The First Annual Veterans Military Ball, sponsored by The Medina County Veterans Coalition, was held October 26 at the Medina National Guard Armory. More than 160 people attended; all agreed it was a huge success. Jack Forster, Secretary/Treasurer of the Coalition said a couple of years ago a loosely coordinated group from the 19 county veterans’ groups met to discuss the possibility of bonding together for the purpose of better serving all veterans. In 2011, all the county posts and chapters agreed it would be beneficial to form a unified organization. The Medina County Veterans Coalition “exists for all veterans’ organizations in the county to meet on a periodic basis, to discuss projects, issues and successes in order to cross-fertilize knowledge of what veterans are doing throughout the county. Additionally, the Coalition will serve as a unifying organization to coordinate a joint veteran’s response to emergencies such as death or a serious injury of a county veteran serving overseas in war.” County Veterans Service Officer Ed Zackery was asked to chair the organization as it got started, applied for non-profit status and drafted the by-laws; he served for the first 18 months, until January of 2013, when the Coalition held its first election and made Dave Taylor its first official president. The members of the Coalition meet quarterly at various posts throughout the county. In the spring of 2013, they decided one event a year to bring all veterans of Medina County together for camaraderie and esprit de corps would be beneficial for not only the veterans but also the community. It was at that time this military ball was planned. Many veterans came in full dress uniforms to the event that started at 1730 with a social hour. Promptly at 1830, VFW Post #5137 presented the Colors after which Ms Julia Heller sang the National Anthem; most of the guests joined her. Jerry Lemons delivered an invocation followed by Dave Taylor asking everyone to, “Charge your glasses, please.” He proposed the first toast to the United States of America, to which everyone responded, “To the USA.” In turn, six toasts were offered with appropriate responses from each branch of the military. The final toast was to the empty POW/MIA Table, in honor of fallen comrades. The group responded, “May they rest in peace.” The guests enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Old Schoolhouse Catering before the presentation of medals. Presenters were Mike Jacobson, U.S. Army, President, Medina County Veterans Service Commission; Mike Kovack, U.S. Navy, Medina County Auditor; Tom Miller, U.S. Navy, Medina County Sheriff; and Joe Destro, U.S. Army, Commissioner, Medina County Veterans Service Commission. Honorees were: Frank R. Kaminski – U.S. Army –Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, United Nations Service Medal and Parachutist Badge; Leonard J. Konarski – U.S. Navy – National Defense Service Medal; Kenneth A. Parker – U.S. Navy – National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three Bronze Star Appurtenances, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Somalia), Kuwait Liberation Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two Bronze Star Appurtenances and Joint Service Meritorious Unit Award; Raymond A. Vallee - U.S. Army – Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Bronze Star Attachment (Triple), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with 1960 device, Sharpshooter Badge and Rifle Bar and Army Aviation Badge; and Lloyd F. Winterstein – U.S. Army – World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal and Japan Clasp, Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII and Sharpshooter Badge and Rifle Bar. The Sirens of Medina High School entertained, Sharon Kiesel delivered a benediction, and the colors were retired. A.I. Root provided the candle centerpieces on the tables. AL Posts 170, 202 and 234, VFW posts 1089, 5137 and 9520, Rolling Thunder Chapter #8, Disabled American Veterans Chapter #72, H&R Block and ICandi provided raffle prizes. Other supporters were Crossroads Hospice, Marie Mirro Edmonds, HMC Hospice of Medina County, Veterans Service Office, Original Mattress Factory, Williams on the Lake, Michael Kovack, Tracy’s Karate, Great Lakes Construction, Blue Star Mothers, and War Journal Publishing.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 14:20:09 +0000
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