Veteran's Day program to honor all military
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

The flags of the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy and Coast Guard will be dedicated at the Veteran's Day ceremony Sunday at the VFW.

Five new flags are flying at the Greencastle VFW and on Sunday they will be dedicated during the Veteran's Day Service.

The flagpoles, representing each branch of the armed forces, were purchased by family members of veterans. Plaques on behalf of each man will eventually be placed at the bases.

"Seeing these flags makes you think of the sacrifices made so you can walk down the street and look at the flags," said VFW Club president Matt Koons.

The project, completed in August, is the result of years of thought and generous donations by community members.

Koons had suggested acknowledging each branch years ago, but only recently did the idea take hold.

When people became aware of the thought, they stepped forward to buy a flagpole.

Rose Hudson and family purchased one in memory of her husband Bill. William J. Hudson was in the Army during World War II. He was wounded during his service from July 1944 to August 1945.

Jean Oravetz and family are remembering her husband with the Air Force flag. Michael G. Oravetz retired as a major. He also served in the Navy and Army Air Corp during World War II, in Korea and in Vietnam.

The family of Joseph E. Kugler bought the Navy flagpole. He served in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres during World War II from January 1944 to October 1945.

Richard Freeman, Sr. and family are honoring his father and his brother, both Marines. Geoffrey B. Freeman, Jr., 86, served in Okinawa from 1942 to 1945. Terry L. Rush was at the Tet Offensive in Vietman, and served from 1964 to 1968.

The Coast Guard, the smallest of the services, does not have a donor yet. The VFW purchased the supplies in the interim.

"They are just men from all walks of life," said Koons. "They had a sense of patriotism."

Koons is grateful for Freeman's contribution to everyone. As owner of Greencastle Bronze and Granite, Freeman was able to provide the poles at a discount. He also mounted the poles and flags.

Greencastle VFW Post 6319 is also dedicating its VFW flag to all post officers, past and present, and its United States flag to Harry D. Zeigler, after whom the post was named. Zeigler was aboard the carrier Lexington and died at the Battle of the Coral Sea when he was 19 years old. He served from October 1940 until May 1942.

Koons, 40, extends credit to all members of the VFW and Auxiliary. Their service as officers and in sponsored events is voluntary. They place flags on the graves of veterans, attend funerals and march in parades. They, as well as members of the American Legion Post 373 and Auxiliary, do much for the community, he said.

The Veteran's Day service is Nov. 11 at 408 S. Washington St. at 11 a.m. Lunch will be provided afterwards. The program is sponsored by both the VFW and American Legion.