All went well! We had 9 SKs in regalia! Gene Ast carried the American flag and Ron Cacini carried the Papal flag. Both were wearing white capes! As I recall Nick Gaudio and Drew Porro flanked the flags. We also had 4 SKs in the second rank, John Rodi, Bill Gladney, Dom Mancini, and Tom Galenziewski. We posted the Colors and led everyone in a Pledge of Allegiance. During the Pledge and the following "America the Beautiful" we all came to "Present Sword."
Deacon Fred was the celebrant. Dan McCabe recited the poem "Flanders Fields" and led the procession with the cross. John Seliga read a very moving poem. The Blessed Bakers made a lot of cookies and we received many compliments! The crowd was smaller than last year but I believe that everyone was deeply moved by the ceremony. We also retired the Colors! Someone noted that I had not forgotten how to march! A number of SKs came in civilian clothes, including Art Gomez,who is recovering from rotator cuff surgery, John Finical, and Fred DeVera among others. The attendees stayed quite a while after the ceremony.
John Van Maynen told me a very moving account of his involvement as a young sailor in WW2. He participated in the invasion of North Africa, Salerno, Sicily, Anzio, and France. He served on a landing craft and saw many men die in these invasions. Someone asked me how old John is. He must be close to or over 90! John is so blessed to have survived these landings. Many landing craft were destroyed by heavy German fire!