 years of service. Flurie also currently serves as Governor of PA Lions District 14L, comprising Blair, Bedford, Huntingdon, Fulton and Mifflin counties.

Flag raising and the playing of Taps were part of the ceremony. A wreath presentation was done by Lions Pete and Connie Harter.

The flag raised this year was procured by Congressman John Joyce, and presented to the Lakemont Lions Club in April. The flag is certified as having been flown over the U.S. Capitol.

The monument is situated at the junction of Lake and Shand avenues in the Lakemont section of Altoona.

This year marks the 83rd anniversary of the monument’s construction. The monument, created by Lakemont Post No.634 American Legion, was dedicated on July 4, 1943, to honor Lakemont residents who served in the military during World War II. Since 1981, Lakemont Lions Club has owned the monument and continues to maintain it and the small parcel on which it stands.

Since the time of the monument’s dedication, additional names have been added including those whose service was during the Korean War. Currently, 267 Lakemont veterans’ names are listed on the monument, honoring them for their service in the U.S. military in a combat zone.

Requests to add names can be forwarded to Lakemont Lions Club Secretary Sondra Stacey. Such requests require written documentation of service in a combat zone. For further information, call 717-552-9472.

Lakemont Lions welcomes new members. Information on joining Lakemont Lions Club is available by calling Club President Mike O’Neill at 814-615-3538.