2024 MEMORIAL TRIBUTES

Hanging silently, gently moving with the wisp of air moving around as a door opens or the AC or heat start up, are 12 tributes in memory of special individuals within our community. Six of the memorials are in honor of the veterans who have passed away in 2024. This year the names of the members of the American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary who left us are also remembered.

As Claudia Pemberton said, “America without her soldiers would be like God without his angels.

We must never forget that “freedom” isn’t “free,” and it is only a generation away from extinction. When one counts their blessings, their “freedom” should be counted twice. The youth of today should be proud to stand and say, “My dad (grandpa, uncle, mom, aunt) served in the military.”

The twelve are arranged alphabetically and are hanging on the beam dividing the VFW Club and the dance floor.

The veterans include those who have served in years of the Korean Conflict and forward. They were as young as 55 years of age.

The laminated memorials are a five inch star with a flag of red, white and blue stars and stripes. A picture of the veteran as well as their name on it is in the center.

This year we lost Bruce Babcock, Floyd Kindle, Doug Kroll, Steve Schumacher, Steve Tremblay and Lester Wiebe. All families were offered the choice of having military honors for their loved one, and many so chose to do so. Many families chose to gather and socialize and have refreshments or dinners at the Club following the funeral, memorial service or committal service.

The women are included for a couple of reasons. First, many of the members have diligently and faithfully served the auxiliaries for many years. Some that passed were Life Members and their spirit and drive will be missed. Secondly, the fact is, they are a strong support beam for the VFW and American Legion. They have served their share of time in the kitchen for meals and funerals; they have raffled off enough items for fundraising to finance projects many have long forgotten about. They were included for standing beside the veterans for all these years. Weaker individuals would have dropped out or thrown the towel in. This year, there were no military affiliated ladies among those that earned their wings.

Honored are Madelyn Anderson, Catherine Black, Barbara Dunbar, Virginia Fewer, Shirley Jones and Joyce Wright. If you have a minute, stop down and see the arrangement. It will be up until the 2025 edition of tributes and memorials are placed in late December.

Thank a veteran today. You will both benefit from it.