With red, white, blue buntings gracing the window sills the large white framed 1893 building was abound with tribute, gratitude and honor in memory of those lost in conflicts. Minerva’s Whetstone VFW Post 4120 Honor Guard began the outdoor program with a salute to fallen soldiers, followed by taps played by Katie Reusser. Jeff Haynam, vice president of the West Township Memorial Association, welcome the crowd. President Shirley Whiteleather Fox led the children on a march through the cemetery to place cut flowers on the graves of soldiers and veterans. The Minerva Community Band, under the direction of Derrick Maxey, performed Patriotic selections.

Piper Lynn Locke, a fifth grader of Minerva Elementary School, recited Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address.” Piper is the daughter of Todd Locke and Jill Whiteleather. Fifth graders from West Township have been selected to do this honor for over 75 years. It was a first that father and daughter teamed as the speaker for the indoor program and the reciter “Gettysburg Address.”

Todd Locke, who served in the Marine Corps for five years, spoke of his service, which included being part of a prestigious role in HMX-1, the Presidential Helicopter Squadron, where he was among a select few entrusted with the maintaining helicopters that transported the President of the United States. Over three years Locke traveled extensively alongside the president, ensuring the fleet remained in top condition. Locke shared while aboard the ship the U.S.S. Belleau Wood of a Memorial Day service that told the story of how the ship received it’s name. The Battle of Belleau Wood fought from June 1 to June 26, 1918 in WWI, resulted in a decisive American victory after fierce hand-to-hand combat. The Marines, outnumbered four to one, drove the German forces from Belleau Wood, a significant area near the Marne River in France. This victory boosted Allied morale and marked the debut of the US Maine Corps as a modern ground-combat force. Thirty-one officers and 1,056 men in the Marine brigade were casualties. Soldiers such as these, many before and after this era, who gave their all are to be remembered for their sacrifice. Locke who lives with his wife, Jill and their three children in West Township concluded we all should be grateful for the country we live in, it is like no other.

All veterans in attendance were given special recognition. Among the several veterans, were two World War II veterans, Bill Pilati, 100, Battle of the Bulge survivor, of Minerva; and Harriet Miller Jones, an army nurse who served overseas in England. Harriet is a West Township resident, who at the age of 103 remains the last surviving World War II veteran of West Township.

On Saturday, May 25, 11 scouts, leader and parents of Troop 150 from Minerva traveled to West Township to help place 230 flags on the soldiers lost in combat and veterans in Moultrie Chapel Cemetery with the Memorial Association. The West Township Memorial Association hosts the annual service every Memorial Day at Moultrie Chapel. The organization also places flags at all other cemeteries in West Township; Quaker Ridge, The Plains, Chambersburg, New Alexander, and Edwards. The group is pictured in front of the West Township Honor Roll Board of WWII, located on the east side of Moultrie Chapel. (Submitted photo)

Special music was performed by Carys Hooser, a recent Minerva High School graduate, and the daughter of Brad and Amy Hooser of Minerva. Joseph Ellis led the congregation in a group sing of three songs with pianist Diana Richeson. Shirley Whiteleather Fox presided over the indoor service. She made note of the attendance of the many children and the importance of them participating in the march to decorate the veterans graves and learning the meaning of Memorial Day. The West Township Association hosts the service yearly and the West Township Trustees maintain the cemeteries.

The Edwards burial plot for two sons and a father: Plummer, Thomas and Oliver Edwards. These Civil War veterans buried on their home place on Hanson Road in West Township received a new look. The old wooden fence had declined over the years. The Whetstone VFW Post 4120, Jake and Sharon Keister, Kevin and Courtney Hein, Scott and Sally Hein, along with Dick Lippincott provided a new white fence and plantings for these men who died in the mid-1860’s. They served in the Civil War and were known for building stone houses in the area. (Submitted photo)