Fallen Heroes of Floyd

The ceremony  was quite impressive on this sunny Memorial Day.  Our thanks to all who helped turn this dream into a reality.

Our Memorial Day Gallery

Sailor Coartney and Alexis Slocum greet visitors with flags

                                                  The ceremony begins 

Wilson Coartney reads Memorial Day  Pvt Lonnie Grandle, SCV

Dennis Fritts,   Commander   Fincastle Resolution                         Color Guard                       

  Charles Spangler, Commander American Legion Post 127    

    Fallen heroes buried in the old cemetery   

                                    Lest we forget . . .

The second annual Memorial Day ceremony will be held on May 31, 2010 at 10:00 AM.

We already have RSVP’s from the American Legion/VFW, Sons of the American Revolution, and the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

We have been snowed in since December 18 and now we have moderate weather and Spring thaw.

We had planned a special ceremony for Colonel Wilker during the last week in December, but the cemetery was snowed in.  This was a big disappointment.  Perhaps we can do it another time.

We are planning ceremonies for Momorial Day and Veterans Day.  More on that later.

                                                                    The monument                                                                                 

Mieczyslaw (Mike) Rachubik-Orwicz served in the Polish Army at the time when Hitler invaded Poland.  After being captured during the Warsaw uprising, he was sent to  the German concentration camp Matthausen, in Austria.  After his liberation by American forces, he joined the Polish Corps of the British Army and served for the duration of the war in Europe.  After living in England for ten years, he immigrated to America in 1956 and became a U.S. citizen in 1959.  The family proudly flew the American flag each Memorial , Independence and Veterans Day.  They were always grateful for this country and the freedom it offers.  Mike is survived by his daughter, Barbara Triplett, a member of the Zion congregation.  We are proud to include him as a  Fallen Hero.

Col
Dean Wilker, USMC  (ret)

Colonel Wilker served in World War II, The Korean War and Vietnam.  He commanded the 12th Marine Fighter Group in Vietnam and retired as base commander of EL Toro Marine Base, California.

His decorations include The Legion of Merit, Distinguised Flying Cross with Gold Star, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Medal with 16 Gold Stars.

Colonel Wilker is the most highly decorated Fallen Hero in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery. 

More images will be posted as they become available.

Video by Luis Garcia

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyLkkdhSKRc

It rained today…hard.  We went to Plan B at the Oak grove Pavilion.  You can determine from the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyLkkdhSKRc   that things went well.  We hope to have a slideshow soon.  I love it when a plan comes together  ( George Peppard – A Team).

Thanks to Luis Garcia for the fine video.

Erection is complete and awaiting  dedication on Veterans Day.  Everyone is invited.

This a copy of an email received from John Sowers following our re-dedication ceremony for George Sowers.  Feel free to contact John directly if you have any questions or comments.

The rededication ceremony  went well this morning.  The weather cooperated; cloudy, but cool enought to make our Continentals comfortable in their wool uniforms.  It was well attended and followed by breakfast at the Blue Ridge Restaurant and a tour of Floyd  for our guests.  We wish them a safe trip home.

Thank you to the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard and the Veterans of Foreign Wars chaplian, Rev. Seco.

Pictures will be posted as soon as they become available.

Ken Brown’s slideshow (unedited)

http://picasaweb.google.com/scpo17/PvtSowersReDedicationCeremony?authkey=Gv1sRgCPuTi_7b9fvgsQE&feat=email

David St. Lawrence’s slideshow (unedited)

http://picasaweb.google.com/FloydVA007/2009Aug15Sowers?authkey=Gv1sRgCOui2dLP_oazHw

David St. Lawrence’s post http://ripples.typepad.com/ is worth the visit.

Private George Sowers’ footstone has been located, thanks to directions from his great great  great grandson.  The headstone will now be rescued from the church furnace room , reset and the gravesite re-dedicated. There will be an appropriate ceremony held this summer, at the convenience of his family. 

A date has been set for the re-dedication:   August 15, at 10:00 AM.  Mark your calendars.

Update

 A drainage system has been provided for the footstone to keep it visible and the headstone is in place.   Thanks go out to all who helped.

I talked with Colonel Wilker’s daughter this afternoon and she assured me that our hometown hero does indeed have a family here.  She now lives in Christiansburg and other family members currently reside in Floyd County.  Details will follow as I get this sorted out.  Stay tuned.