Lance Cpl. Jonathan E. Etterling
Lance Cpl. Jonathan E. Etterling
2017 Memorial
Christmas Banquet
REVIEW
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John D. Foster, Sr., Founder Veterans Helping 2005, is pleased to announce their 12th Annual Lance Cpl. Jonathan E. Etterling Memorial Christmas Banquet. There were 355 in attendance last year, counting the 66 veterans who were honored. Each veteran was presented a special medal by the Etterling family, in memory of their son Jonathan Etterling, who was KIA in Iraq in 2005. On the backs of the medals were, “WELCOME HERO THANK YOU FOR SERVING - 2016.”
We give special thanks to Mike Gifford, Founder of “LIVING WITH A CAUSE”, and his people for doing such a great job again this year in preparing the food, putting food baskets with hams together, and getting toys ready for the children to put under their tree at home.
We also want to thank the Lucasville Poste for doing a great job again in posting the colors. After the colors were posted, Mr. Randall McCullen, Band Director and students of the East High School Band, 1 – 2 – 3, done a great job as they took turns playing the song of each branch of service as veterans stood to their song. Mr. Foster had everyone to stand and have a moment of silence for the troops to be safe and for all those who have passed away and KIA.
We were honored to have Mr. Gene Bennet of the Cincinnati Reds and Mr. Al Oliver of the Pirates in attendance again this year to show their respects and give honor to our veterans who served to keep all of us safe and free. Mr. Oliver did a wonderful job as our speaker. We were sorry Mr. Don Gullet wasn’t able to be with us due to his illness, he is in our prayers for a quick recovery. Gene and Al took the time to sign baseballs and items for their fans.
Santa & Mrs. Clause made a surprise visit to greet the children and give out gifts to each child. Not only the children had their pictures taken with Santa, but adults as well. We want to thank Mr. & Mrs. Stanley & Eva Robinson for doing a good job again this year.
SOMC, Mr. Andy Glockner, and other sponsors came through for us again this year to make it another big success. It would be a hard undertaking on such a big task as our Annual Christmas Banquet for our veterans without their support each year. We want to thank Andy for his generous donation to honor our veterans in memory of his day, Ebbie Glockner who was a fighter pilot during WWII.
We are looking forward to next year when we will be able to fellowship with our heroes and their families. If you would like to sponsor a veteran, you can do so by sending a check or money order to; Christmas For Vets - P.O. Box 102 - Wheelersburg, OH 45694. It is good to thank a veteran and welcome him or her home, saying "HAVE A DINNER ON ME." by making a donation of $10. is even better.
All our veterans need to do this year to sign up is:
1. Send an Email to christmasforrheros@gmail.com with the following information:
a/ Spouse - Friend full name.
b. Veteran's name, address, phone #.
c. Branch of Service, Dates of service, & type of discharge.
d. A copy of your VA ID.
e. We will need the name, sex, and age of each child living in
your home under the age of 17.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
if you or your groop would like to work as a volunteer this year we need:
A/ Decorators
B/ Ushers
C/ Distriberts of Food baskets - Toys - Hams
D. Cooks & Servers
E. Greeters at the door.
If you or your group would like to be a volunteer in one or more of
these departments, please contact us at the Email above.
DONATIONS NEEDED
If you or your group would like to this event to help us honor our
veterans this your, it would be very much appreciated.
Send your donations to:
CHRISTMAS FOR VETS 2017
PO Box 102
Wheelersburg, OH 45694
A well-known Scout in Baseball, Gene Bennet, came again this year to show his respect and honor our veterans. It was an honor just to have him.
Another well-known name in baseball, Al Oliver, was there to greet our heroes and honor them with a few words. He did a great job as our speaker.
Left: Gene Bennit Right: Al Oliver
Thanks for coming guys, it was an honor!
Our Color Guard from Lucasvill did another good job for us this year!
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Special thanks to our friend, Andy Glockner, for his faithful support year after year.
Thanks to SOMC, we have a place at the Friends Center for our Annual Banquet to honor our veterans.
Thank you Mike Gifford & LWAC for all your support backing & prayers.
There were about 355 in attendance this year - counting 66 veterans.
Mr. Randall McMullen is the Band Director at East High School. A 22 year retired Army veteran.
Mr. Randall McMullen did a good job playing the Marine Hem.
Mr. Randall McMullen did a good job playing the Marine Hem.
Mr. Randall McMullen did a good job playing the Marine Hem.
You can tell by the picture of Mr. Randall McMullen he was so proud as his students played each song and the veterans stood in their branch.
Each year local schools take part in our Annual Christmas Banquet For Vets by having food drives to help fill food baskets for veterans and their family. We present certificates, pizza parties and gifts to the schools and students that bring in the most food items. This year we decided to go a step farther, we offered $100. to the student among all the schools taking part that brings in the most food items. We also offered $50. to the Superintendent of the school district that brought in the most. The young lady pictured, above, with Mike and John, Kyleigh Tackett, from the Scioto County CTC. received the $100. for her hard work. She collected over 300 food items for the veterans this year. The school that brought in the most food items was East High School in Sciotoville. The Superintendent, Mr. William Shope, couldn[t make it and the Band Director, Mr. McMullen, accepted Mr. Shope's $50. and Certificate.
Stanley & Eva Robinson did a great job as Santa & Mrs. Clause again this year. Stanley is called Lazarus by some. His wife found him in bed and couldn't get him to wake up. Her daughter, who is a nurse, couldn't get any sign of life. The squad came and worked with him and didn't find any sign of life. They rushed him to the hospital and they got him back. God is good. ​​
We all mourn the loss of our favorite Scout for the Cincinnati Reds
today 8/16/17. He was a strong supporter of the youth sports
and our veterans. We will miss him at this year's Christmas Banquet.
Our heart goes out to all his sports fans, his family, and the Reds.
Donate $10. to say;
"HAVE DINNER ON ME", you deserve it!
