Turnbow-Higgs American Legion Post 240 conducted its annual Post Everlasting Memorial Service during the regular 3rd Tuesday Meal Meeting held March 19, 2019. This Memorial Service Honors deceased Post 240 Legionnaires that reported to Post Everlasting during the previous year of March 2018 - February 2019. Those honored were James Choate, USAF, V’NAM; LeRoy Griffin, Army, WWII; Harold Walker, Navy, WWII; James Watkins, USMC, Grenada; George Wilson, Army, Korea; Robert Wortley, Army, WWII.
Special guests were next of kin family members, Johnette Knudson & Stephanie Sheperd, daughters of Harold Walker & Avril Todd, daughter of Robert Wortley accepted Post Everlasting resolutions from Post 240 Commander Ron Henry. Accepting resolutions for next of kin families not in attendance were Richard & Janis Petronis for James Choate; Joanna Lay for Leroy Griffin; Marine, Sid Moon for Marine David Watkins; Francine Pratt for George Wilson.
Photo (L-R) Ron Henry, Francine Pratt, Joanna Lay, Richard Petronis, Sid Moon, Bobby Todd, Matt Hallgarth, Stephanie Shepherd, Ole Knudson & Mike Pratt. Seated (L-R) Janis Petronis, Avril Todd & Daughter Tricia and Johnette Knudson
Post 240 Commander, Ron Henry, began Memorial Service by issuing the ‘stack rifles’ command to Post 240 Honor guard. From parade rest and stationed to far left of head-table, Honor Guard (L-R) Burton Smith, Jimmy Finney & Eddie Torrez marched to front of podium where stacking of rifles was accomplished. Commander Henry continued service by instructing Chaplain, Matt Hallgarth (L) and (acting) Adjutant, Mike Pratt, (R) to transfer Legionnaires membership records to Post Everlasting via eternal flame. Memorial Service continued with bugle Taps played by Michael Pratt Jr. followed by Commander calling Post Everlasting next of kin to podium for presentation of the following resolution.
Resolution
Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God, The Great Commander, to summon to the immortal Legions our beloved comrade, (NAME), and
Where as, We humbly bow to the will of the Divine Providence, while ever cherishing in our hearts the memory of distinguished service to our country and outstanding contributions to American Legion comradeship; now, therefore be it
Resolved, that Turnbow-Higgs Post 240, The American Legion does mourn the passing of our comrade, (NAME), that we commend to all the works, and to God the spirit; and be it further
Resolved, That in token of our common grief, a copy of this resolution transferring (NAME) to Post Everlasting, The American Legion, be presented to the next of kin.
Chaplain Matt Hallgarth closed the Memorial Service with the following prayer.
O GOD of all our yesterdays, our todays, and our tomorrows, we pause together in the quietness of remembrance to linger in thought over our comrades whose names have rung out in our hearing as one who has transferred from our ranks to Post Everlasting. A short time ago they stood before us. We laughed and labored and lived out a portion of our lives in a common cause. They contributed, in some fashion, large or small, to what we all were when they were in our midst. We have not been untouched by what they did and who they were. In such a moment as this, we are keenly aware of YOUR own everlasting presence, and as our only remaining link with our former comrades, we salute YOU and commend them to YOU with trust and expectation. Whatever battle stars or ribbons they may have deservedly won, perhaps unknown to us, on the battlefields of life, YOU will award. May they stand before YOU now as before a beloved captain in eager readiness for whatever is to come. And as we close this evening… let us depart in peace, and in love and charity with our neighbors. May we be joined together in the common goal of service to our GOD and country. Let us drive safely and carefully to our homes and may GOD’s blessings be with us. AMEN
Submitted by Roger Easter, Past Post 240 Commander/Adjutant/Historian & current Hubmaster Stephenville, TX - rogeaster@live.com
