City of Valor Veterans Celebration
The Knights of Columbus Leeds Council 5597 held their annual City of Valor Veterans Day Celebration at Leeds Memorial Park on Monday November 11. A large group gathered at Noon for the celebration and Dr. Bill Watkins, Knights of Columbus Council #5597, presided over the event. Leeds Valley Church Pastor Nate Farrow led an opening prayer. The American Heritage Girls led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Miss Leeds Area Samantha Hennings singing the National Anthem. Mayor David Miller spoke to the crowd about our liberties here in America and the fight for freedom. A memorial wreath, donated by Sharon Bailey with Kay’s Florist, was placed by Past Grand Knight Terry Taylor, and as part of the program in honor of and in memory of those who have served in the military, names were read aloud that had been submitted all during the year for recognition as follows:
Army: Greg Patterson, Floyd Byers, Doug Harley, Earnest Easters, Thorn Hendrix, Dr. Micheal Rowland, Emmett F. Roberts, Otis T. Reach, Frank Phillips, Doug Phillips, David Wawierina, Terrel Nall and Frank Vance, III. Navy: Marvin Brooks, James Watkins, Win Owens, Chris Schernak, Neil Blackfield, Leevon Stubbs, H. P. Cunningham, Hugh J. Kachelofer, Daniel Vujnorich, David Simmons and Ned Barrett. Air Force: Halold Olmsted, Edward Stolts, Anthony Burnell, Patrick Burnel, Daniel Cook, David Crabb, Bo Cannon and Spencer Frost. Marine Corp: Tiny Davidson and John Birmingham. Coast Guard: Richard Schmohl and George Schmohl.
Leeds High School Band Director, Chip Wise, played Taps. After the event, different groups had their pictures made.
“The American Heritage Girls from metro area troops representing Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Our Lady of the Valley Church, and Mt. Laurel, were honored to serve at today’s Leeds Veterans Day Ceremony,” shared Andrea Donovan, Troop Coordinator AL-1478 (Our Lady of Sorrows).
Other City of Valor Veterans Day events included a 5k and 1 mile fun run to benefit Leeds Main Street and Leeds Education Foundation, a City of Valor Pancake Breakfast which was free event to celebrate Veterans and tips went to the American Legion Post 107 Leeds for their Veterans programs. This event was sponsored by Leeds Main Street, Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce, Leeds Historical Society, Stratford Realty, Livery Event Center, Straight Mountain Catering and a host of local small businesses and individuals. The American Legion held their annual fish fry to benefit their kid’s Christmas program. Sweet Home Spirits, The Central Club and Neon Moon had Veterans specials.
The City of Leeds is known as the City of Valor with three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Hosting Veterans Day events is just one way local businesses, organizations and individuals celebrated local Veterans.
The Knights of Columbus Leeds Council #5597 is a faith-based, nonprofit, charitable organization with more than 75 members in Metro Leeds, dedicated to serving those in need. Their central objectives are charity, unity and patriotism. Charity includes time, talents and fiscal assistance. This group is open to men that are 18 years old and up. They meet monthly at Leeds Civic Center. Their local fundraisers to support their charity work include their Tootsie Roll Drive, annual Beach Giveaway and Bingo. Bingo is held twice a month on the first and third Fridays, unless otherwise specified, and plans are to resume in January.
For more information about Knights of Columbus Leeds Council 5597, please visit http://everyoneleeds.com/leeds-knights-of-columbus/ or contact Dr. Bill Watkins, Trustee Council 5597-Leeds, at dwatk7@gmail.com, Grand Knight Tony Hill at tony@wideopensigns.com or Don Tice at bamaguydet@gmail.com.
