- Last Updated on Tuesday, 02 October 2018 18:55
A dedication ceremony of the new Honor Roll for Veterans of Union Township and Finleyville was held at the Veterans Memorial Park, Brownsville Road in Finleyville on September 8, 2018.
The Union Township Honor Roll monument dedicated September 8, 2018 |
Veteran Bill ‘Elky’ Castor who was a driving force to build the new memorial remembers standing in the rain at a veteran’s memorial service in Finleyville. It was that rain that planted and watered the seed for Castor to push for a new memorial for local veterans. So it was fitting that the rain returned on this day that the memorial was dedicated, much as it did the day the idea came to Castor.
The rainy dedication day did not hamper attendance however. Approximately 60 veterans, plus their families and area residents, were present along with many local dignitaries. Union Township Supervisors were joined by Washington County commissioners, Harlan Shober and Larry Maggi, along with Senator Camera Bartolotta and PA State Rep. Rick Saccone, who was the master of ceremonies. The national anthem and military hymns were lead by Samantha Middlemiss. Veterans were asked to stand during their branches’ anthem.
Pennsylvania is ranked 4th in the number of veterans serving our country and there are over 400 names on the Union Township and Finleyville Honor Roll. Supervisor Rick Lawson emphasized that if any veterans have been overlooked, to please call the township office.
Bill and Cleta Castor wanted to extend their thanks to Rick and Debbie Lawson, and Heather and Kevin Daerr – who set-up, decorated and did clean-up for the event.
(Photos and info courtesy of Karl Kelley.)
Go to our "photo gallery" to view more images of this event.