Brunswick Town March 8, 2023 Meeting " Honoring Veterans"

 L to R: Dennis St. Andrew,  Woody Johnson,  Dan Hickman, Fred Edwards, Joe Kinzer,  Doug Sands, Robert Tripp, Mac Palmer, and John Lambert  

Brunswick Town Chapter NSDAR celebrated veterans everywhere by inviting local veterans to our March meeting and luncheon at Winding River Plantation’s restaurant.

Invited veterans were club members and relatives of club members. They represent several branches of the military and many years of service. The event was planned and executed by the Vice Regent and a committee that included seven Brunswick Town members.

The celebration opened with a prayer from chapter chaplain Judy Holden, followed by a presentation of the colors by the Richard H. Stewart Jr. American Legion Post 543 from St. James.

Each celebrated veteran was called up and presented with a gift from the chapter while their service anthem played from the regent's cell phone.

Honored and attending were US Army Brigadier General Dan Hickman who served 35 years including in Viet Nam and Iraq, Marine Captain Woody Johnson who served three years in Viet Nam, John Lambert who served the US Army for two years in Washington DC, LCDR Robert Palmer who served twenty years in the Navy in Vietnam, Hawaii and DC, Doug Sands who served three years in the US Air Force in the Philippines and Viet Nam, Dennis St. Andrews who served three years with the US Army in Viet Nam, Col. Robert E. Tripp who served 28 years with the US Army in Viet Nam and Germany, General Joe Kinzer who served 39 years in the US Army in Viet Nam and elsewhere, and Fred Gordon Edwards, Jr who served four years active duty with the US Navy and four years in the US Navy Reserves. 1st Lt. Joseph Pierce who served 15 years with the 82nd Airborne in Korea and the US was unable to attend as was Dr. Joseph Wayne Koletar who served two years as First Lieutenant in the Special Security Group of the US Army.

Also honored but unable to attend were three members of the Brunswick Town NSDAR chapter:  Lt. Col. Susan Cunningham for 20 years in the US Air Force around the world, Linda Franklin for 20 years aboard Air Force One, Fran Carlson for four years in the Women’s Air Corp in Washington DC, and Joseph Koletar, US army Special Security Group 2 years as First Lt.

Information provided our public relations chair.

              Honor Guard from the American Legion in Southport, NC.

L to R: Bill Morgan, Aaron Largent,  Pom Pomeroy, Ray Clemen, Rich Ewing, Jim Rosadino, and Rick Sessa

 American Legion Post 543's Honor Guard was created in 2013 from a need for our members to provide Military Honors at funerals, honor our Flag, and represent Post 543.

We honor fallen veterans with funeral honors. Our ceremony includes the bagpipes and buglers playing Taps, a ceremonial flag folding, and the presentation of the flag to the family of the fallen veteran. The Honor Guard considers this to be a sacred honor and we always endeavor to perform these ceremonies to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans.

The Honor Guard also presents the colors at all monthly and special meetings. It is and important part of any Post participation in parades and other ceremonial events.

The Honor Guard represents Post 543 in local parades such as the NC 4th of July Festival in Southport, the Veterans Day parade in Wilmington, and the Christmas By The Sea parade on Iak Island.

The Post 543 plans and conducts the annual Memorial Day ceremony, the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, and the Veterans Day ceremony. 

If anyone is interested in having the Honor Guard participate in a patriotic event, contact Bill Morgan, Honor Guard Commander, bill.am68@gmail.com;  571-423-8530

 Information provided by Bill Morgan.

Vice Regent from the Brunswick Town chapter gave background on the Veterans Project.

Photo was taken prior to the start of the meeting at Carolina National Golf Club at Winding River, NC. Members were busily singing in for the meeting.