This story appears in the May 27-June 2 edition of The Centre County Gazette
Two veteran groups from rural central Pennsylvania may not have as many members as they once had, but they have never lagged in honoring the dead from all wars on Memorial Day. The two nonprofit groups have combined forces to honor those who lost their lives for the rest of us.
The practice has gone on for many years.
On Monday, members of the color guard of the American Legion of Clarence Post 813, and of the VFW of Snow Shoe Post 5644 will travel to five plaque sites and seven cemeteries.
“They travel among the sites to honor the fallen men and women who served their country,” Mike Kachik, sergeant at arms of the American Legion of Clarence, said, “A speaker will share remarks at the Pine Glen, Moshannon, Clarence and Snow Shoe plaques, and at the Askey Cemetery, the last one to be visited.”
Kachik has participated in this activity for 30 years, and he expressed his pride in the color guard.
“We have had so many compliments about the job these people do, and it makes me glad to be a part of them,” Kachik said.
His wife, daughter and son all are part of the Legion, Sons of the American Legion or Legion Auxiliary so it is a family service opportunity.
Around 25 people will take part in the memorial services at the plaques and cemeteries. Auxiliary members of the American Legion and the VFW, and the Sons of the American Legion will place flowers at the plaques.
Since January 2020, the color guard has taken part in 21 military funerals.
VFW arose as an organization after survivors of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection banded together in 1899. They had no health care and no pensions. The vets needed someplace to go to receive advice and help with housing and medical problems. Many were injured and facing years of rehabilitation.
The American Legion is a patriotic veteran organization that Congress chartered in 1919 for vets of all branches of the United States Military.
The services will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Pinewood Cemetery and end up at the Askey Cemetery around noon on Memorial Day.
