From the Presentations of Colors to the Retiring of Colors by the NJROTC, an audience of 400 projected an energy, enthusiasm and appreciation for the 100 student musicians from Boyertown Junior High School, East and West, at the 14th Annual Veterans Salute. The Veterans Salute, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Boyertown was hosted by Good Shepherd UCC. In his opening remarks, Rotarian and School Superintendent, Richard Faidley, quoted his Father, a veteran, who told him on many occasions, “To appreciate my freedom, to honor the flag and those who fought to preserve our freedoms”
Following the invocation by the Rev. Laura Lee Kent, pastor of the host church, the String Ensemble, conducted by Chris Cinquini, played three selections. With the audience singing the hymn, God Of Our Fathers, accompanied by organist Matt Wary, the Show Choir took their place on stage for their vocal selections led by Jamie Cullipher and Abigail Rutt. The Orchestra and Show Choir then led the ever popular and patriotic favorite, the Armed Forces Salute, in which current or past members of the five Armed Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines, stand as their service song is sung.
Charles Haddad, Rotarian, in his closing remarks, spoke of the military commitment of the members of the host church, Good Shepherd, in World War II. 305 men and women served in World War II from Good Shepherd. Five men did not return as they were killed in action, Haddad said there could be 305 stories to tell of the men and women that served, but he then went on to speak of only one, that being of Captain Earl Fryer, an Army Air Force combat pilot credited with downing 6 enemy aircraft before crashing in Holland on November 8, 1944. Capt. Fryer’s nephews, Charles Fryer and Kenneth Fryer were introduced as they had an opportunity to visit the crash site 50 years later and meet the Dutch family that discovered Capt. Fryer’s downed aircraft.
Haddad closed his remarks by saying to the students ” You will also have an opportunity, obligation and honor to serve in the military when your generation is called upon to serve your country.” Haddad further stated that “When you are called upon to serve, it is the prayer of those here tonight that Gods Loving Heart and Protective Hand Will Be With You.”
The audience left reflecting on the program with comments of, “Thank you to those that served”
