V-V-A-678-Cemetary-Flag-Replacement

FLAG REPLACEMENT

The V-V-A-Chapter-678
HONORS.......
Deceased Members of all branches of the service by replacing the flags at their graves, we believe that no
Veteran should be forgotten. We had 23 members turn out for the event and were divided into 3 teams, the
first group of pictures posted below came from the church's along Rt-209 Business Route.
The first stop came to the Wesley Church that was padlocked and the graves were in terrible condition and
disrepair.
The graveyard is split into two parts, the south side is the Protestant section, and the area on the North side
of the church is the Jewish section, from the pictures below you will see that both area's need a lot of
attention.

V. V. A. Members
Marty Barrett, Matt Herlihy, Tony Fasano, Patrick Conway, Brain Koehler,
Bryan Bittenbender, Bill Kastler, Doc Polbos, Ralph Keiper, Ray Russo, Glen Lippincott,
Clarence Hawk, Pete Ruppert, Joe Clampet, Doug Albertson.
A. V. V. A. Members
Anne Lesh,Clair (Punky) Conway, Brandie Hawk, Lisa Strauss, Michaila Clampet,
Dylan Williams

So now the flags have all been changed and it's off to a local
restaurant for a group breakfast. In this case we choose "Triplets"
on Rt-209.

Wesley Church along Rt-209 North on the right.

Grave Marker laying in two pieces, there were many of these, a view of the South Protestant side, some Head Stones were
propped up by the adjacent grave markers

Dylan and his Grandfather exchanging flags
Bill's Grandsons come out for every event we do, and they really work
hard.

Most of the Markers need a good wire brush taken
to them.

Name not completely visial, not sure what war this
vet served in.

Pete Ruppert, Ray Russo & Debbie Russo

Pete Ruppert placing a flag at the Smithfield Presbyterian Church

the graveyard at the Smithfield Presbyterian Church was well attended, there were a few sites that need
care.

Ray Russo placing a flag

Peter Ruppert

Vietnam Veteran

Bryan Bittenbender came ready for the job, out came the pilers to repair the
stand.

Smithfield Presbyterian Church

Sand Hill Cemetery

It's that Russo lady again,
thanks Deb for the good job.

Here Debbie and Clair Conway are doing the far end of the lots.

Bill Kastler and Grandson Dylan, they worked as a team and often
Dylan took a section by himself.

Bill Kastler working hard and Marty Barrett posing for the camera,
notice arm load of flags as to look busy, does he have you fooled
too?

Korean War

Civil War Soldier CO. L 9 REG PA. VOLUNTEER

Ray Russo Cookie Clampet Debbie Russo Joe Clampet

Cookie Clampet and Ray Russo in his 2nd of 16 Faces,
This one with his finger up his nose, 1st in the series was
his face covered with both hands.
I wonder what will be next?

Bryan Bittenbender "Waxing" his mustache, he said you never
know when you will be racing, so he keeps it tight.

If you were to clone one of these guys you would have
the 3-Stoogies in person.

Ray & Ralph

I believe Joe took this picture, the slight blur shows just
how fast I can go, What that? Oh, it was caused by
camera shake and I was standing still.

Joe & Cookie Clampet and Clair Conway

front ruining the picture.

I think that Joe should be "President of the United States" instead
of the V-V-A. I am sure he could do a much better job, 1st off Joe,
fire the head people of the VA. Come on, doesn't he look like a
politician?
Clair "Punkey" Conway and Cookie Clampet

Peter Ruppert, Debbie Russo and "Party Hearty" Marty Barrett

Here is Anne Lesh waiting for the rest of us to shut up and sit down
so we can place the orders.

Pat Conway and Matt Herlihy

Lets see if I get this right.
Clarence Hawk, Brain Koehler, Brian's daughter and Grandchild and
Lisa Strauss

Clarence Hawk and Brain Koehler

Mandy Hawk and Brandy Hawk next in line is Clarence Hawk.

Lisa Strauss, Doc Polbos, you better watch out around Doc or he will
send you a card with a cat on it. Just kidding Doc, I think it is super
what you do.

Hey, is this a new guy? Welcome out to Pat Conway.
We miss you at the meetings Pat but understand it been a rough
year for you. Hang in there!

What a scary witch......... She was our waitress and seemed
annoyed when i stopped her for this picture.
Bill Kestler and Debbie Russo

Here is a happy group, I bet that's Irish Coffee they are drinking.
Tony Fasano, Glenn Lippincott, Patrick Conway, Matt Herlihy,
Doug Albertson, Anne Lesh & Marty Barrett

Bryan Bittenbender, Joe Clampet, Cookie Clampet and
Clair Conway

Here is a whole group, Debbie says it time to stop taking pictures.

While the pictures only show members from
the 1st group placing flags it needs to be
understood that we had 23 people split into
3 groups to cover Monroe County replacing
flags at all the graveyards, we are awaiting
pictures from one of the other members who
took pictures to send them in, we will update
this site for as many pictures we receive.

The restaurant seen was attended by all the
members who turned out, we would like this
moment to thank each of them for coming
out, it made a 8 hour job into a 2 hour job,
THANK YOU ALL

A Thank you goes out to all those that assisted on 10/31 to
replace flags on our Veterans grave sites. A nice tribute to
our Veterans no longer with us. Joel Keller