Capt. Thomas Bernard (U.S. Coast Guard-ret.), who served as the program’s guest speaker; Dave Clements, past commander of Middle Peninsula Detachment #1317 of the Marine Corps League and detachment chaplain Rick Stanley, from left, salute the flag at the colors are retired by members of the Gloucester High School NJROTC. Morey Alexander, American Legion Post 83 adjutant, at right, receives his Vietnam War pin from Commissioner Ellen Marie Hess of the Virginia Employment Commission during the program in Mathews. At left is VEC employee George T. Gagnon, who served in Vietnam in 1970-71. Photo by Charlie Koenig Lt. Col. Jim Gierlak (U.S. Army-ret.), left, presents a certificate of appreciation to John Quarstein, the guest speaker at the service at St. Therese. Photo by Charlie Koenig Bugler Tom Robinson of Moon performed at Sunday’s service at the DAV headquarters in Gloucester. He played a restored Confederate bugle had been broken into three pieces during the army’s retreat from Richmond, he said. Behind him is DAV member Mack McCallon. Photo by Charlie Koenig Continuous Membership Awards were presented to Legionnaires at Sunday’s ceremony in Mathews. Pictured with the program’s guest speakers Josh Menges, at left, and Rob Shores, far right, are, from left, Legionnaires Buddy Waymack, Ray Fleischer, Jack Cranford, Charlie Brown, Roney Leitner, Frank Lohr, Robert Petersen, Don Tellock, Richard Jones, John Cannon (in back), Paul Reardon and Allen Moughon. Photo by Charlie Koenig Guest speaker Col. William Townsley (U.S. Air Force-ret.) spoke about his harrowing escape after crashing in a mission during the Vietnam War at Sunday’s DAV ceremony. Photo by Charlie Koenig Robert Berry, chaplain of VFW Post 75, Gloucester, and Cadet Commander Kaitlynn George, commanding officer of the NJROTC unit at Gloucester High School, during Sunday’s Veterans Day ceremony at the courthouse. Photo by Charlie Koenig Larry Espiritu reads “In Flanders Fields” during the 13th annual Veterans Brunch St. Therese Roman Catholic Church in Gloucester, hosted by Fr. McCarthy Council 9428, Knights of Columbus. Photo by Charlie Koenig Dan Miller, past chapter commander and past state commander of the Disabled American Veterans, receives his Vietnam pin from Commissioner Ellen Marie Hess of the Virginia Employment Commission during the ceremony at the DAV chapter. Photo by Charlie Koenig Paul Bauer with the Gloucester Veterans Memorial Committee prepares to lay a wreath at the Gloucester Veterans Memorial Wall at the conclusion of the Veterans Day program sponsored by Detachment #1317 of the Marine Corps League. He is accompanied by Gloucester High School NJROTC Cadet First Class Petty Officer Hannah “Puff” Howard. Photo by Charlie Koenig Marine Corps League Commandant Mike Gilberti, center, presents a certificate to Brigitte Drake of Kilmarnock, the widow of Maj. Lyle Dean Drake. The Gloucester Court House service was dedicated to the memory of Drake, who died in August. At left, past commandant David Clements holds a bouquet of flowers for Mrs. Drake. Photo by Charlie Koenig Rosemary Eaton, right, received the Mathews Post 83 Ladies Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year Award from their Secretary/Treasurer Lynda Alexander. Additionally she received a “Spouse Pin” for her husband Ron Eaton’s service during the Vietnam era. Photo by Charlie Koenig

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