 ______________________________________________________________________________________________On Thursday, November 8, 2007, students at the Connellsville Area High School took time off to honor local veterans. Guests were first treated to a breakfast before being escorted to the auditorium for a program. As the Veterans came onto the stage, they received a standing ovation from everyone in attendance. The principal, Dr. Tammy Stern, welcomed the Veterans and thanked them for both their service and for attending the program. After the welcoming speech, the colors were presented by a member of each branch of the military. CAHS Patriot Chaplain Cassie Witt offered the invocation. Brent Lint President of the CAHS Patriots led the Pledge of Allegiance and served as master of ceremonies. The Chamber Ensemble sang the National Anthem and the “Impossible Dream.†Bryce Beeghley read America’s White Table. The 60 plus veterans in attendance stood with pride and introduced themselves, acknowledging the branch of the military in which they served. Mr. Raymond Luppe from ESGR presented Mr. Duncan, Superintendent with an award for the school district for their outstanding support of their employees who were deployed. Miss Linda Shearer, Founder and Sponsor of the CAHS Patriots reported on the military support and the Connellsville Area Veterans website. Col. Greg Ritch explained the Presidential Volunteer Service awards and presented them to 46 volunteers including: Mark Barbrow, Bryce Beeghley, Cody Boors, Maribeth Bradley, Katie Brown, Stephanie Brown, Steve Burns, Sarah Chess, A.C. Childress, Mara Colamartino, Stacey Domer, Renee Durst, Alyssa Dye, Lacey Etling, Bill Eutsey, Adam Faris, Sandra Fee, Kolby Fox, Dennis Geary, Tammy Gratchic, Tiffany Gratchic, Angie Hall, George Jones, Mike Krzanowski, Ashley Kuzyck, David Lambie, Lori Lambie, Stacie Lambie, Ashlee Leeper, Brent Lint, Chad Lint, Monika Martin, Matt May, Robert McLuckey, Elise Michaux, Loralynn Mickey, Megan Nicholson, Julie Porterfield, Abby Richter, Heidi Ridgway, Ian Sage, Linda Shearer, Roger Thompson, Alex Tinker, Kaylan Trimboli, Brittany Washington and Mallory White. The CAHS Patriots spearheaded renovating the existing Veterans’ Memorial in front of the high school. Students at the Career and Technical Center cleaned and repointed the structure. Local contributors paid for the landscaping, paving, flagpoles and three bronze plaques honoring three CAHS grades who gave their lives while serving this nation. EM Timothy Bollibon of the class of 1986 gave his life during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. GM3 Heath Stillwagon of the class of 1987 gave his life aboard the USS Iowa in 1989. PFC Shelby Feniello of the class of 1999 gave his life during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The monument was rededicated as part of the program. Mr. James Duncan offered closing remarks and the program ended with everyone singing “God Bless America.†Pride, gratitude and patriotism could be felt by all who attended or viewed the program by way of the schools TV channel 39. Anyone with information of CAHS graduates who died in service are asked to contact Linda Shearer so that bronze plaques can be added to the memorial in their honor/memory.
Additions to the Veterans listing are also being solicited. This site is to recognize Veterans who attended or graduated from Connellsville Area Senior High School, Connellsville Joint High School, or Dunbar Township High School. Contact Linda Shearer if you would like to add a Veteran. Her email is lshearer@casdfalcons.org, or you can call the school at 724-628-1350.
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