200 Veterans, "Big Joe" Honored At Banquet

Trinity Christian Center hosted a crowd of 500 for its annual Veterans Banquet on Saturday, May 18.

Six recipients of a Quilt of Valor from Rivertown Quilters: (left to right) Bob Savage, World War II Navy; Clarence Cook, WWII Army; Bobby Lischkge, WWII Army; Leo Kittle, WWII Army; Carroll "Jockey" Ammons, Korean War Army; and Alice Schuler, WWII Army WAC. Photo provided.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - The Annual Trinity Christian Center Veterans Banquet was held at the church center located on Pribble Road in Lawrenceburg, on Saturday, May 18, 2019. It was a capacity crowd with 500 in attendance, including 200 veterans. The Patriot Guard Riders, led by Southeastern Indiana Ride Captain, Tim Kieffer, had placed dozens of American Flags around the grounds on 8’ poles to really bring attention to the event and also helped with the parking of the cars.  You can always count on Tim and the PGR.

The people enjoyed a wonderful full buffet supper that was prepared by the church crew, which was led by Judy Potts.  Judy and her volunteers always have an outstanding array of food and nobody goes hungry, and that includes dessert. The program started with the presentation of the American Flag by the Sea Cadets and led by Scott and Michelle Novinger.  You need to see these young Patriotic Americans in action to fully appreciate just how sharp and dedicated they are.  The Pledge of Allegiance followed and was led by the American Heritage Girls and the Trail Life Boys.  The National Anthem was proudly offered by the group Safe in the Harbor.

Emcee Rick Pieper started the night’s activities off by welcoming everybody and thanking them for coming out to support our veterans.  Rick always speaks from the heart and did another excellent job of introducing the people coming on the stage and keeping the program flowing.

First on stage was PG Gentrup and he spoke to the crowd about some of the activities that the veterans have been doing in our area in the past year.  Some of them are: The annual trip to Washington, DC for veterans; the preparation for the LST-325 coming to Aurora for the Bi-Centennial celebration this coming September; another trip to Wright Patterson Air Force Base for 56 veterans, sponsored by the Mayor and City Council of Lawrenceburg;  a trip to Shelbyville, IN to see the Black Hawk Helicopters and trying to acquire a Huey Helicopter for the riverfront in Aurora; a trip for 56 veterans to see the War Memorial, WWII, Korea and Vietnam Memorials in Indianapolis; helping with the construction and planning for the new memorials at Cook Park in Greendale for police officers, veterans, EMS personnel and firefighters; helping with the Dearborn County Veterans Court led by Judge Jonathan Cleary; helping other veterans with getting a ramp for their home and equipment to use to make a disabled veteran’s life easier; many funeral details with three Color Guards from Lawrenceburg, Aurora and Rising Sun; Lawrenceburg Fall Fest and the presentation of Purple Heart Plaques; the Rivertown Quilters and their presentation of Quilts of Valor for veterans and other programs for various holidays and recognition of area veterans. Gentrup then recognized Vietnam Veterans Chapter 71 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 75 Commander, Fred Lester. Also, Korean War Veterans Chapter 4 Commander, Elvin Newmann, was introduced and representing the State Disabled American Veterans were Donald Peek the Junior State Commander, John Diehl, State Chaplain and Dolores Chalker the State Inspector General.  The DAV does a wonderful job of assisting our veterans.   John Moton, Southern Indiana Coordinator, was in attendance representing U.S. Senator, Mike Braun, and John is helping with the acquisition of the Huey Helicopter by Sen. Braun’s office as well as working with Ryan Jarmula with Congressman Greg Pence’s office.

Gentrup then introduced Gold Star wife Sandy Barry.  Sandy’s husband, Richard Wayne Sanders, was killed in action 50 years ago this past October and the Vietnam Veterans participated in a ceremony at Riverview Cemetery in Aurora to commemorate that event.  Sandy and Rick’s daughter, Dawn, was born seven months after Rick’s death.  They will be going to Washington, DC with PG and other veterans on the annual bus trip and will get to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (the WALL) to see Rick’s name. Tim Denning and his wife, Janelle, were also recognized because Tim is a Gold Star Brother, having lost his older brother, Tommy Denning, in Vietnam.  Gentrup spoke about his friend and classmate, Tommy, and also about another classmate who was killed in Vietnam, Lary D. Fogle.

Six veterans were called forward by Gentrup to receive a Quilt of Valor from the Rivertown Quilters Club, located in Lawrenceburg.  These ladies do a remarkable job of paying tribute to our veterans and have presented dozens of quilts to some of America’s finest.  They were represented by Sheila Stevenson, Kitty Parkhurst, Alsion Nevin and Bonnie Kernan.  What they do to brighten the day of a veteran is just amazing.  Five of the recipients were World War II Veterans:  Bob Savage, WWII Navy; Bobby Lischkge WWII Army; Alice Schuler WWII Army WAC; Clarence Cook WWII Army; Leo Kittle WWII Army and one Korean War Veteran, Carroll “Jockey” Ammons, Army.  The World War II Veterans range in age from 92-95.  Bob Savages’s brother, Frank Savage, was in attendance and he received a QOV a few years ago and will be 98 years old on June 16.  It’s such an honor for all of us to be able to pay tribute to America’s Greatest Generation.

Two recipients of plaques in honor and memory of Big Joe Halloran. (Left to right) Ohio County Sheriff Glen Potts, Missy Halloran King (daughter of Joe), Joe's widow, Kathy, and Ron Spurlock. Photo provided.

Gentrup then called Jerry Bondurant, Ron Spurlock, Glen Potts and Kathy Halloran to the stage.  A tribute was played on the big screen to honor Vietnam Veteran and close friend of all veterans, Big Joe Halloran, who passed away back in November.  Joe had a big heart and was loved by all.

Kathy, Joe’s widow, was presented a beautiful afghan hand made by Maura Boze.  Maura each year presents one of these and they are very much appreciated.  Jerry Bondurant, PG and Kathy then presented two beautiful plaques to United States Marine, Ron Spurlock and Ohio County Sheriff, Glen Potts, in memory of Big Joe.  Ron served in Vietnam and Glen retired as a Colonel, having served in the Army and Air Force.  Joe was close to both of them and they were shocked to be receiving these plaques in honor and in memory of Big Joe.  They were well deserved.

Tori Bamberger and Angie Little then came to the stage to sing Military Hallelujah and it was one of those songs that touches the heart.  Tori and Angie always stir up your emotions with their beautiful singing.

DJ Atkin performed Letters From Home and Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.  DJ is one outstanding singer and we appreciate him coming out to honor our veterans.

Safe in the Harbor came back to sing "I Will Stand" and the crowd appreciated their participation and a song that touched many.

Tori Bamberger, Angie Little, Tish Owens and Gary Jordan presented an American Medley and the singing was another outstanding tribute to our veterans and active military personnel.

Hank Little and Dan McAdams always are there to support our veterans and Hank is a Proud United States Marine and not afraid to let you know it.  Hank sang If You’re Reading This and then finished with his rendition of a real tear jerker, Arlington.  This song, Arlington, brings a message home to us about the sacrifices that are made for our freedoms.

The Ross Rain Band then performed When I’m Gone and Chicken Fried.  They have been performing all over the USA and graciously agreed to perform while home for a short break.

Our old buddy, Landon Smith, once again got the crowd jumping with his amazing playing of the piano and he played As Time Goes By and his famous Military Medley.  There is magic in Landon’s fingers and he always delights the crowd with his playing.

Event coordinator and a true angel on earth, Judy Wesley, came up to present her portion of the program and it was time to “hang on to your hat’ because, the lady with the huge and I mean huge heart, gave her thanks to her veterans that she has so much appreciation for.  Judy has led this event for seven years and was the founder of it.  She had the list of all the veterans, who passed away in the last year in our area, on the big screen and played the video Angel Flight, a video about returning the body of a fallen soldier.  Judy read the poem she wrote a few years ago titled What is A Veteran and she has read it at several funerals.

All veterans in attendance were presented with a coffee mug, courtesy of Trinity Center, and introduced to the overflow crowd.

Vietnam Veterans were called forward to be pinned with a 50th Anniversary Vietnam Pin from Judy and the church.  They were pinned on by Jerry Bondurant, Ron Spurlock and PG Gentrup.

Special thanks to some of the major contributors for the event:  Korean War Veterans Chapter 4 in Aurora; Southeastern Indiana Lary D Fogle Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 71, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 75, Perfect Family and State Representatve Randy Frye, along with Celeste Calvitto.

Plans are already in progress by Judy and her crew for the big event next year.  The crowd get bigger and bigger each year and as the word gets out about this sincere display of affection for our veterans, it will continue to grow and be one of the highlights of the year for our veterans.

Pastor Corey Potts ended the evening with a performance on the piano and singing to thank those veterans and friends for attending and telling what an honor it is to be able to put this banquet on for so many great American Warriors and Patriots.  God Bless all of you.

 

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