High school students committed to armed forces recognized with ceremony
By Kyle Valentini
May 7, 2013
626
Our Community Salutes (OCS) is a national, non-profit organization created in 2009 to recognize and honor high school students who plan to enlist in the armed services after graduation. Thanks to efforts by New Philadelphia resident and United States Army veteran Eric Reip, a new local chapter has joined more than 40 other communities across the nation in honoring young men and women who have enlisted in the various branches of the armed services.
OCS of Tuscarawas County held their first ceremony on May 4 at JIMs Place in New Philadelphia with 2012 New Philadelphia High School graduate Jessica Ligmanowski opening the program with her beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.
New Philadelphia VFW member Norman Lanzer was instrumental in planning the event along with Reip and served as master of ceremonies. Last November I had presented the idea of starting a local OCS chapter at our VFW meeting, said Reip. Kids going off to college get recognized but very little is ever done to recognize these young men and women who choose to serve their country. This will hopefully be the first of many programs we will do each year.
The Posting of Colors was impeccably administered by the Youth Civil Air Patrol Squadron Ohio 277 proceeded by Navy veteran Bruce Seevers delivering the opening prayer.
Voice of Democracy essay contest runner-up and Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School senior Courtney Sandy read her essay titled, Is the Constitution Still Relevant?
New Philadelphia resident and Gold Star Mother Chris Clore gave an emotionally wrought speech to recruits and attendees regarding the importance of their service. Clore lost her son Lance Cpl. Peter Clore to small arms enemy fire as he bravely fought as a Marine in Afghanistan in May of 2011.
She encouraged recruits and their families to utilize the services in place to assist them and to get to know each other. I hope that my speaking today will help these recruits and their parents and families have hope in our military and in their futures, said Clore. Pride; are you aware that less than one percent of Americans defend and protect this entire nation? Enlisting puts you in a very elite group of Americans.
Senior singers Forever Young under the direction of Sylvia Schneider performed patriotic selections before recruits were introduced.
Staff Sgt. Craig Foley of the United States Army introduced nine recruits from the region. Thirteen Ohio Army National Guard recruits were on hand and were introduced by Sgt. 1st Class Steve Newman. All 13 recruits have committed to serving six years with the Guard and will attend the college of their choice once they have completed basic training. The Ohio Army National Guard will pay their tuition.
Recruits were given a community salute by attendees before the Retiring of Colors.
Refreshments were served and recruits and their families had an opportunity to socialize.
The inaugural event was deemed a success by organizers and many thanks go to the Bolivar Fort Laurens American Legion Post 190, Tuscarawas Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7943, Strasburg American Legion Post 522, New Philadelphia American Legion Post 139, New Philadelphia Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1445, Mineral City American Legion Post 519, New Philadelphia/Dover Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 857, Newcomerstown Veterans of Foreign wars Post 3303, Newcomerstown Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 532, Lisa Swigert and Victor Roth for their support.
