George Washington Chapter Honors Veterans at Assisted Living Facility

​On November 10, President Ernie Coggins, Secretary Tom Roth, and Paul Walden honored seven veterans living at the Sunrise at Mount Vernon Assisted Living facility in Alexandria.  The Reverend Thomas Costa, who was spoken to our chapter before, and conducts Sunday morning prayer services at the facility, started the ceremony by reading the lyrics from the Johnny Cash song “Ragged Old Flag.”  After Reverend Costa’s wife, Susan, led us in  singing the National Anthem,  each veteran was presented with a certificate of recognition for their service and a “Proud to be a Veteran” lapel pin.  Many veterans now living in assisted living facilities and nursing homes are often forgotten, so the ceremony reminded them of our nation’s gratitude for their service.  The veterans honored were:
Henry Malik (Navy), Bob Stickell (Navy), Eric Wilder, (Army), Karl Norris (Army), Ron Sedlacek (Navy), Irwin Simensky (Army), and Gene Swedo (Air Force).
A cake in red, white and blue icing with the caption “Sons of the American Revolution Salutes Our Veterans” was then served. The George Washington Chapter was indeed honored to salute these esteemed veterans of our armed forces. 
Then, to show our chapter’s gratitude for Reverend Costa’s service to the public, our chapter, and supporting local Revolutionary War-era history, the Bronze Good Citizenship medal was awarded to him. We even met a resident of the facility who is interested in joining the SAR!  Submitted by Paul Walden

Below on left  (L to R) Tom Roth, Ernie Coggins and Paul Walden with one of the honored veterans at Sunrise;   On the right, Rev. Costa receives his Bronze Good Citizenship Medal