A Veterans Banquet at the Trinity Christian Center on Pribble Road in Lawrenceburg was a huge success on Saturday, May 9th, with a capacity crowd.
Pastor Corey Potts and his staff were gracious hosts for this annual event. The program started with the a beautiful rendition of the ‘National Anthem’ by Mary Kate Ketcham.
The new outdoor Memorial Garden, dedicated to our veterans who have passed on, was dedicated with the Southeastern Indiana Korean War Veterans Association Chapter #4 doing the honors. Commander J.D. Largent of the KWVA led them as they fired the three volleys with their rifles and played ‘Taps’. This memorial garden was designed by Ron Wesley and in the future plaques will be added for other deceased veterans.
P.G. Gentrup paid tribute to a local World War II Veteran, Bush White from Rising Sun, who is a D-Day Veteran. Bush came forward to accept a beautiful Quilt of Valor with his daughter, Diane and son-in-law, Brian Bowling. The patriotic quilt was handmade by Maura Boze from Trinity Christian Center.
Three plaques were then presented to local veterans in honor of some very fine veterans we have recently lost.
The first one was presented in honor of World War II Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient and Prisoner of War, Bill Rowling. It went to Dave Teke who has done so much to help pay tribute to area veterans and has personally worked at 46 Moving Walls to honor those who made the supreme sacrifice in Vietnam.
Gentrup then presented a plaque to honor the memory of USMC Captain Luther E. Rice Jr. who was responsible for the Korean War Veterans Chapter #4 becoming the outstanding organization it is today. The KWVA Color Guard is dedicated to paying tribute to departed veterans at their funeral. This plaque was awarded to Jerry Bondurant for his dedication to Luther during his illness with ALS and making sure he was well taken care of.
The third plaque was presented in honor of World War II Veteran, Captain Bill McClure, who attended so many area functions and schools to spread the word about veterans and to tell the students how important a good education is. It was presented to Judy Wesley for her dedication to our veterans and putting on this wonderful banquet.
Rick Webster, office manager of the Veterans Community Based Outreach Clinic (CBOC) located in Greendale, spoke to the crowd about signing up for veterans’ benefits and how he’s very willing to help them.
The American Heritage Girls sang some patriotic songs and did an excellent job.
Angie and Tori Little with Alex Owens sang a booming rendition of ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’.
Hank Little sang ‘Arlington’ and it was a very moving presentation.
Landon Smith played the piano and his Veterans’ Medley along with ‘As Time Goes By’, always is a crowd pleaser. Landon can make that piano talk.
Judy Wesley introduced the four World War II Veterans in attendance and then introduced all the other veterans and their branch of service. Judy explained the POW-MIA table on display and had a Tribute to the Fallen. Judy also read her own personal tribute to veterans which she wrote in their honor, A Veterans Poem. She read that poem at the funeral of Bill Rowling in Rising Sun the day before the banquet.
The Veterans of Southeastern Indiana would like to thank Pastor Corey Potts, his staff, Judy and Ron Wesley and all who helped to make this such a great tribute to those who have served and are serving our great nation. It was an outstanding evening and make plans to attend next year because we can never pay too much attention to our Veterans.
– P.G. Gentrup