Ashlar Honors The Veterans

Ashlar of Newtown and Lockwood Lodge honored their veterans in a special program on November 11 during which each was personally recognized for service in the US armed forces.

Speakers included Ashlar President Tom Gutner, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, and Charles B. Fowler, Jr, a deputy grand master Mason.

Richard Jansen, lay chaplain volunteer, gave the invocation. SPC Richard Monkton of Alpha Company, 242nd Combat Engineering Battalion, presented the colors.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Betty and Jim MacKerracher. Mr MacKerracher had served as a corporal tech 5 in the 89th Car Platoon, US Army.

Doug Hoffman of therapeutic recreation and Mary Frazier, director of nursing, presented each veteran with a flag pin and a boutonnière. The flag pins were provided by VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 308, Newtown.

The veterans from Lockwood Lodge included Mike Nasinka, Al Carson, Dan Quatrella, Tom Sleap, Ken Woodcock, Jim MacKerracher, and Betty Nelson.

Ashlar veterans included Pauline Minke, Greenville North, Mary Duckworth, Albert Cultrerra, Anthony Riolo, Donald Chaloux, Armin Paulin, John Rabuse, John Smilanich, Stephen Baxter, George Setescak, Patricia Savarese, Ken Perley, Charlie Lasky, Clement Kopnicky, Ray Scholl, Frank Battaglia, Richard Rooney, Robert Burroughs, Peter Couchevitz, Lawrence Wishneski, and Nicholas Labas.

Lynn Mora, director of Lockwood Lodge, read an essay entitled “Reflections.” Ed Dooling, human resources, and Pete Webster, plant operations, presented “A History Lesson.”

Music was by Sandra Joudy, therapeutic recreation, and a flag poster was displayed. The flag poster was made by residents Eleanor Bartram, and her daughter; Ray Scholl, Mary Duckworth, Eleanor Clark, Lois Burdick, Florence Rabuse, Madeline Boucher, and Wanda Gromada.