Daughters of American Revolution honors veterans

LEESBURG - The Bertha Hereford Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored local veterans on October 12 at the Rogers Park Pavilion in Leesburg.

Geri Dorman, Project Patriot chairwoman, awarded a NSDAR certificate and a challenge coin to each of the 18 veterans. Among those honored were two World War II veterans, Glenn Langston, who served from 1945-1947, and Margaret Green-Witt who served from 1942-1945.

Sixteen veterans who served during the Vietnam War era also received recognition for their service during that war. Regent Joyce White presented a 50th anniversary proclamation from President Trump, a lapel pin, and a special pin for the spouse.

The USA Vietnam War Commemoration organization was authorized by Congress, established under the secretary of defense, and launched by the president in May 2012. Each living veteran who served at any time on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, regardless of location, from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, is eligible to receive the honor.

This organization’s commitment to honor Vietnam veterans began on Memorial Day, 2012, and will continue through Veterans Day, 2025.

Sumter County veterans who were honored include Sumter County Sheriff Bill Farmer, Army, 1966-1968; Jack Richley, Army, 1960-1968; George Webb, Marines, 1973-1976; Don Steiner, Army, 1968-1970, and Martin Waechter, Navy, 1959-1961.

CMSgt Craig Morris, one of the JROTC teachers at Leesburg High School, was awarded a community service certificate for the JROTC’s service to the City of Leesburg. Five cadets performed the Missing Man table ceremony. They were Jasmine Ramjeet, Douglas Faughnan, April Yarbrough, Jeremiah Clark, and Daniel Johnson.

At the conclusion of the program, Sheriff Farmer led the group in singing the National anthem.

The next Bertha H. Hall meeting will be on Nov. 9 at 10:30 a.m. The program will be “The 100th Anniversary of the End of World War I” by Merle Skinner, and the Leesburg HS JROTC will demonstrate the folding of the American flag and the meaning of each fold.

Anyone interested in joining the NSDAR should contact Joyce White, 352-793-8119.