We asked local co-sponsors Jim Justice (Chester Street Tavern) and “Skip” Rogers (Able Forces Foundation) for a perspective on their initial Salute to Service Memorial Day weekend event. It was a musically-anchored event in the Gazebo Village Commons Park area downtown, with a “hard opening” at 1 p.m. that gave Rogers time to return from his participation in the wreath laying at Malcolm Barr Sr.’s noon-launched Dog of War Garden ceremony at the Humane Society of Warren County Julia Wagner Animal Shelter.

“Our Inaugural Memorial Day ‘Salute To Service’ was an incredible day filled with remembrance of fallen heroes, community support, incredible music and food, and tremendous memories of being together with friends and family,” Rogers replied, adding a heartfelt, “God Bless all who participated and supported this wonderful community event for Front Royal. We look forward to next year”.

As do we, Skip, as do we.

Lay Minister Michael Williams gives his second benediction of the day during the 1 p.m. hard opening of Salute to Service, having done the same at the Dogs of War Memorial service at noon, as co-sponsor ‘Skip’ Rogers listens to right. Below, Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter Sam Tate jams with friends Sunny Lane and the Dirty Hippies.

Co-sponsor Jim Justice of The Chester Street Tavern, which served as a musical staging and jamming area across from the park, asked that we acknowledge the full complement of sponsoring agencies, businesses, musicians, exhibitors, vendors, and individuals that made the above-described “community event” possible. We replied that if he had gone to the trouble to list them all, we would do our best to oblige. So, here they are:

“Our veteran support foundations: Skip and Kathy Rogers of Able Forces Foundation, and Chris Jacobson and team of Farmer Veteran Coalition.

“Our primary sponsors, including musicians: Sam Tate, The Hobo Mariners, Sunny Lane and the Dirty Hippies, Sally Mae Foster; and Gysea Soul; along with Moose Lodge, 4Js Farm and Brewery, Thru w/Therapy, Quecon Inc., Passage Creek Rising, Buckhead Farm, The Giving Tree, National Media Services.

Sam Tate did some solo performing Friday evening in co-sponsor Jim Justice’s Chester St. Tavern. Below, Tate with co-sponsors Rogers and Justice. ‘I hope tomorrow is as great as tonight,’ Tate told his audience at the end of his stellar Friday evening indoor presentation of his award-winning material.

“Exhibitors: the American Legion, Sons of the Revolutionary War, Honor Flight Top of Virginia, Virginia Department of Veteran Services; and our two veteran food vendors; brothers Rick Gardner (Carolina Dreamin) and Tim Gardner (Firestorm Pizza)

“To the contributing volunteers of Chester Street Tavern, including Deb Moyer, Suzanne Obetz, Hank Gorecki, and Shaireese Fletcher.

“Other local sponsors included: the Virginia Beer Museum, Malcolm Barr, Glenn Wood, Key Move Properties, and Farm Bureau Virginia, Royal Examiner, The River 95.3.

“And lest we forget the town staff, including Lizi Lewis, Scott Curry, and our local law enforcement officers,” Justice almost concluded. – Uh oh, do we really want to include this last one?!? – Well, he’ll probably write something bad about us if we edit him out, so why not? “And lastly, to our media master Roger Bianchini,” Justice finished with a nod our way.

Hey, just doing my job in alerting this community to what appeared to be, and was, an outstanding addition to Front Royal and Warren County’s Memorial Day weekend celebration, with a nod to our associate Malcolm Barr Sr. and his related story’s acknowledged co-conspirators Marine Lt. Col. Rob MacDougall, Able Forces “Skip” Rogers, among others in this community.

And a few more musical shots from the “Salute to Service” inaugural offering in memory of, not only our nation and community’s fallen soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, but also those who survived and mourn those lost. Bless them all.

‘Captain Rich’ and Michelle of the Hobo Mariners helped keep the entertainment rolling as a Veterans Bikers club rolled in early in the afternoon.

And to make their point, Sunny Lane and the Dirty Hippies’ on their own, did an outstanding version of the Mama & Papas hippie-era song, ‘California Dreaming’ on such (a dirty hippies) winter’s night.’

I asked our contributing writer Malcolm Barr Sr., a lifelong journalist and retired U.S. government public affairs officer, with a lifelong affection for animals, particularly dogs, that he has helped rescue and cared for most of his 91 years and counting, for a perspective on what he has indicated this year will be his last organizationally overseeing of the Dogs of War Garden Memorial Day weekend ceremony at the Humane Society of Warren County’s Julia Wagner Animal Shelter. Below is his response, reflecting on quite the local Memorial Day weekend personal history.

Following in the text and beyond is a pictorial account of the Saturday noon, May 25, Dogs of War Garden ceremony beginning with the bagpipe call of Jim Lundt flanked by Malcolm Barr Sr. and Kayla Wines to the left, as the R-MA Color Guard prepares, along with guests. Royal Examiner Still Photos Roger Bianchini, video by Mark Williams.

It might also be noted that when Barr and his late wife Carol retired to Front Royal in 2002, their son Malcolm Jr. attended and graduated from Randolph-Macon Academy, ultimately serving in Iraq with the U.S. Air Force – Glad you made it home, Malcolm Junior.

And God bless my friend, and our contributing writer, for his love of animals, especially dogs and dogs of service, and of those dogs of service and their handlers. And bless ALL veterans who have made war’s ultimate sacrifice when it was called upon to be given. And God Bless those lost-to-conflict veterans’ families and friends left behind to mourn their sacrifice.

Valley Chorale members open the ceremony with the Anthem and later added a stirring version of ‘Shenandoah’ among their offerings.

A Memorial Day weekend reflection by Malcolm Barr Sr.

More than a decade ago, the streets of Front Royal were silent on Memorial Day weekend. No ceremony, no salute to the fallen of all wars since the civil war, no bands playing, just a federal holiday weekend with folks taking advantage of store sales. For whatever reason, tributes to the fallen in Front Royal and Warren County had, in fact, fallen by the wayside.

Raised as a child in war-torn England through the years of World War II (1939-45), and serving in the Royal Air Force (UK) in a post-war “clean up” capacity (1951-54), I became deeply aware of the lives lost in that war, and subsequent wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, attending the traditional November 11 “Armistice Day” ceremonies in England, Canada and the United States.

My life as a journalist evolved from sports writing in England, to general assignment reporting in Canada, to military writing in America where I proudly covered from my post in Hawaii – home of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the 25th Infantry Division, headquarters Pacific Air Forces, and the Fleet Marine Force Pacific – the activities of these forces during the decade of the 1960s when the Vietnam War heated up. I have before me now a program from the 189th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel where I was honored to be a guest of the Marines, specifically Lt. Gen. Victor H. Krulak, who on that memorable evening pronounced me an “honorary Marine”, a title I’ve proudly carried with me through the last 60 years, many of them as a proud (associate) member of the U.S, Marine Corps Combat Correspondents’ Association.

Reporting for The Associated Press in the Pacific in 1966 I found myself assigned to a B-52 bomber flight over Cambodia from the distant Pacific island of Guam. I was bumped from the flight at the last minute, and found myself stranded several thousand miles from home base. What to do? I stopped by the 14th Naval District headquarters where a young public information officer volunteered to show me the island’s World War II dog cemetery. It involved a heated trek into the jungle, fighting our way with machetes in 90-plus degree heat through to a peaceful, though overgrown, glade where we uncovered the headstones of three of some 22 graves containing the remains of war dogs killed while on duty in the Pacific theater.

Keynote speaker, retired U.S. Marine dog handler and current R-MA staffer Christine George gave an emotional recounting of the human/K9 war-front-and-beyond bond.

As a lifetime lover of dogs, and active in dog rescue for many of those years, I wrote an article about the cemetery and its apparent abandonment that ran world-wide and caught the attention of the then Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Subsequently, the cemetery was handed off to the U.S. Marine Corps that ultimately cleared the land and built a handsome memorial honoring the dogs and their contribution to the war effort. Reportedly, the cemetery and the memorial have become a popular tourist mecca, attracting thousands of visitors each year and many war dog memorials have cropped up both in the U.S. and in Europe, specifically in England, France, Belgium and Holland.

As a former president of the Humane Society of Warren County (HSWC), I approached the Front Royal Animal Shelter with a proposal to develop a memorial garden honoring the war dogs and their compatriots, the K-9s involved in local law enforcement, particularly since the first war dogs of World War II were sent into battle directly from their training facility in Front Royal. We opened the garden three years ago, honoring the dogs and their handlers on each Memorial Day weekend, including this past weekend where I officiated for the last time as my 92nd birthday approaches.

U.S. Marine Corps reservist Lt. Col. Robert MacDougall has taken over from me the regular Memorial Day ceremony, promising along with Able Forces Director “Skip” Rogers, to maintain the twin ceremonies honoring both the military men and women who lost their lives in fighting for their country, and the dogs that helped these brave men and women on the battlefield that also were killed in the line of duty. Both of these colleagues of mine were instrumental this year in organizing and sponsoring several Memorial Day weekend activities, which filled the entire weekend, at the Julia Wagner Animal Shelter (Dogs of War salute), the downtown Gazebo park (Salute to Service) and County Courthouse grounds.

Able Forces Veterans Assistance principal ‘Skip Rogers, also a retired military dog handler, lays the wreath in the War Dog Memorial Garden at the Humane Society of Warren County’s Wagner Animal Shelter.

For me, this was a bitter-sweet weekend in which I gave way to age, stepping back from active participation in the future, and thanking those who have helped put Memorial Day back on the map in Warren County. Those include the aforementioned two service veterans; the late Victor “Tory” Failmezger, a U.S. Navy veteran and local author of World War II books; the Town of Front Royal that sponsored the original Gazebo-area ceremonies prior to COVID; Randolph-Macon Academy; Fussell Florist; lay minister Michael Williams for his invocation; bagpiper Jim Lundt; and more lately the Valley Chorale; the current Wagner Animal Shelter staff and its executive director, Kayla Wines.

Thank you, everyone, and God Bless America and those who sacrifice all to preserve the ideals upon which it was built.

The R-MA Color Guard at attention as the Valley Chorale adds their voices to the ceremony once again. Hey, good job guys – Rob MacDougall and Christine George congratulate R-MA cadets on a Color Guard job well done.

A trip inside the Wagner Shelter for post-event catered snacks revealed these three patriotic residents waiting for the right ‘forever home’ visitor to find them.

And Malcolm was at both the Salute to Service event later Saturday co-sponsored by ‘Skip’ Rogers Able Forces; and as pictured here with Sheriff Crystal Cline and event host Rob MacDougall, at the Memorial Day ceremony at the Courthouse grounds Monday at noon as well. Courtesy Photo Jen Avery

Front Royal gathered on the courthouse lawn under a sunny sky for its annual Memorial Day commemoration, a heartfelt tribute to those who paid the ultimate price in military service to the nation. The event began with welcoming remarks from Robert MacDougall, a retired U.S. Marine who served for 12 years on active duty and another 10 years in the Marine Corps Reserve. McDougall co-chaired the event with Skip Rogers, an Army veteran who served as a dog handler from 1968 to 1974 and now leads the Able Forces Foundation, helping veterans in need.

MacDougall’s opening speech set the tone for the day. “We gather today to acknowledge, remember, and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country,” he said. His words were a reminder of the bravery and selflessness of those who have served.

The ceremony continued with an opening prayer from Michael Williams, Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church of Front Royal. Williams spoke about the significance of sacrifice and unity. “Almighty God, we live in troubling times. We see people fighting and dying for what we believe are both just and unjust causes,” he prayed. His invocation emphasized the importance of remembering those who have died for the freedoms we enjoy.

Following the prayer, the Clark sisters led the assembly in the national anthem, their voices harmonizing beautifully as they sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The stirring rendition was met with applause as the audience stood in respect.

MacDougall then introduced several local leaders who have contributed to making Front Royal a special place. Special mention was given to Malcolm Barr, Sr., who, at 91 years old, played a pivotal role in renewing the town’s Memorial Day commemoration 12 years ago.

The keynote speaker, Joe McFadden, shared his journey and Memorial Day’s meaning. McFadden, a Marine Corps veteran and current member of the Virginia Army National Guard, spoke about his experiences in Iraq and the profound losses he witnessed. He recounted the deaths of Major Ricardo Crocker and Staff Sergeant David Stewart, emphasizing the deep personal connections and the lasting impact of their sacrifices.

“Today is not just a day to remember the abstract idea of fallen soldiers, but the very real people behind the uniforms who left behind families, dreams, and legacies,” McFadden said. His poignant stories brought the audience closer to the reality of the sacrifices made by service members.

The ceremony also highlighted the life of Marine Corporal Jonathan Yale, a young man from Burkeville, Virginia, who was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his heroic actions in Iraq. Yale’s bravery saved the lives of more than 50 Marines and Iraqi policemen when he stopped a suicide bomber from entering their base. The reading of his citation was a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those in uniform.

Michael Williams offered the closing prayer titled “With Gratitude and Honor, ” written by Jay Veltri.” The prayer called for remembrance and care for the families of the fallen, emphasizing that freedom is not free and honoring the sacrifices of those who have defended it.

“Freedom and security are achieved and maintained at a high price,” the prayer concluded. “Please do what you can to support the servicemembers that came home with injuries, both seen and unseen, and the families of those servicemembers that did not come home.”

The ceremony ended with a call to action for the community to continue supporting veterans and their families, cherishing the freedoms secured through immense sacrifice. “Remind those you gather with this weekend about the true meaning of Memorial Day,” Rogers urged. “Strive to be a citizen worth defending.”

Front Royal’s Memorial Day commemoration was a touching and respectful event, reminding all in attendance of the importance of honoring those who have served the country. The day was both a solemn remembrance and a celebration of the values and freedoms these heroes fought to protect.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1860 held a solemn ceremony to honor the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The event occurred at the Panorama Memorial Gardens under a clear sky, drawing a crowd of community members and veterans who gathered to pay their respects.

Jeff Cook, the Commander of VFW Post 1860, opened the ceremony with heartfelt welcoming remarks. “Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of VFW Post 1860, we thank you for being here today and paying tribute to those who did not make it back, who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.

Following Commander Cook’s remarks, Chaplain Billy Adams led the assembly in an opening prayer. He began with a call to uncover and bow heads, addressing the “Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, the Lord of hosts and the God of peace.” His prayer sought blessings for families, guidance for leaders, and comfort for those who mourn. “Bless the sick, the needy, and the afflicted,” he prayed, “We ask this, children, widows, and our children in the national home, to help fulfill our duties towards you.” The Chaplain’s words emphasized the community’s collective duty to care for one another and uphold the values the fallen had fought.

Commander Cook resumed the ceremony, underscoring the enduring commitment of the VFW to honor their comrades. “As long as two comrades survive, so will the veterans of foreign wars of the United States render tribute to our heroic dead,” he affirmed. Cook’s speech highlighted the hallowed ground they stood, commemorating all service members who had given their lives. “For the flag of our nation, these United States still flies over a land of free people,” he proclaimed, reminding attendees of the freedoms secured by their sacrifices.

Senior Vice Commander George Pouzenc was called forward to place a symbol of remembrance and gratitude on behalf of Post 1860. Junior Vice Commander Geoffrey White followed, placing a symbol of purity on the grave and monument, urging future generations to emulate the unselfish courage of those who fought for freedom.

Officer of the day, Warren Roach, placed a tribute of devotion in everlasting remembrance of the heroic dead. His act was a poignant reminder of the enduring respect and gratitude owed to those who defended the nation.

The ceremony continued with commands and ceremonial actions, culminating in Chaplain Billy Adams’ closing prayer. He asked for divine comfort for the bereaved and blessings for the country, ending with a hopeful note for eternal peace.

As the event drew to a close, Jeff Cook thanked everyone for attending and invited those with time to join in placing flags at veterans’ grave markers. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending today’s ceremony. Please join us if you have the time. We’ll be placing flags at veterans’ grave markers. Post dismissed.”

The ceremony was a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by countless servicemen and women. It served as a call to honor their legacy through continued service, remembrance, and gratitude.

On Monday, May 27th, the Front Royal community will gather on the lawn of the Warren County Courthouse to honor America’s fallen servicemembers during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony. This one-hour event, beginning at noon, is expected to be a moving tribute of gratitude and remembrance.

The ceremony will be led by co-chairs Skip Rogers and Robert MacDougall, who have played key roles in organizing the event. They will deliver heartfelt remarks to honor the servicemembers from Front Royal and Warren County who have sacrificed for our nation.

A highlight of the ceremony will be a flag detail by the disciplined cadets from Randolph Macon Academy. Their precise and synchronized movements in raising and lowering the flag are sure to evoke deep respect and pride among attendees. Additionally, a ceremonial bagpiper will add a touch of tradition with melodies that inspire reflection and honor.

This year’s guest of honor is Joe McFadden, a Marine combat veteran of Iraq, current member of the Virginia National Guard, local business owner of Battlegrounds Fitness, and Front Royal resident. McFadden will share his personal reflections, adding a profound and personal element to the ceremony.

The Front Royal community invites everyone to attend this free event to recognize the true meaning of Memorial Day: remembering and honoring those who have given their lives in service to our country. The ceremony offers a moment to reflect on their sacrifices and reminds us of the values and freedoms they fought to preserve.

We encourage all to join us in paying respects and remembering America’s fallen servicemembers this Memorial Day. By honoring their sacrifice, we acknowledge the cost of the freedoms we enjoy every day.