Memorial Day Tribute

On May 27,2012, we had a Memorial Day Tribute to our fallen soldiers.  We started with a Patriotic song "God Bless the USA" by the PCG Voices of Praise Choir.  We had a reading by Rodney Matthews written by Hester Beaver in remembrance of her son.  The reading was followed by a song by Debbie Roberts, "Fallen, Not Forgotten" in honor of Hester Beaver.  Hester is our own Gold Star Mother.  Today we honored her sacrafice.  Her son was killed in the Vietnam War.  She is a very special lady to our Church.  We also had a flag folding ceremony by Dennis Carr and Luke Sawicki, and the reading of the 13 points of the flag and their meaning by Mary Sawicki.  After which, we presented the flag to Hester, our Gold Star Mother and presented her with a beautiful patriotic floral arrangement.  We proceeded to the instrumental of "Old Glory" and and the reading of what the flag stands for in this country. The flag was then passed through the hands of 10 Veterans and to Pastor Roberts, and marched outside to be raised on the flagpole as Michael Riffe played taps on the trumpet.  It was a great day at the Ashtabula Pent. Church of God.  We are so proud of our Veterans, active and retired. They hold a special place in our hearts. We will endeavor to always remember those that gave all they could give,  Fallen, Not Forgotten !