On Saturday May 27, The Town of Shenandoah held its 20th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the VFW Post 8613. Mayor Clinton Lucas welcomed the large crowd to the morning’s ceremony and announced the arrival of World War II Veterans. These veterans were escorted to the ceremony by limo and arrived to a standing ovation from the flag waving crowd.
Pastor Paul Strassner from the Shenandoah Baptist Church gave the Invocation.
Avis O. Comer VFW Post 8613 member and Army National Guard solder raised the American Flag.
The mayor’s daughter Monica Brewer sang the National Anthem. Afterwards everyone recited the pledge of Allegiance.
Presentation of Appreciation to WWII Veterans was made by Mayor Lucas and VFW Commander Tommy Jenkins.
The mayor called members of all branches of the service, to assemble in front of the stage while the armed service songs from each military branch was being played; Anchors Aweigh for the U.S. Navy, The Caissons Go Rolling Along for the U.S. Army, The Wild Blue Yonder for the U.S. Air Force, The Marines Hymn for the U.S. Marine Corps and Semper Paratus for the U.S. Coast Guard.
The special guest speaker was Shenandoah native LTC. Jennifer Rothgeb Martin. LTC Martin was also the Grand Marshal of the parade. LTC Jennifer Rothgeb Martin is the Commander for Recruiting and Retention for the Virginia Army National Guard. She has 113 Soldiers under her command and is responsible for manning the Virginia Army National Guard strength to 7,400 Soldiers. LTC Martin joined the Virginia Army National Guard in 1992 as an enlisted Soldier as a helicopter refueler and was commissioned in 1997 as a Second Lieutenant in the Quarter Master Corps in the Regular Army through the James Madison University Reserve Officer Training Corps. Following assignments with the 54th Quartermaster Company and the 49th Quartermaster Special Troops Battalion at Fort Lee, Virginia. LTC Martin again joined the Virginia Army National Guard in 2000 became a full time National Guard Officer in 2003. LTC Martin has held positions at the company, battalion, brigade, division, and state level. In May 2007 to February 2008, she deployed to Baghdad, Iraq as the J1 (Human Resources Officer) for the Joint Area Support Group. LTC Martin, her husband Matt, and daughter Mikaela reside in Afton, Virginia.
Vice Mayor Bill Kite & his wife performed a song dedicated to his mother who passed away last year.
Mayor Lucas paid tribute to the soldiers who gave all for our freedoms, and especially the 2 soldiers from Virginia killed in action since last Memorial Day; Sergeant Cameron Thomas and Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Dayton.
The mayor’s granddaughters Allyssa & Abby sang God Bless the USA, a patriotic song written and recorded by Lee Greenwood.
A wreath was place by the Veterans Memoria by post members and then Avis O Comer Post member David (Junebug) Lucas performed Taps.
In closing of the ceremony, Pastor Paul Strassner gave the Benediction.