Posted by
M*A on Sunday, April 20, 2008 7:07:41 PM
“EVERY
MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES IS SOMEBODY’S SON OR DAUGHTER, WORTHY OF OUR
RESPECT, OUR PRIDE, OUR DEVOTION AND NEVER ENDING STREAMS OF SUPPORT,
LOVE AND PRAYERS.”
We didn’t get our wish of sunny skies for the rally. It was cloudy
and a light rain fell for a part of the time but it didn’t stop the
proceedings. The crowd was less than last year…probably because of the
weather. Considering the conditions our troops endure…a little rain was
nothing. I’m posting photos right now…possibly…maybe…hopefully…very
soon…we’ll have video.(Video here.)
We missed the arrival of the bikes this year…so no pics of that. The
rally began with the presentation of the flag by the 3/25 Marine
Reserve Unit from Brookpark, Ohio, the Wadsworth VFW Post 1089 and the
American Legion Post 170. Jim Mantel of WGAR radio was the MC and
Monica Robbins of WKYC television sang the National Anthem.
Beautifully, I might add.
This lady was honoring SSG Keith “Matt” Maupin
and her nephew who is deploying soon
Rev. Rich Bartley, Blue Knights Chaplin gave the Invocation
John “KIKS” Kikol the rally organizer
Dan McCarthy WWII veteran
Tommy Farkus WWII survivor of Iwo Jima
MSG Austin Asher, 60 year old Clevelander who wants to go back to Iraq and take care of his Soldiers
Bob “Tater” Smith from the Patriot Guard Riders
John Prazynski the father of Lance Cpl. Taylor Prazynski KIA 5/9/05
Gene O’Quinn spoke next, he is president of Honor Flights of Cleveland.
They fly WWII veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the WWII Memorial.
He spoke from in front of the speakers platform and I could not get a
picture from where I was standing. Also, Julius Pondy, a WWII vet spoke
of the Honor Flight he was able to make in April of last year. I spoke
to a WWII vet at the Memorial Day parade last year who had made one of
these flights. It means so much to these vets to see the memorial, and
as was pointed out, they are leaving us at a rapidly increasing pace.
On the right is Eric Ridgley of the Marine/Leatherneck-Ghost
Riders Foundation. On the left, I believe, is Tim DeWolf of the same
organization. It was formed to support veterans of all the military who
have been diagnosed with PTSD.
Pam Montgomery, the wife of Lance Cpl. Brian Montgomery KIA
8/1/05. I hope we can get the video uploaded…I wish everyone could hear
this young woman speak with passion and love…for her husband and her
country. We often say the families of the military serve too…they
do…and this woman…is a patriot and a hero.
Next was the reading of the names of Ohio’s Fallen Heroes. Followed by the playing of Taps and the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums playing “Amazing Grace”. (Besides their “serious” website they also have a MySpace page.)
DH and I walked through Tower City
(who provided free parking to folks attending the rally) feeling pride,
and respect and sorrow. Two hours of our time…even in the rain…is so
little to do for the people who have done/do so much to make our lives
what they are. God Bless Them All.
And…a special thanks to my friend, Maria Hollcroft (Proud Army M.O.M of DerekHollcroft) for sending me the program and list of speakers for the rally so I could correctly identify people.