Members of Statesboro's VFW Post 10825 came together on Thursday, July 4, 2024 to hold an Independence Day Commemoration. Fellow veterans and members of the community braved the July heat to attend the service held at the Veterans Memorial Monument in front of the Bulloch County Judicial Annex.
The Independence Day Commemoration was led by VFW Post Commander Larry Shatteen and coordinated by Dean Rakoskie, VFW State Junior Vice Commander.
Lisa Muldrew provided musical entertainment and Boy Scouts from Statesboro Troop 935 helped with the folding of the flag.
The program opened with the presentation of colors by the Honor Guard from Bulloch County Sheriff's Office, Aneshia Best and Andy Nay. The program continued as follows:
- Chaplain Eugene Smith - Opening Prayer
- Commander Larry Shatteen - Remarks
- Lisa Muldrew- God Bless America (1 verse)
Declaration of Independence
- Ernie Mitchell- Background and overview
- Robert Marsh- Preamble
- Justin Williams- Declaration of Rights
Bill of Indictment
- Page 1 – Laci Lee
- Page 2 –Ken Eichler
- Page 3 –Alex Brown
- Page 4 –Alex Brown
- Indictment Conclusion and Statement of Independence: Jason Yurick
- America (My Country ‘Tis of Thee) (1 verse); Lisa Muldrew
The Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance
- Poem: My Name is Old Glory – Dean Rakoskie
- Reflections on the Words of the Pledge Allegiance: American Legion Post 90
- Immediate Past Commander- Gary Martin
- National Anthem (1 verse)- Lisa Muldrew
The Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance continued
- Explanation of Folds: Mike Cox
- Actual Folding by Boy Scouts Troop 935: Evan Taormina, Josh Hutflies, Waylon Brown
America The Beautiful
- All Hold Hands (1 verse): Lisa Muldrew
- Reaffirm the Commitment to Brotherhood: Dean Rakoskie
Fostering Patriotism in the Community
- VFW Programs- Dean Rakoskie
- American Legion Programs- Bobby Godwin
- Closing Prayer—Michael Skarhus
- Retire the Colors- Bulloch County Sheriff's Office Honor Gaurd, Aneshia Best and Andy Nay.
- Adjourn- Commander Shatteen
Grice Connect live streamed the entire service. You can watch in entirety below:
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"We hope that if the people watching or reading about this service get nothing else out of this ceremony today, I hope that there is a statement of brotherhood made today," said VFW State Junior Vice Commander Dean Rakoskie. "This date, this time, the people gathered here from Statesboro and Bulloch County reaffirm their commitment to brotherhood."
Join the VFW effort today
To learn more about the Statesboro's VFW Post 10825 and how to get involved locally you can visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GAVFWPOST10825/
