VERSAILLES – On Thursday, November 6th, the Versailles FFA hosted a dinner at the school for Veterans in the surrounding area. Over 225 Veterans and guests attended the dinner.
The program honored active duty military as well as veterans who were in attendance as well as deceased.
To start off the night, those in attendance enjoyed a meal which consisted of barq pork sandwiches, Amish noodle soup, chili soup, and various desserts. During the meal, everyone had the opportunity to look at a table set up for POWs (Prisoners of War). This table was set for one and had many objects that represented the hardships and bitterness of being lost at war. After the meal, the veterans enjoyed listening to two poems recited by Eden Barga and Greta Broering. After the poems, the program had Tiger Tunes sing many patriotic songs, followed by Amplified singing various songs. Followed by remarks from U.S. Representative of Ohio’s 8th Congressional District, Warren Davidson.
Then, both active military parents and veterans were honored with a slideshow. All Veterans and active duty military parents were given a wooden star flag made by the Versailles FFA Mechanical Principles class and a rose arrangement made by the advanced greenhouse class, along with coloring pages colored by Versailles elementary and thank you notes written by Versailles High School students.. The Floral Design class made the centerpieces used for the tables.
Active duty parents in attendance included: Navy, Emmit DeMange; Air Force, John Spitzer and Levi Barga and Space Force, Haddie Treon. Veterans of each branch and their spouses were also recognized. Air Force included: David Dean, Fred Dean, George Stuck, Marck Echeman, Mike Brown, Tim Huber, Tom Hill, Tim Schultz, Ray Boas, David Bechtol, Marlin Falknor, Ernie Clayton, Ed DeMange, Dick Francis, Donna Grilliot, and Ernie Bergman.
Army includes: Tim Wagner, Marlene Bohman, Wilber Petitjean, Caroline Petitjean, Mike McClurg, Larry Roll, Ray Grisez, Lewis Kremer, Dick Didier, Brian Hemmelgarn, Mike Barga, Gary Davidson, Jim Nederman, Bob Grieshop, Dick Berger, John Berger, Paul Huber, Cheryl Magoto, Virg Heitkamp, Larry Pregener and Hattie Knapke. Marines include: Carole Apple, Bryce Echeman, Damon Miller, Bernie Neikamp, Gary Kunk and Dean Winner
National Guard includes: Larry Pleiman, Bill Ahrens, Paul Meyer, George Hesson, Duane Ward, John Schmitmeyer, Ron Mescher, Lannie Brenner, Richard Kiser, Bob Dircksen, Earl Heitkamp and Larry Wuebker. Navy includes: Dave Holfigner, John Echeman, Bob Magoteaux, Angela Pittsenbarger, Larry Beck, Dave Stonebraker, Tom Parin, Larry Henderson, Scott Riffel, Karen Lawerence, Larry Laub, Nick Knapke, Jerry Bey, John Sue, Lester Kueterman and Dave Bey. Members who assisted in making this event possible included Brooke Bergman, Rhylan Broerman, Alayna Dirksen, Simon Broering, Greta Broering, Margaret Schmitmeyer, Gracie Henry, Eden Barga, Jayna Luthman, Lucy Schmitmeyer, Aleta Lonfellow, Vera Pearson, Cecilia Schmitmeyer, Monica Schmitmeyer, Liam Barga, Paige Gehret, Hank Smith, Monica Evers, Drew Geisendorff, Levi Dirksen, Patrick McGlinch, Colby Peters, Drew Fraver, Brooklyn Livingston, Madilyn Wagner, Jake Bergman and Bennett Ruhenkamp.
A special thanks to all the FFA members and parents who made desserts and donated supplies. A special thank you to Krista Harmen for preparing the barq pork for the event.
Thank you to everyone in attendance for the evening!
