Rosalia hosts annual Veteran's Day ceremony

ROSALIA- A crowd of people filled the Rosalia Veterans Park to honor those who served on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11.

Attendees were welcomed and reminded in 1918, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month the Allied countries signed an Armistice with Germany to end WWI, declaring the day a federal holiday in 1938 following the aftermath of WWII and the Korean War becoming known as Veterans Day.

Clinton Tucker who received his Quilt of Valor at the Veterans Day program on Friday, Nov. 8, gave an invocation praying for remembrance of those who served, including the MIAs, the wounded and the families of all the veterans.

John Barringer was the main speaker, having served from 1958 to 1960, stationed in Darmstadt, Germany, as a combat engineer.

Barringer said he spent three months in basic training in California before going on to the 390th Engineering Battalion in November and on a train to New York before getting on a troop ship to Darmstadt, Germany, where he spent two years.

"The two years over there it was more or less repeating, repeating, repeating everything you had learned before," Barringer said, noting it is basically being ready to go and do if there is any action.

"Lucky in my case as you know I went in 1958 and there was no action going on at that time," Barringer said. "I want to give my thanks to the veterans that gave their lives and I really appreciate that I didn't have to fight and keep out of everything. I really appreciate that, thank you."

Rosalia Boy Scout Troop 558 with scout leader Justin Fuchs presented the Flag Ceremony and retired the flag.

The rifle team from A&T Mattausch Post 11326 including members Richard Mattausch, John Loehne and Dan Hillman performed the three shot volley.

"On behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of Defense and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our veterans honorable and faithful service," Richard Mattausch said, presenting the new flag. "May their duty to their country, their honor for their nation, the sacrifice they made, deserve our freedom. Never be forgotten."

Bruce Henning and family played taps as the new flag waved.