Annual honor guard dinner held
The Coshocton County Veterans Council held its annual honor guard participation dinner at The Elks on Oct. 26.
Jack Patterson of West Lafayette has been inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, Dave Dilly announced. “Jack is one of those guys that did his military job. He is involved with military funerals, the honor flight troop train, we take Jack for granted because he is always there and you can always depend on him. I want to congratulate Jack tonight. ”
The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame was created to recognize veterans who served in the military honorably and continued to serve in their community. Representing all branches and they are to be honored, respected and held sacred for their selfless sacrifices made for the freedoms of this great nation.
“I am very, very pleased and honored to be a part of the honor guard in Coshocton County, helping out all the veterans and also the families with veterans who have passed away. I have been the chaplain for quite a number of years and today was 1,118 funerals. I enjoy making sure that people have a proper ending,” Patterson said.
Dilly and Tom Apple were recognized for participating in 1,000 military funerals, joining George Leach, Jim Stone, Jack Lipps, Fred Lent and Jack Patterson. At least two uniformed servicemen are required to attend military funerals and present the traditional funeral honors awarded to veterans. The two main funeral honors that a veteran receives are the folding of the flag and the playing of “Taps,” the standard military funeral song. Taps is officially known as the “National Song of Military Remembrance.”
There were a total of 71 military funerals in 2022 and 36 funerals as of Sept. 30 of this year. Aaron Shearer was recognized for attending seven funerals this year along with Jonathan Atwood who attended nine and Tom Barstow attended 10 funerals.
Certificate awards were presented to Tom Apple for attending more than 700 of military funerals, Dave Dilly for more than 1,000 funerals, Jerry Green more than 800 military funerals, Tony Jaquet more than 200, Jack Patterson more than 1,100 and Joe Simmons more than 300.
Russell Hammond was recognized for 15 years of service to the Coshocton County Veterans.
In honor of the Blue Star Mothers, Sharon Burns accepted a gift from Doug Schaefer for providing meals after every funeral and everything they do for Coshocton County Veterans.
“We are honored to be here and honored to be able to do that for you. Thank you for all that you do,” Burns said.
Free Funeral Home, Given Dawson Paisley and Miller Funeral Home were acknowledged for providing military funerals in a meaningful and poignant manner.
“Thank you for allowing us to be here,” Matt Miller said. “What a moving experience it is for you when taking care of our fallen veterans. What you instilled in my daughter Madison when she was young, after watching your services is what compelled her to do what she does today as an advocate for our veterans. Going all the way to Miss America came from this group. That is what put the fire under her.”
Category: People & Places
