U.S. Army veteran John F. Beard, left, and George A. Waring, U.S. Navy veteran, right, stand in front of the Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield Wall of Honor during a ceremony recognizing the senior living community veterans whose photographs appear on the wall.
Senior Living Community Event Highlighted ‘Those Who Serve’
CLEARFIELD, Pa. – Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield recently unveiled its Wall of Honor during a ceremony recognizing 16 veterans who reside at the senior living community.
“It was very heart-warming,” said Bobbi Bradford, the interim Executive Operations Officer at Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield. “It was very touching to see all of our residents who are veterans as the wall was unveiled. It was memorable to see the looks on their faces as they saw themselves as they were when they served in their respective military branch.”
The Wall of Honor includes photographs of men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces. The display is located prominently near the entrance of the senior living community at 1300 Leonard Street in Clearfield.
“In addition to our 16 veterans who were recognized on the Wall of Honor, the ceremony brought 40 to 50 people to this very special event,” said Sandy English, Community Relations Director at Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield. “Everybody appreciated the Wall, and many of those in attendance were visibly moved by the ceremony.”
The John Lewis Shade American Legion Post 6 honor guard of Clearfield presented the colors during the event held on July 3. Sergeant First Class Shawn Reese performed the National Anthem. Rev. Dr. Mary Jo Bruinooge of the Presbyterian Church of Clearfield provided the invocation. Clearfield Borough Mayor Mason Strouse delivered opening remarks.
“This program and the Wall of Honor is absolutely one of the nicest things we have done,” Bradford said. “The friends and families of our veterans attended. The turnout was absolutely phenomenal. We had standing-room-only.”
English spoke about the Wall of Honor during the ceremony. Then, Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield LifeStages Director Calley Kephart introduced the Wall of Honor members.
The Wall of Honor veterans included:
- John F. Beard, U.S. Army
- Larry D. Hummell, U.S. Navy
- Andrew Tocimak, U.S. Army
- Amor W. Miller, U.S. Army
- Donald O. Rhone, U.S. Air Force
- William L. Rowles, U.S. Army
- Russell E. Condon, U.S. Army
- George A. Waring, U.S. Navy
- Edward Solensky, U.S. Navy
- Blaine L. Schnars, U.S. Army
- Charles E. Crawford, U.S. Army
- George I. Anderson, U.S. Marine Corps
- Thomas L. Hammer, U.S. Army
- Mildred E. Harchak, U.S. Navy Reserve
- John G. Lindsey, PA National Guard U.S. Army
- Ruth A. Yingling, U.S. Navy
“We felt it would be a wonderful idea for Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield to have a Wall of Honor to recognize our residents and those in our community who served our country,” Bradford said. “That’s how this all started. It’s a very visible display when you enter the community. People come into the community, stop at the Wall and spend time looking at all of the veterans’ photographs.”
“This wall is such an important addition to our whole community,” added English. “It brings us a layer of respect for our residents who served.”
For more information, contact Sandy English, Community Relations Director, Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield, at senglish@integracare.com or 814.765.2246.