Local News
Veterans Day recalls service, sacrifice and a desire for peace
Above, local high school bands warmed the crowd up – WCHS and R-MA pictured, Skyline out of frame; below, as the WC Courthouse clock clicks toward 11 a.m., the R-MA Color Guard stands ready. See 10 more event photos at the end of story. Photos/Roger Bianchini
An impressive thing about Veterans Day services from year to year in Front Royal is the broad remembrance of its origin. While 2017 veered from the norm of initiating that remembrance at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month minus one day due to that 11th day coming on Saturday, the emotions were no different.
If the public officials acknowledging our memory of personal sacrifice for a greater good change from year to year, the thought does not. This year’s keynote speaker was Col. John C. Casserino of R-MA; John Kokernak acknowledged the POW’s and MIA’s; Front Royal’s incumbent Mayor Hollis Tharpe spoke; Haley Wills directed the E. Wilson Morrison Choir; R-MA provided the Color Guard; and the WCHS, Skyline and R-MA bands performed.
Other people and images remain constant from year to year – a Gold Star Mother Helen Seekford, bundled from the cold; chaplains asking for God’s blessing on those who have served and those who wait anxiously for their return; and the veterans themselves who’s crisp salutes and erect posture recall the duty and discipline of their service.
This year Shelley Remillard of the Post 53 Ladies Auxiliary’s invocation asked, as others have in other years, for Divine countenance on his humble creatures gathered, to evolve beyond a need for war as a solution to human disagreement.
Each year that I hear that plea for peace I am reminded why we traditionally celebrate what is now known as Veteran’s Day at 11 a.m. on 11-11 each year. One year after World War I ended on that 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918, by Presidential Decree “Armistice Day” was created to recall the end of what was, perhaps naively at the time, thought by many to be the end of the “War That Would End All Wars”.
Why such a belief? – Because war, as brutal and far-reaching as it had been throughout recorded history, had never before seen such a face. It was the face of modern technology – machine guns, tanks, airplanes and poison gas, meeting old-world fighting techniques of tightly-lined assaults into the teeth of enemy positions; a war where retreat was followed by the gas, the tanks, the bombs from the sky, and refuge was perilous at best.
The result was a carnage lasting just under five years that saw over 17 million killed, 7 million of those civilians; and another 20 million wounded across Europe. Surely the human race had learned a lesson – that modern technology and war were incompatible with its survival.
But today, 99 years after the end of that war and 98 years after the first Armistice Day celebration, we know that hope appears to have been a futile one. As Keynote Speakers often note of Veterans Day and its Armistice Day origin, “It celebrates peace; but as the ancient Greek philosophers said, ‘Only the dead see an end to war.’
And perhaps realization of that unhappy fact is why “Armistice Day” has evolved into “Veterans Day” since our collective experience is that 11-11-1918 did NOT mark the end of the war that would end all wars.
Giles B. Cook Legion Post 53 Commander Larry Funk again hosted our Front Royal-Warren County Veterans Day ceremony. As Commander Funk has lamented in past ceremonies, many of our surviving veterans of the wars that have come since 1918 continue to deal with consequences of their wartime experiences. He has urged us not to forget the large number of homeless veterans, as many as 67,000 have been cited on previous Veterans Days here; as well as unemployed vets. Most tragically for those who have returned, Funk has pointed to as many as 20 veteran suicides a day in some yeas.
On a chill, windy but suddenly bright, sunny, mid-fall day in 2017, I found my thoughts drifting to the poem “In Flanders Fields”, referenced last year by then-Mayor Tim Darr. The poem was written in May 1915 by Canadian military doctor and artillery commander Major John McCrae. Its impetus is believed to have been McCrae’s conduct of the field burial service for Lieutenant Alexis Helmer in the absence of a company chaplain:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
It is my recollection that Veterans Day 2014 was the first cited without a veteran of World War I still alive. And as then, again on November 11, I mean 10th, 2017, I found myself humming as I was thinkin’ on all this. The melody and lyrics of a mid-1960s song penned by 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature winner, Bob Dylan began drifting into my mind. So as last year in Royal Examiner’s coverage of Veterans Day, I think these Nobel Prize-contributing lyrics appropriate to conclude our annual tribute to our military veterans, past, present and future, with a still hopeful nod to its forbearer, Armistice Day:
With God On Our Side
Oh my name it is nothin’, my age it means less
The country I come from, is called the Midwest
I’s taught and brought up there, the laws to abide
And the land that I live in, has God on its side.
Oh the history books tell it, they tell it so well; The cavalries charged, the Indians fell; The cavalries charged, the Indians died; Oh the country was young then, with God on its side
The Spanish-American, War had its day
And the Civil War too, was soon laid away
And the names of the heroes, I’s made to memorize
With guns on their hands, and God on their side.
The First World War, boys, it came and it went; The reason for fighting, I never did get; But I learned to accept it, accept it with pride; For you don’t count the dead, when God’s on your side.
When the Second World War came to an end
We forgave the Germans, and then we were friends
Though they murdered six million, in the ovens they fried
The Germans now too, have God on their side.
I’ve learned to hate the Russians, all through my whole life
If another war comes, it’s them we must fight
To hate them and fear them, to run and to hide
And accept it all bravely, with God on my side.
But now we got weapons, of chemical dust
If fire them we’re forced to, then fire them we must
One push of the button, and the shot’s worldwide
And you never ask questions, when God’s on your side.
In a many dark hour, I’ve been thinkin’ about this,
That Jesus Christ, was betrayed by a kiss
But I can’t think for you, you’ll have to decide
Whether Judas Iscariot, had God on his side
So now as I’m leavin’, I’m weary as hell
The confusion I’m feelin’, ain’t no tongue can tell
The words fill my head, and fall to the floor
If God’s on our side, He’ll stop the next war.
A beautiful, if chilly fall Veterans Day in Front Royal
This 3-photo sequence shows the Colors being presented as Gold Star Mother Helen Seekford watches.
In the background, flags at half staff in front of the new Front Royal Town Hall as the ceremony begins; at center foreground, local Memorial Day event organizer Malcolm Barr Sr. brought his Husky Pola as a tribute to the role of the dogs of war.
Shelley Remillard of the Post 53 Ladies Auxiliary delivers the invocation.
The E. Wilson Morrison Choir under direction of Haley Wills.
Mayor Hollis Tharpe remembers the service and sacrifice of America’s soldiers.
With a remembrance of the nation’s POW’s and MIA’s in place on an empty chair in front of him, Giles B. Cook Post 53 Commander Larry Funk addresses the service of those who return and those who do not.
Veterans Randy Vaughan, left, and Danny Whitsell were among those to enjoy a post-ceremony luncheon at the Legion Post 53 headquarters following the 2017 Veterans Day ceremony. (We’d like to thank Post 53’s ‘Buster’ Ramos for his help in assembling information on this year’s event)
Chamber News
Melodies on Main: Community Cheers as Money Pit Recording Studio Opens Doors
The Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce welcomed Bob Wilson and the Money Pit Recording Studio to the community in an April 24, 2024, ribbon-cutting ceremony. This marked a significant milestone in the local music scene with the grand opening of the Money Pit Recording Studio. The event was a festive gathering of community members, music enthusiasts, and industry professionals to support Bob Wilson, the studio’s founder. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was a celebration of new beginnings and a nod to the vibrant potential the studio brings to the area.
Bob, a seasoned musician and producer, shared his journey from playing bass and fiddle in various bands to setting up his recording studio. The studio, aptly named ‘Money Pit’ as a playful nod to the financial whirlwinds often associated with musical pursuits, promises to be a haven for local talent and musicians from various genres. Bob’s story is one of passion fueled by decades of experience in the music industry, leading him to establish his own space where creativity meets technology finally.
During the ceremony, attendees were treated to a tour of the facility. Bob detailed a nine-month labor of love focused on creating a comfortable, high-quality recording environment. The studio boasts a blend of analog and digital technologies, adhering to Bob’s vision of offering a distinctive and efficient recording experience.
Money Pit Recording Studio is set up to cater to diverse musical styles and artists. Bob expressed his openness to working with all genres, from country to hip-hop, ensuring that every artist’s vision could be realized in his studio. His approach is hands-on, preferring the tactile feel of knobs and sliders to create the perfect sound over navigating through software menus.
The studio’s name, while humorous, underscores Bob’s commitment to providing exceptional quality without the pressure of the ticking clock that often plagues recording sessions. This philosophy will likely resonate with artists seeking a space that values perfection in their craft.
As the community left the opening event, the excitement was palpable, with many expressing eagerness to see how the Money Pit Recording Studio would evolve into a cornerstone of local music production. Bob’s journey from musician to studio owner is a powerful reminder of the music industry’s enduring spirit of creativity and dedication.
Local News
Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: American Toad
Please remember to check your lawn before you mow!
Patient 24-683 recovering at BRWC. @BRWC 2024
This beautiful American toad was hit by a lawnmower on Saturday and suffered injuries to the right wrist and right hind leg.
Patient 24-683 at intake.
Unfortunately, due to the level of trauma, the right hind leg required amputation at the level of the knee, which was performed once the patient was stabilized.
This patient is still eligible for release once recovered and will do just fine in the wild, even with one less leg to hop on!
This time of year we see species of all kinds come into care with injuries inflicted by mowers and weedwhackers. Luckily, injuries like this are preventable in many cases.
Patient 24-683 recovering at BRWC. @BRWC 2024
Some people will sweep their lawn with a broom to flush out any animals that may be hiding (also a great way to find and protect a bunny nest). You can also enlist a child, partner, or friend to keep you company while you mow by walking a few feet ahead and checking for wildlife as they go!
Or, if you are looking for an alternative to a turf grass lawn, consider replacing some or all of it with native plants! Traditional lawns provide little functional space for wildlife, use excessive water, and often introduce fertilizers and pesticides that damage our environment.
Reducing the need to mow and creating beautiful and healthy habitat for native wildlife is a win-win!
Native pollinator garden at BRWC. @BRWC 2022-2023
Looking for an easy way to help native wildlife? Become a monthly BRWC donor! For as little as $5/month, you can provide year-round, sustainable support that helps us fulfill our mission.
Local News
Warren County Virginia Sheriff’s Office Rallies Support for Deputy Whose Home Was Severely Damaged by a Fire
In an urgent Facebook post on Monday, April 22, Sheriff Crystal Cline alerted the community to the plight of a deputy whose home was severely damaged by a fire that day.
“This morning, we were reminded of the unpredictable challenges that life can throw at us,” she wrote. “One of my deputies faced a heartbreaking tragedy when a fire severely damaged his home, resulting in the loss of everything he held dear, including his beloved pet.
“This deputy has lived his life on the frontlines—he served in the Army, then as a volunteer and professional firefighter, and now as a deputy with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office serving our community.
“Your support, whether through prayer, donations, or financial contributions, will help provide the immediate needs of shelter, clothing, and other essentials during this critical time. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office (200 Skyline Vista Drive, Front Royal, VA) will be a drop-off location for any physical items or financial donations—ask for Jenn.
I appreciate your kindness, generosity, and support. We are more than a community; we are a FAMILY!”
Out of respect for the deputy, his identity was not revealed. Even so, the sheriff’s Facebook page has been inundated by people who want to help. Many types of donations are welcome, as the sheriff emphasized, and for those specifically wanting to make online financial contributions, a link is provided on the WCSO’s page. Michael Glavis of the WCSO has organized that site for raising funds, the “Sheriff Deputy House Fire Relief Fund.” Glavis considers the deputy a dear friend and work colleague. “He has given blood and sweat for others, and now I’m asking for everyone to give a little to help him and his family through the process of recovery,” Glavis said.
Local News
Illuminating Futures: Celebrating Achievements and Exploring Quantum Computing at ‘This is IT!’ Event
The “This Is IT!” club of Warren County, Virginia, marked another milestone as a hub for budding IT enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds. The club, which started in 2023, has quickly become a cornerstone for students interested in the ever-evolving world of information technology.
At the ‘This is IT!’ club gathering at the Samuels Public Library on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, students and community members came together to celebrate and learn. The club includes 9th to 12th-grade students from public, private, and homeschool backgrounds and is aimed to ignite curiosity and reward academic excellence in information technology and quantum computing.
The ceremony kicked off with an introduction by Melissa Chapman, an instructor involved with the club. She set the stage for a night that was not only about recognition but also about expanding young minds. “Understanding the vocabulary of quantum computing is the first step towards mastery,” Chapman remarked, highlighting the importance of foundational knowledge in this cutting-edge field.
The focal point of the evening was the guest lecture by Dr. Bruce Chesley, an aerospace engineer who adeptly connected the seemingly distant realms of space exploration and quantum computing. With palpable enthusiasm, Dr. Chesley described how quantum technologies could revolutionize our approach to exploring the cosmos. His talk made the complex topics accessible and entertaining, captivating the aspiring scientists in attendance.
Amidst the talks, the club took a moment to honor its bright young members through a scholarship awards ceremony. Scholarships were awarded to students who have shown exceptional prowess in STEM fields. These awards are a testament to the community’s support for its young learners and a major encouragement for them to pursue further education in technology. The winners were Jude O’Neal, Elijah Hambric, Jack Gillespie, Benedict Keough, Matthias Biedler, and Uli Duke.
From left to right: Jude O’Neal, Elijah Hambric, Jack Gillespie, Benedict Keough, Matthias Biedler, Uli Duke
The “This Is IT!” club continues to grow, driven by passion and enthusiasm for technology and innovation. Each meeting and event cements its role as a vital resource for Warren County’s youth, inspiring them to explore and excel in the field of information technology. As the club prepares for another exciting year, it remains a shining example of how community and education can come together to build a brighter future.
Local News
The Apple Blossom Coronation Legacy Continues for the Historical Event
For the first time in the history of the Shenandoah Apple Bossom Festival® three consecutive generations in a family will have served as Queen Shenandoah. Susan Ford Bales, Queen in 1975, and Tyne Vance Berlanga, Queen in 2001, will be accompanying Joy Elizabeth Berlanga as she assumes her role as Queen Shenandoah XCVII.
The Crowning Ceremony entertains from regal pomp and circumstance to joyful enthusiasm of Little Maids and Pages who are ever present to serve their Queen. The youthful court interchange historical and educational facts from the British Crown to learning about a United States President – to asking, “Who has the Crown?,” and with dancing. The Queen will be crowned at the memorable Coronation celebration under the direction of Elaine B. Aikens. The Ceremony to install the new sovereign is sponsored by Morgan Orthodontics, on Friday, May 3 at 1:30 p.m.at Handley High School. President Gerald Ford crowned Susan. Susan crowned Tyne, and Joy will be crowned by her mother and escorted by her grandmother.
Susan, Joy’s grandmother, is a Virginia native and now resides in Texas. She is the daughter of President Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford. Susan is the mother of two daughters, Tyne Berlanga and Heather Deavers, five grandchildren, Joy Elizabeth Berlanga, Cruz Vance Berlanga, Elizabeth Blanch Deavers, Jude Deavers, and Sullivan Bales, and three stepsons, Kevin, Matthew, and Andrew Bales.
Susan was raised in Alexandria, Virginia and attended Holton Arms School and the University of Kansas, where she studied photojournalism. She is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service degree, an Honorary Doctorate of Letters degree, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree. She is the author of two novels set in the Whie House, “Double Exposure: A First Daughter Mystery”, and its sequel, “Sharp Focus.”
Susan is the Ship’s Sponsor for the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), which she officially christened on November 9, 2013. On April 8, 2016, in recognition of her service as the Ship’s Sponsor, she was named an Honorary Naval Aviator by the United States Navy, becoming only the 31st American to receive this distinction. And history was made with her selection – Susan is the first woman to be chosen as an Honorary Naval Aviator.
During her high school years, Susan lived in the White House and served as official White House hostess following her mother’s surgery for breast cancer in 1974. In 1984, she and her mother helped launch National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Susan subsequently served as national spokesperson for breast cancer awareness. Since the founding of the Betty Ford Center in 1982, Susan worked side by side with her mother on projects at the Center and was elected to the Center’s Board of Directors in 1992. She succeeded her mother as Chairman of the Board 2005-2010, and currently serves on the board of directors of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
In addition to her many charitable public service activities, Susan serves as Co-Trustee of the President Gerald R. Ford Historical Legacy, Trustee, Trustee of the Elizabeth B. Ford Charitable Trust, and the Honorary Advisory Committee of the Children’s National Medical Center.
Tyne, mother of Joy, Queen-designate, resides in Frisco, TX with her husband Hector and two children, Joy and Cruz. She serves as a marketing manager for Western Son. With a passion for community involvement, Tyne sits on multiple school booster club boards for all her children’s activities.
On Tyne’s departure as Queen she reflected, “It was easy to be kind, gracious and humble Queen when surrounded by the people of Winchester. My five-day reign as Queen Shenandoah was an occasion that will have a special place in my heart. I have formed friendships and made memories that will hopefully stay with me for a long time to come. On Sunday morning I was doing an exit interview with one of the reporters and he asked me, “If l had a daughter would I let her be Queen?” My answer was immediately “Yes, if she’s lucky enough to be given this opportunity.” Now, Tyne eagerly anticipates returning to Winchester where Joy is set to embark on a remarkable journey, echoing Tyne’s own experiences from 23 years prior. It’s truly heartwarming to be able to share this moment with both her mother and daughter.
The Queen and her family will ride in the Hang 10 Firefighters’ Parade Friday evening at 5:30 and the glo fiber Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m. Queen-designate Joy and her family will be making appearances at Festival events during the weekend.
Tickets to Festival events are available at www.thebloom.com/events.
Community Events
Valley Chorale Announces Upcoming Spring Concerts in Middletown and Front Royal
The Valley Chorale presents “Wishing On a Song – Music in the Key of Hope”, a spring concert exploring aspirations of love, home, spirituality and compassion that unite and uplift us all. With styles ranging from light classical and sacred to vocal jazz, spirituals and pop, The Valley Chorale strives to capture the hopes that unite us.
The Valley Chorale is known throughout the Shenandoah Valley for innovation and excellence, with piano, cello and percussion accompaniment, and their concerts are often a heart-warming experience for all. They welcome babies and tots, so no need to hire a babysitter.
Tickets can be purchased on their website TheValleyChorale.org — $15 for age 21+ (free under age 21) or at the door for $17.
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 3:00 – 4:15 PM
Belle Grove Plantation (Bank Barn), 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 3:00 – 4:15 PM
First Baptist Church, 14 W. 1st Street, Front Royal, VA (Community Reception to follow)
For further information, visit the website: TheValleyChorale.org: follow them on Facebook; email them at TheValleyChorale@gmail.com or call at 540-635-4842.
Courtesy Royal Examiner File Photo of The Valley Chorale during the Christmas season. Get ready for their spring concerts ‘Wishing On a Song – Music in the Key of Hope’ the first week of May.
(From a Release by The Valley Chorale)
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