Veterans from American Legion Post #49

MENTONE — The winds were high, but that didn’t discourage the veterans, at the Mentone Cemetery, May 29. Nor the people discouraged who came to honor them and those that had fallen while fighting valiantly for this nation’s freedom.

After an introduction by Ron Barker and an invocation by Rev. Amber Karkosky-Litten, the members of the Tippy Valley High School played the National Anthem.

Then, Burket Boy Scout Troop 782 spoke the Pledge of Allegiance. The troop had helped clean up the Mentone Cemetery in preparation of the program. They also donated $100 for replacement of the miniature, American flags on veteran’s graves and did the manual replacing of those flags.

After Chad Litten, Army [former] played the guitar and sang America the Beautiful, guest speaker Rev. Roy Blake, who prefers to be called “Rev,” spoke of Honor Flight.

Honor Flight is a non-profit organization that transports veterans to war memorials to reflect, remember and pay respect to those that have fallen. The website states that their mission is, “To transport America’s Veterans to Washington, DC to visit those memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends.” Rev. talked of the trip to Washington DC and how veterans are seated on buses that are red, white and blue, then taken to various memorials for remembrance and closure.

After the placing of the wreath, by Connie Schlag, the 21-Gun Salute from the American Legion Post #49, Janelle Rinner then ended the program with a rendition of Taps.