November 25 , 2021 The Beacon • 11

By Josie Sellers

Members of the Coshocton County Honor Guard gathered together on Nov . 16 for their annual participation dinner . The event was canceled in 2020 due to COVID , so members received recognition for their service over the past two years .

For every 100 military funerals attended , the guard members receive a certificate . Sixteen certificates were presented to the following for reaching funeral milestones : Tom Apple , 500 and 600 ; Rick Cullison , 200 ; Tom Dile , 800 ; Dave Dilly , 800 and 900 ; Jerry Green , 600 and 700 ; James Groves , 400 ; Tony Jaqua , 100 ; Darryl Jensen , 500 and 600 ; Don Kennedy , 700 ; Gary Kilpatrick , 600 ; Dean Leas , 300 ; Jack Patterson , 900 and 1,000 ; Joe Simmons , 200 ; Ed Skerness , 300 ; Elmer Wright , 600 ; and

John Wright , 200 .

“ Congratulations to all these guys who got certificates ,” said Jack Patterson , commander of the Coshocton County Veterans Council . “ We do 60-70 funerals a year .”

The honor guard was at 63 military funerals in 2019 , 67 in 2020 and 48 in 2021 as of Oct . 31 .

In addition to honor guard members and their guests , the dinner also was attended by representatives from the local funeral homes and the Blue Star Mothers .

“ It ’ s been a rough couple of years for everybody ,” Jesse Fischer from Fischer Funeral Home in Warsaw said . “ We ’ ve had to do things different ways , and you guys accommodated us . You guys being able to continue to do what you do is very much appreciated .”

Patterson said the

honor guard has suspended its funeral home walkthroughs since COVID and also has the American flag prefolded . “ We wanted to cut exposure time but still make sure our veterans were properly honored for their service ,” he said .

Bill Given from Given-Dawson-Paisley Funeral Home said they are blessed to be associated with such a caring group of people .

Darcie Moore from The Miller Funeral Home and Todd Free from Free Funeral Home both thanked the group for all they do .

Prior to dinner being served , honor guard member Gary Kilpatrick gave an invocation . “ It ’ s an honor and a privilege to serve with my brothers on the honor guard ,” he said .

Sophia Sellers

Asher Freeman and Julia Adams place a wreath at the bottom of the American flag while members of the Coshocton County Honor Guard watch .

By Josie Sellers

Keene Elementary School celebrated Veterans Day with special guests on Nov . 15 .

The Coshocton County Honor Guard was present at the school for its morning program , and students were allowed to invite veterans in their lives to attend the event .

Jack Patterson , chaplain for the honor guard , said they attend military funerals for Coshocton

County veterans to give them a final honor . The group plays taps for the veteran , fires three volleys from their rifles and presents the family with a flag .

“ There are 30 of us on the roster , and 15-16 usually show up for each service ,” Patterson said . “ On average we do 70 military funerals every year in all types of weather and all times of the day .”

Veterans in attendance were then introduced , and

four sixth-graders shared their essays reflecting on what it means to be an American . Julia Adams , Darius DeLaRosa , Asher Freeman and Abrielle Thomas each reflected on freedom of speech , freedom of choice and right to do things like vote . Freeman wrapped his up with some kind words for all veterans .

“ Thank you veterans for making America great ,” he said .

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