Beech Tree News Network

The weather was gorgeous for the Memorial Day Program presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 5837 on Monday, May 29th.  The crowd was overwhelming this year on the courthouse lawn, so much so, that chairs had to be taken from the courthouse offices to accommodate all the individuals that came to participate in the program. It was recognized that the memorial brick wall in front of the courthouse is now complete with 1000 names.  Each branch of service is represented in the front of the wall by a flag and was on display as several visited the wall taking pictures and remembering their loved ones.
People of all ages and veterans from all branches and years of service were present to partake in the ceremony.  Welcoming remarks were made by Sherry Webster, President of the VFW Auxiliary.  After the opening ceremonies, Georgia Romans, Regent of Butler County NSDAR took the podium to read three letters from soldiers that were written during World War I.  The letters gave a powerful insight into the fears, excitements, and the homesickness of the men serving overseas at that time.  All soldiers who wrote these letters were residents of Butler County.

Roger Givens, President of the Sons of the American Revolution, presented his chapter and made it known that as of November 2016 they were official.  He presented Ms. Gladys Brooks the Martha Washington Certificate and Medal for all the work she did in establishing their group.
During the memorial recognition, the bell on the courthouse lawn was rung for each branch of service as the names of those who died in the war were read.  Following this time of recognition was Mrs. Darlene Scott to present to the audience her work with the ButlerCounty Piece Makers. 

The group comes together to make quilts for veterans in their appreciation of their service.  During the service the following veterans received quilts:

Raymond S. Kasen
Harry Eddie Sublett
George Willis Givens
Ronald Hammers
James “Jimmy” Hampton
Paul Randall “PR” Webster

Veteran Doug Odle played taps as Sherry Webster, Georgia Romans, and Melanie Hunt, Green River Chapter NSDAR, performed the ceremony for the laying of the wreath concluding the program.

The VFW Auxiliary would like to thank all those who participated in the program and a big thank you to Dewayne Haynes for providing the sound system.
A copy of the entire program’s participants are as follows:

Welcome                        Sherry Webster, President, VFW Auxiliary
Presentation of Flags        Navy JR ROTC, Butler County High School
Pledge of Allegiance         Dana Phelps, Treasurer, VFW Auxiliary
National Anthem              Rachel Johnson
Prayer                           Collin Coots
Reading: World War I        Georgia Romans, Regent, Butler Co. DAR
Amazing Grace                Hollie Coleman
Memorial Recognition        Melanie Hunt, Regent, Green River DAR
Presentation                   Roger Givens, President, Gen. Richard Butler County Chapter SAR
Quilt of Valor                  Darlene Scott, B.C. KY Piece Makers
Traveling Soldier              Lydia Bratcher
Laying of Wreath            Sherry Webster, Georgia Romans, Melanie Hunt
Taps                             Doug Odle, Vietnam Veteran