Strasburg American Legion holds Veterans Day banquet
Fernandez
The Charles Hofer Post of the Strasburg American Legion held its annual Veterans Day banquet on Nov. 9 at Dutch Valley Restaurant in Sugarcreek.
Post Cmdr. Don Gerber gave the welcome, and Fran Gerber gave the invocation and benediction. Marvin Simmons, chaplain, placed the black covering on an empty chair to remember all the soldiers who were prisoners of war and those missing in action.
Larry Miller, adjutant, honored Buckeye Boys State delegates Hayden Fernandez and Maxton Metz. They were unable to attend the banquet.
Fernandez is the son of Michael and Meredith Fernandez, and Metz is the son of Josh and Jessica Metz.
“What I liked most about Boys State was how close everyone got in our city by the end of the week. I also learned many things like how state and county governments work,” Fernandez said.
“At Boys State I learned how important it is to be an American citizen. I learned how to participate in a state and federal government,” Metz said. “Attending Boys State taught me to interact with new people and try new things. I am very grateful for the opportunity to attend Boys State. I enjoyed it, and the memories and friends I made will stick with me forever.”
Gerber encouraged any current Strasburg High School junior to submit an application to attend the Boys or Girls State seminar to be held in June 2025. Gerber said it is a good program.
“I want to thank the Boy Scouts for placing the U.S. flags along Bodmer Avenue on Memorial Day and volunteering to place flags on the military graves at Grandview Union Cemetery and the Strasburg High Tiger Band for participating in the Memorial Day program,” Gerber said.
Several youth volunteered at the legion’s chicken barbecues. Gerber thanked Jeremy Dreher, owner of Village Garden Bulk Food Store, for supplying the chicken and Brad Malcuit for allowing the legion to use his facilities to barbecue the chicken. He said there are additional small flags available from the American Legion.
Simmons retrieved the POW/MIA flag from the empty chair.
Gerber asked all attending to remember Veterans Day and all the fallen and surviving veterans.