Published on January 13, 2022 at 08:39
By LOU WHEELAND
Special for the press
Once again, members of the Jordan United Church of Christ joined approximately 2,500 sites across America on December 18, 2021 to lay a wreath in honor or in memory of an American hero on their fallen down.
According to UCC Jordanian historian John Harting, 120 veterans representing all of America’s wars are buried in the cemetery.
Nearly 130 wreaths were distributed, with the additional wreaths being presented to one for each branch of the service, as well as to the Merchant Navy and one to remember service members who have gone missing.
Alex Stephens presented the little-known story of the disappearance of Tiger Flight 739 on March 23, 1962.
The charter flight carried 93 American soldiers, three South Vietnamese and the crew of 11 civilians from San Francisco to Saigon, Vietnam, with fuel stops in Honolulu, Wake Island, Guam and Clark Air Base, Philippines.
All were lost and no sign of the downed aircraft has ever been found.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELAND Jordan UCC Music Director Frank Arbushites performed the prelude to the Jordan UCC Wreaths Across America program, December 18, 2021.
Members of the Parkland High School Orchestra performed patriotic music for the program.
Soprano Michele Doctater-Carias performed the national anthem during the program.
John Harting presented a historic tribute to Jordanian UCC veterans.
Alex Stephens presented the story of the disappearance of Tiger Flight 739 on March 23, 1962.
Reverend Dr. David Charles Smith closed the ceremony with the benediction.
Scout Jacob Rarick played taps on his bugle.
Veterans and family placed memorial wreaths on the altar at Jordan UCC during the annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony: Navy Veteran Stephen Brown, South Whitehall Police Lt. Kathy Ayers, mother of the fallen Marine Sergeant. Austin Ayers; Air Force Captain Larry Hertzog; Marine Corps Sgt. Jason Grozier, South Whitehall Police Community Relations Officer; Army Corporal. Robert Smith and Army Master Sgt. Lucille Gross.
Molly, 9, and Joshua Johnson lay a wreath at the grave of the oldest veteran buried at Jordan UCC Cemetery. Lorentz Guth was in the Pennsylvania militia during the Revolutionary War. He lived from January 26, 1743 to November 2, 1814.
Headstone of Lorentz Guth in Jordan UCC Cemetery, South Whitehall.
