Legion post marks Memorial Day with solemnity
Hi Y’all, I hope all was safe during the Memorial Day Holiday.
It was an early start for some, not me, but some hardy souls gathered to place flags in the Carrabelle cemeteries of those who lost their lives while in the service. It was a humbling way to start Memorial Day. Then on to Apalachicola for their ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Plaza.
At 2:30 p.m., Camp Gordon Johnston American Legion Post 82, in Carrabelle/Lanark, began its ceremonies. Guest speaker was Major Robert Sharples, who was in four different branches of the United States military before he retired after 22-plus years. During his time in the service, he was awarded many accolades of excellence from the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marines, too many for me to name. He was a good speaker with passion. Within his delivery, he spoke of how important it is for the young people to realize what was sacrificed, young men and women fighting for a future they never got to live in.
After a prayer by veteran member Jimmy Akins, chaplain of the Legion. Richard Fravel played Taps on his trumpet to end the ceremony. The retirement of the flags ceremony, for old flags or some that had hit the ground, was started. The Legion received many flags this year to be honored in the ceremony. The new certified St. James-Lanark Fire Department stood by.
Later in the day, the Legion was closed for a special event that honored the many volunteers. A delicious meal, catered by Route 98 Diner, was served to the volunteers, and each was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation. Thank you, Legion, for this special night. It is a pleasure to be a part of this wonderful organization and the veterans.
Sadly, the holiday didn’t end well. Lanark’s favorite volunteer, Rodney James Kelly, passed away. He was only 64 years old and had lived in the Village for about 18 years. Rodney was on the list to receive a certificate, but was unable to be there. On Wednesday morning, we found out why. Many in Lanark have a broken heart over this loss. Our hearts and prayers go out to his Mom and Dad, Deanne and Millard Collins, and his family, and to the many people in Lanark who loved him. Rodney quickly became an icon of the Village. He made us all smile and laugh with his stories and witty comments. He made all holidays special for those around him, whether it was putting up many flags for different occasions, putting bows on our cars at Christmas, playing Easter bunny or Cupid on Valentine’s Day. He had a good heart, he was thoughtful, and caring. To know him was to love him. He volunteered for almost everything and handled it well, while keeping the Lanark Village Golf Course (Lanark Village front yard) beautiful for years. He had experience in many areas. Rodney has left a big hole in our hearts, and we will never forget him. Rest in peace, sweet man, one of my best friends!
I don’t have enough room to say all I could say. His obituary can be found at Family Funeral and Cremation Home in Crawfordville. A Celebration of Life will be announced later.
The Lanark Village Association Coffee Time will continue throughout the summer months, with those wanting to participate needing to take their turns opening. I understand they will have various volunteers. For now, our coffee man, John, will not be there. We will miss him and hope to see him back in the fall.
Bingo starts back Wednesday, June 4, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and games starting at 6:30 p.m.
The American Legion Post 82 on 2316 Oak Street will be having a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Saturday, June 7, starting at 5:30 p.m. A donation of $10 is appreciated; this will benefit Troy Smith, their local handyman and friend. Troy can’t work because he is recovering from emergency surgery. Let’s come together to help lighten this burden for Troy and Kendra. All are welcome at this event. Please come.
Love Lanark!
Pat Sewell Funderburk is the Times’ Lanark News columnist. Be sure to send news and society items about Lanark Village life to her at p.funderburk@yahoo.com.
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.