‘Every day is Veterans Day’
JEFFERSON – Seven members of the Jefferson American Legion Post 954 were posthumously recognized Monday during the annual Veterans Day services held in the Jefferson-Morgan High School auditorium. The service came after the traditional Veterans Day Parade that follows Route 188 from the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department to the front of the high school.
For 61 years, Post 954 has held the parade, a Veterans Day program and Post Everlasting Services to pay tribute to its fellow veterans both living and deceased. The day’s events also are an opportunity for the community to come out to support those who have served in the six branches of the armed forces of the United States – the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.
Master of ceremonies and Western Vice Commander of the Pennsylvania American Legion Tom Shumaker stepped in as the keynote speaker for the day as a last minute fill-in for Kerrie G. Gill Sr., who was unable to attend.
“You do what you have to do,” Shumaker said with a laugh, noting he recently had occasion to give a speech so Gill felt comfortable he was prepared to fill his spot on such short notice.
Shumaker’s speech followed the playing of the National Anthem and the advancement of the colors of each branch of the military as their respective hymns were performed by the Jefferson-Morgan and West Greene high school marching bands.
Shumaker’s wife, Janet, followed with the song “Veterans of the USA”, written by Tim Goad, that gives thanks for the price paid by veterans and active duty military men and women for the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.
Thanking his wife for singing, Shumaker, took a moment to recognize several in attendance at the Veterans’ Day program in the auditorium. Among those Shumaker singled out were John E. Titus, 91, of Jefferson, and U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Nick Miller, 21, of Mather, who has served in both Afghanistan and Latvia. Miller, a 2008 graduate of Jefferson-Morgan, is currently on leave.
A revered member of his community, Titus, who worked in Jefferson-Morgan School District for many years, has been with Post 954 for nearly seven decades. He has held the positions of state and post commander and has received numerous citations for his service to the American Legion and his country as an armament mechanic with the Army Air Corps during World War II. His sister, Navy veteran C. Jane Titus, was among the seven veterans who were entered into the Post Everlasting Monday.
Shumaker received a hoorah from a veteran in the audience when he recognized the recent celebration of the 237th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
“On behalf of the 67,000 others in the Pennsylvania American Legion, Happy Veterans Day,” Shumaker said. “Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day, although it is a common misunderstanding.”
Shumaker said Veterans Day is a day to remember all veterans, especially the living.
“Another special group we don’t hear enough about are those who died long after their obligations to service ended. Their service obligation may have expired by their love of country endured,” Shumaker said. “We live in a nation of people who take our peace for granted.”
Shumaker said the blood, sweat and tears shed by active and veteran service members should be remembered all year long.
“We need to call to mind those who set aside and gave themselves over to something larger than themselves,” Shumaker said. “Although Nov. 11 is designated as Veterans Day we should always endeavor to live by the motto of National Commander James Koutz, ‘Every day is VeteransDay.'”
Following his address, Shumaker led the ceremony to transfer Post 954 comrades who passed away since Veterans Day 2011 into the post everlasting.
Those whose military papers were placed into a World War II helmet to be burned were Vietnam Marine Corps veteran Daniel B. Hritz, Sr.; WWII Army Col. George E. Marley; Vietnam Air Force Sgt. Lewis J. Matt III; Vietnam Army SPC 4th Class Clarence E. Stimmell; WWII Navy Chief C. Jane Titus; WWII Army Air Corps PFC George Trbovich; and WWII Marine PFC Tony Voycik.
Following the ceremony, family members of the departed Post 954 comrades received resolutions signed by Shumaker and Post 954 Commander Thomas Huffman, “in token of our common grief,” and stating, “We humbly bow to the will of divine providence, while ever cherishing in our hearts the memory of distinguished service to our country, and outstanding contributions to American Legion comradeship.”