Kiwanis and American Legion Honors Veterans At Bethesda-Chevy Chase Memorial Park

by Gov. Bob Cressy

Saturday, November 11th, 11:00 AM brought forth a bright, warm and sunny Veteran’s Day observance for the veteran’s of all services. This tribute to Montgomery County veterans was hosted for the 47th year by the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda and the American Legion Fitzgerald Cantrell Post # 105, Bethesda, Maryland.

Capital District Kiwanis International Governor, Robert N. Cressy, of Potomac, presided as the Master of Ceremonies for the 18th year at Bethesda-Chevy Chase Veteran’s Memorial Park in Bethesda. Bob served as a U.S. Army battalion artillery officer near the DMZ in South Korea. The tribute to our veterans and active duty forces now serving around the world was opened with the Presentation of the Colors by the Knights of Columbus Color Corps, Cardinal O’Boyle Assembly, George Whorral, III, Commander. Our National Anthem was then sung by Montgomery County Fire & Rescue firefighter Scott Forbes. The Pledge of Allegiance and Half-Staffing of the Colors followed.

Introductions of government officials including 8th District U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen and other dignitaries were made. The main speaker was Master Sergeant Bradly Irish, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, of the U.S. Army Reserve in Maryland. MSG Irish has served in the first Iraq War, Bosnia, Somalia, and two recent tours in the current Iraq War campaign. He spoke of his experiences and the need to support our armed forces of all branches there, as well as those on active duty service at home and other overseas postings. Over 1.2 million service personnel have served in the Iraq theater in the two wars.

The American Legion Posts # 105 and # 59, the Greater Bethesda Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, the Bethesda Urban Partnership, many historical veterans’ groups and the President John Ratnavale and U.S. Army Bronze Star recipient Robert Vigderhouse of the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda, presented wreathes in tribute. In all, twenty seven veterans, government, and civic organizations laid wreathes as tributes to active and decreased veterans of all branches of our United States Armed Services.

The day’s ceremony concluded with TAPS performed by Jari Villanueva, U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass, and the Full Staffing of the Colors by veteran Hank Sanders, American Legion Post # 105. Spirited patriotic music ended the event. The excellent event was chaired by Richard Ruprecht, past president of the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda.
Master Sergeant Bradly Irish, Combat Engineer, U.S. Army Reserve, Corps of Engineers was our speaker at the 47th Annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony by the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda and the American Legion Post #105.
Salute to our Veteran’s – Bethesda Kiwanis President John Ratnavale and Kiwanian and Veteran Bob Vigderhouse, WWII Bronze Star Winner as a U.S. Army medic, Battle of the Bulge, Europe, December 1944.
Bethesda Kiwanian’s form for a photo following this year’s Veteran’s Day tribute to all veterans and active duty members of our United States Armed Forces throughout the world. Left to Right: Jim Aylor, Nancy Cressy, MSG Bradly Irish, Chairman Richard Ruprecht, Bob Vidgerhouse (front), Parker Dorman, Gov. Bob Cressy, Jeanie Smith, Sue Kirk, John Beck, Pres. John Ratnavale, Rev. Dr. Bill Hague. Front row: Ed Smith, Pat Tiede, Kathleen
Three U.S. Army Generations: Master Sergeant Bradly Irish, Our speaker, Kiwanian and WWII Bronze Star Recipient Bob Vidgerhouse, and Governor and event M.C. Bob Cressy.
L to R: Bethesda Kiwanis President John Ratnavale, USAR Corp of Engineers MSG Bradly Irish, WWII Bronze Star Winner as a medic, Bob Vigderhouse, Governor Bob Cressy.
Veteran’s Day Tribute - Wreath presented by Bethesda Kiwanis Club.

 

Alexandria Kiwanis Club – Community Service Luncheon
L to R Lieutenant Governor Tony Gee, Division 20, Key Note Speaker Joe Thiesman, Star QB Washington Redskins and Restaurateur, M.C. & Host Alexandria Club President Stephen Blood, Capital District Governor Bob Cressy.
Governor's Official Visit to Divisions 20 and 10
First Lady Nancy Cressy and Governor Bob Cressy enjoy dinner at Governor Official Visit to Divisions 20 and 10, Arlington, VA, November 18th.
PG Jerry Pueller, PG Linwood Watson, Governor Bob Cressy and PG Warren Kane at Divisions 20 & 10 Governor’s Official Visit, Arlington, November 18th. PG Warren was Chairman of the event.
First Lady Nancy Cressy, Division 20 First Lady Jean Gee, wife of LG Tony Gee with Governor Bob Arlington, November 18.

Gov. Elect Art Riley, LG Tony Gee Division 20, Gov. Bob Cressy, and LG John Beere Division 10 at Division 10 & 20 Governor’s Official Visit, Arlington, November 18th.
Gov. Elect Art Riley and Vickie with First Lady Nancy and Gov. Bob Cressy at Division 10 & 20 Governor’s Official Visit, Arlington November 18th.
Annual Thanksgiving Joint Meeting of Bethesda Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs
Kiwanis Vice President Sue Kirk, Rotary Vice President Walter Pennington and Kiwanis Governor Bob Cressy. Kenwood Country Club, Bethesda, MD - home for both service clubs on Nov. 21st.
Governor’s Official Visit to Division 8
Gov. Bob Cressy and South West Virginia Region District Trustee Jack White have “table talk” at the Governor’s Official Visit to Division 8 at Wise, VA – November 27th.

LG Jon Rife, Division 8, Abingdon, VA, Club President Bob Craig, Governor Bob Cressy and South West Virginia Region District Trustee Jack White meet as part of the Governor’s Official Visitation to the Tuesday noon meeting Club at the Historic Inn in the nicely restored town of Abingdon on November 28th.
Governor Bob Cressy receives a gift basket of provisions from Grundy Kiwanis Club President Bill Parish and LG Jon Rife of Division 8, South West Virginia Region at Governor’s Official Visit, November 27 & 28th.
Kiwanis Club of Waldorf at their 27th Annual Charter Night
Six New Members are added to the Kiwanis Club of Waldorf at their 27th Annual Charter Night Dinner and Installation at the Jaycee Center in Waldorf, MD. Pictured, left to right. are LG & Sponsor Bud Zimmerman, of new member Martha Redmond, PLG & Sponsor Mille Kriemelmeyer of new member Caroline Miller, Maggie Wyman sponsor of daughter Patty Wyman and new member Lizbeth Frazer-Fatig sponsored by less new member Patty Wyman. New members Bradley Snow and Dayna Wilhelm are not pictured. Welcome and Congratulations !