Annual Banquet Pays Homage To Area Veterans

There were approximately 450 people in attendance and 180 veterans were honored.

Pictured (left to right): Fred Lester, PG Gentrup, Ed Shannon, Marty Sizemore and Mark Thesken Donated to Vietnam Veterans Chapter # 71 Statue of Three Soldiers at the Wall in Washington, DC. Photo of painting by artist, Mark Thesken. Photo provided. 

(Undated) - The sixth annual banquet opened with an outstanding buffet supper provided by the church crew led by Judy Potts. The program started at 6:30 PM with the colors being presented by the Sea Cadets led by Scott Novinger. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance while being led by the American Heritage Girls and the Trail Life Boys. Safe Harbor did a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. There were approximately 450 people in attendance and 180 veterans were honored.

PG Gentrup took the stage and thanked everyone for coming and for paying tribute to the “Backbone of the USA” our veterans. He then called for Jerry Bondurant, Donnie Bryant and Quinn Burdette to come to the stage. PG told the story about how Walt Bryant, who served in the Army for 21 years and two tours in Vietnam, was murdered on January 19, 2018. Walt was just a wonderful man.  He was the recipient of two Purple Hearts and three Bronze Stars.  They presented an American Flag that had been flown over the Capital in Indianapolis in Walt’s honor to Quinn Burdette because he and Walt were good friends and Quinn respected Walt so much. Quinn’s family, Caz & Denise and younger brother, Evan, joined him onstage. Donnie Bryant, Walt’s brother, was presented with an afghan, handmade by Maura Boze, in memory of Walt.  Maura loves our veterans and the USA.  Gentrup then presented a beautiful plaque, with the American Flag, U.S. Constitution and Bald Eagle on it, to Jerry Bondurant for his dedicated service to area veterans. Jerry, like Walt, did so much to pay tribute to our veterans, especially the departed ones, with his service to three local Color Guards. We will never forget Walt Bryant.

Gentrup also recognized Vietnam Veteran and classmate, Dave Teke, who recently lost his wife, Linda. Dave and Linda, for several years, took the lead in Southeastern Indiana in honoring veterans. Dave has worked at nearly 50 Moving Walls around the USA and brought it to Lawrenceburg. PG introduced Celeste Calvitto and Chuck Waggoner, representing State Rep. Randy Frye. Melanie Douglas, Regional Director for Senator Joe Donnelly, was introduced and the Vietnam Veterans thanked her for Vietnam Veterans Day in Indianapolis on March 29 sponsored by Sen. Joe Donnelly.

Gentrup introduced Charlie and Shorty Booker, parents of KR Booker, who was killed in Iraq as a Gold Star Family.  He also spoke about his two classmates at LCHS, Tommy Denning and Lary Fogle, who were killed in Vietnam.  Today would have been the 93rd birthday of Lawrence “Buddy” Foster and the crowd sang Happy Birthday to him and his daughter and son-in-law, Genie and Tim Sandford, joined in. Tom, JD & Donna Largent were introduced for their faithful and dedicated service to the Korean War Veterans Association in Aurora, especially for their leading of the Color Guard for funeral details. Roger Jones was introduced as the Commander of the Rising Sun Legion and Fred Lester, Mary Sizemore and Ed Shannon were introduced for their many years of leading the Southeastern Indiana Vietnam Veterans of America Lary D. Fogle Post # 71.

Tim Kieffer and the Patriot Guard Riders were in attendance and had put out several American Flags outside the church.  Tim presented a plaque in memory of Walt Bryant to his brother, Donnie and the Bryant Family in attendance.  Gentrup encouraged the veterans to make sure their stories get told and written down to pass on to the future generations.  He also told them to get involved with joining the Legion, VFW, Vietnam Veterans, KWVA, DAV, 40&8 and being a member of a Color Guard to help pay that final tribute to our departed veterans. Autrey Watkins did a wonderful rendition of America the Beautiful for the audience. DJ Atkins then took the stage and sang IN COLOR and IF YOU’RE READING THIS.  DJ always does a great job.

The group, Safe in the Harbor, then sang two patriotic songs. They are very patriotic and love paying tribute to our veterans.

Tori Bamberger and her mom, Angie Little, sang MILITARY HALLELUJAH and brought a few tears to the crowd. They sang a few songs from the 60’s to honor the Vietnam Veterans. They are just so talented and the audience loved them.

Hank Little, accompanied by Dan McAdams on the guitar, sang ARLINGTON and SEMPER FI for the Marines. Artist, Mark Thesken, came to the stage and did two paintings for the crowd. He is just amazing and the crowd watches in awe as he performs and completes a painting. He did a painting of a soldier saluting with the inverted rifle stuck in the ground with mountains and helicopters flying for a scene in Vietanm and presented it to the church.  He then did one for the Chapter # 71 Vietnam Veterans of the Statue of the Three Soldiers in Washington, DC with WELCOME HOME under it for them to take with them and presented it to Marty Sizemore, Fred Lester and Ed Shannon.

Landon Smith, who has magic in his fingers, played the piano to perfection with his rendition of As Time Goes By and the outstanding playing of the Military Medley.  What a God given talent he has. Judy Wesley, who is the ANGEL for our Veterans, then took over with her heart filled love for all our Veterans. Judy works so hard and as soon as the yearly banquet is completed she starts working on the one for next year. Her dedication goes Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.  She introduced all veterans in attendance and each was presented with an insulated drinking cup. She presented the names of over 100 veterans that we have lost since the banquet last year. Judy then told about the poen she wrote dedicated to veterans that came to her in a dream one night and then recited it for the crowd.  She has recited this at several funerals for veterans.  She introduced the World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Iraq & Afghanistan veterans and some serving today. Judy thanked the City of Rising Sun for helping with their donation to help send Care Packages to our troops overseas.  OCEMS in Rising Sun has the school kids bring in food and other items the soldiers can use to send overseas.  She thanked the KWVA and Celeste Calvitto for their generous donations for the banquet. Our veterans have been truly blessed by her presence and dedication to all veterans.  Pastor Corey Potts and the church are very thankful for all she does. We, as Veterans, can’t say THANK YOU enough !

I would encourage you to try to attend this banquet next year. Whether it’s your first time or you have been there before, you’ll have a great time and anybody who has been there will let you know that it’s a night you’ll long remember.  Call 812-623-0173 for information.