Disabled American Veterans

On Sept. 1, Disabled American Veterans Ralph S. Tagg Jr. Chapter 14, Hagerstown, donated a bariatric phlebotomy chair to the VA Medical Center -- Hagerstown on Opal Court. "This new chair will be very beneficial in the lab when treating obese veterans. All veterans can now be seated comfortably while being treated," said Ellyse Lamont, clinic coordinator at the medical center. In addition to providing items to support the VA Medical Center -- Hagerstown, DAV Chapter 14 donates to support activities and provide items for the veterans at the Martinsburg (W.Va.

September is For-Get-Me-Not Month for Disabled American Veterans. As the month winds down, so do the fundraising efforts of the local Ralph S. Tagg Jr. Chapter 14 of Disabled American Veterans. To date, they have collected donations in exchange for poppies at Penn Avenue Meats, Kmart and Tractor Supply Store. This Saturday, they will be collecting from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Wal-mart on Garland Groh Boulevard. Tony Pruchniewski, senior vice commander and chairman for the local For-Get-Me-Not Drive, said the chapter has been collecting donations for more than 34 years.

As of March 12, the Maryland flag has been proudly flying at the two Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway markers on Interstate 81. One flag is flying near Showalter Road, the other near Williamsport. The flagpoles were installed by members of the local Disabled American Veterans, Ralph S. Tagg Jr. Chapter 14. Adjutant Ernie Unger and DAV member Bernie Bargiel recently raised the flags. The flags were donated by state and local politicians, Bargiel said. Monthly meetings are held at the American Legion Post 211 in Funkstown the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. For more information, call Unger at 301-842-2562.

WILLIAMSPORT - Ralph S. Tagg Jr. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 14 of Washington County will host a free information seminar on veterans benefits Friday, Feb. 27, at American Legion Post 202 on American Legion Drive in Williamsport. DAV service officers will be present from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to prepare claims and provide information to veterans, their spouses or families. Those attending are asked to bring a copy of their military discharge (DD 214) or other service record, VA claim number if one was issued, and any correspondence or rating decision information.

HAGERSTOWN - They were preparing to watch what has been said to be a very graphic war film. Those sitting in the theater Monday were familiar with the battle depicted in "Flags of Our Fathers. " A few are World War II veterans, and one fought in The Battle of Iwo Jima. But most of those interviewed at the special screening of the film at Hagerstown 10 Cineplex theater said they weren't there to see another war film. They've seen them all. And they weren't there for the memories.

David Wesley Gerberich, 64, of Falling Waters, W.Va., died Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at his home. Born April 21, 1948, in Hagerstown, Md., he was the son of the late Norman W. and Emmie Fayebelle (Hines) Gerberich. He was baptized at Grace United Methodist Church in Hagerstown. David graduated from South Hagerstown High School. He was a Vietnam War veteran. David was employed at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Martinsburg, W.Va., for 12 years. He was a life member of Williamsport American Legion, Disabled American Veterans in Washington, D.C., and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Martinsburg.

Children learn about veterans Holding small U.S. flags they had been given moments before, almost 100 fourth-grade students at Bester Elementary School put hands on their hearts Friday and said the Pledge of Allegiance together in front of the school flag. They then filed into a room inside the school to learn about veterans and flags on the day before Veterans Day. It was all part of an event organized by the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary. While similar programs have been done at smaller schools, this was the first time it was done at a larger school such as Bester, said Auxiliary President Doris Houser.

Members of Antietam American Legion Unit 236 traveled to the Martinsburg (W.Va.) Veterans Affairs Medical Center Feb. 16 to honor hospitalized veterans.   Dressed in clown costumes, Unit members Ava Gift and Doris Shoemaker shook hands and thanked each veteran for their service to our country.   Ava and Doris presented the veteran king and queen with a red, white and blue balloon bouquet.   Sharon Hendershot, emcee for the event, introduced representatives from the American Legion family, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and the director of the VA Medical Center who all spoke, thanking our “heroes” for their service to our nation.

WWII vets get honors By MARLO BARNHART marlob@herald-mail.com When Ora Delauter received his award Tuesday night for the part he played in the 1944 Allied invasion on the beaches of Normandy, he said it was better late than never. "I was with the 5th Armored Division of the U.S. Army and I tell you, it was scary that morning," Delauter said, recalling the events of June 6, D-Day. Delauter, 87, was one of seven Washington County World War II veterans who received certificates Tuesday night from U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md.

Grover, a dog in the America's VetDogs Program at Maryland Correctional Institution-Hagerstown, is not 8 months old yet but already has learned to pick up objects, and sit, lay down, or stand on command. “He is a very affectionate dog,” said MCI-H Inmate James Dyson, one of Grover's handlers. “No matter what type of mood you're in, he feels the same way every day. He's always happy.” Dyson, 32, who has been incarcerated at MCI-H since 1999, demonstrated Grover's ability to understand commands at a presentation Tuesday.

David Wesley Gerberich, 64, of Falling Waters, W.Va., died Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at his home. Born April 21, 1948, in Hagerstown, Md., he was the son of the late Norman W. and Emmie Fayebelle (Hines) Gerberich. He was baptized at Grace United Methodist Church in Hagerstown. David graduated from South Hagerstown High School. He was a Vietnam War veteran. David was employed at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Martinsburg, W.Va., for 12 years. He was a life member of Williamsport American Legion, Disabled American Veterans in Washington, D.C., and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Martinsburg.

Youth volunteer Christiana Hess of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center was selected as the $20,000 scholarship winner of the Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program. Named in memory of the second secretary of veterans affairs, the Disabled American Veterans' scholarship program recognizes outstanding young men and women who volunteer their time, and encourages youth volunteers to play active roles in the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service programs. Hess attributes her love of volunteering to a tradition of military service, from her ancestor Henry Harrison Ross in the Civil War to her uncle Bryan Ross, a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom.

What transforms America's cemeteries on Memorial Day isn't merely flowers, wreaths and flags. It's the presence of people paying homage to lives that were sacrificed defending and protecting this country. But many citizens don't realize the significance of May 30, said Wayne Taylor, retired colonel with the Air Force reserves. It's more about the unofficial start of summer with backyard cookouts and the opening of local swimming pools. As vice president of the Joint Veterans Council of Washington County, Taylor sees firsthand the often low turnouts at Memorial Day ceremonies.

A Disabled American Veteran (DAV) service officer will be at the Hagerstown Veteran's Affairs Clinic, Hub Plaza Building, 1101 Opal Court, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 17. The service officer will be available to prepare claims for VA benefits and provide information to veterans, and/or their family members. Please bring a copy of your Military Discharge, DD 214 or other service record, VA Claim Number if one was issued and any correspondence or rating decision information.

Members of Antietam American Legion Unit 236 traveled to the Martinsburg (W.Va.) Veterans Affairs Medical Center Feb. 16 to honor hospitalized veterans.   Dressed in clown costumes, Unit members Ava Gift and Doris Shoemaker shook hands and thanked each veteran for their service to our country.   Ava and Doris presented the veteran king and queen with a red, white and blue balloon bouquet.   Sharon Hendershot, emcee for the event, introduced representatives from the American Legion family, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and the director of the VA Medical Center who all spoke, thanking our “heroes” for their service to our nation.

On Sept. 1, Disabled American Veterans Ralph S. Tagg Jr. Chapter 14, Hagerstown, donated a bariatric phlebotomy chair to the VA Medical Center -- Hagerstown on Opal Court. "This new chair will be very beneficial in the lab when treating obese veterans. All veterans can now be seated comfortably while being treated," said Ellyse Lamont, clinic coordinator at the medical center. In addition to providing items to support the VA Medical Center -- Hagerstown, DAV Chapter 14 donates to support activities and provide items for the veterans at the Martinsburg (W.Va.

As of March 12, the Maryland flag has been proudly flying at the two Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway markers on Interstate 81. One flag is flying near Showalter Road, the other near Williamsport. The flagpoles were installed by members of the local Disabled American Veterans, Ralph S. Tagg Jr. Chapter 14. Adjutant Ernie Unger and DAV member Bernie Bargiel recently raised the flags. The flags were donated by state and local politicians, Bargiel said. Monthly meetings are held at the American Legion Post 211 in Funkstown the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. For more information, call Unger at 301-842-2562.