The Fayette County Honor Guard recently gathered, with spouses and family members, in the community room at the American Legion Post 25 for their annual Christmas Dinner.
There were three speakers on the agenda for this festive evening. Mr. Buck Harris, vice president of the Honor Guard, was the first speaker. He thanked all the men and women who make up the Veteran Honor Guard. There have been approximately 250 burials this year. Harris reminded everyone present of the purpose of the Honor Guard: to provide a service that epitomizes the dignity that is due any veteran as well as shows respect to the family and to the deceased veteran.
Karla Morrison, secretary/investigator for the Fayette County Veterans Service Commission, spoke to those in attendance about the dedication of the members of the Honor Guard and the dedication of those veterans who are members of the Fayette County Veterans Service Commission. Without dedicated veterans, now serving the country and the county in a different way, there would be no Service Commission in Fayette County and there would be no assistance for local veterans.
The final speaker of the evening was Mr. Paul LaRue who will be an active member of the Ohio Commission for the 2017 World War Centennial. According to LaRue, the United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917. Approximately 263,000 Ohioans served this country during World War I. Approximately 116,000 Americans lost their lives during the war, including approximately 50 from Fayette County.
The American Battle Monuments Commission oversees 25 cemeteries in 16 countries from all wars. Of the 116,000 Americans who died during the “War To End All Wars,” as World War I was called, 35,000 are buried in France, including several soldiers from Fayette County.
The remainder of the evening was spent in fellowship with those present.
