West Twp. Memorial Association marks Memorial Day

Special to The Alliance Review
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Frank Kemp, left, and Myla French were presenters during West Township Memorial Association's Memorial Day Program. Kemp was the event's speaker, while French, a fifth-grader, recited the Gettysburg address from memory during the event Monday, May 30, 2022, at Moultrie Chapel in Minerva.
Frank Kemp, left, and Myla French were presenters during West Township Memorial Association's Memorial Day Program. Kemp was the event's speaker, while French, a fifth-grader, recited the Gettysburg address from memory during the event Monday, May 30, 2022, at Moultrie Chapel in Minerva.

Myla French, a fifth-grader at United Elementary School, dazzled those on hand Monday for West Township Memorial Association’s Memorial Day Service at Moultrie Chapel.

French recited the Gettysburg Address from memory for the audience.

Two World War II veterans were on hand for the ceremony. Bill Pilati, 97, a survivor of the Battle of the Bulge, placed a bouquet of flowers at the base of a monument honoring all veterans who died in service to America. Harriet Miller Jones, 100, a West Township resident who served as a U.S. Army nurse in England during the war, also attended Monday.

Patriotic music and Taps was provided by Minerva Community Band, and a firing squad was provided by Don V. Cross American Legion Post 357.

A service inside the chapel included speaker Frank Kemp, a Marine veteran of Vietnam who also served in the Army National Guard. When Kemp concluded his talk, he presented master of ceremonies and West Township Memorial Association President Shirley Whiteleather Fox with a stick pin bearing a floral red poppy. Stephen Smith, a planning committee member, was master of ceremonies for the outdoor service.

Others on hand for the event were association vice president Jeff Haynam; secretary Diana Richeson; treasurer William Ellis; and board members Joseph and Sarah Ellis.

During the indoor ceremony, Pastor Wally Anderson gave the invocation and benediction. Barb Burchett provided special music and Joseph Ellis led more than 150 attendees in patriotic songs.

Boy Scout Troup #150 from Minerva joined West Township Memorial Association members in placing 250 flags on veterans graves on Sunday, May 29, 2022, in Moultrie Cemetery and others in the area.
Boy Scout Troup #150 from Minerva joined West Township Memorial Association members in placing 250 flags on veterans graves on Sunday, May 29, 2022, in Moultrie Cemetery and others in the area.
These youngsters were among the group that worked to place American flags on graves of veterans on May 29, 2022, in the Minerva area.
These youngsters were among the group that worked to place American flags on graves of veterans on May 29, 2022, in the Minerva area.

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: West Twp. Memorial Association marks Memorial Day