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St. George’s Chapel holds Memorial Day ceremony

Guest speaker retired Col. Henry “Buzz” Buse III gives a tribute to the fallen. He spoke about the ultimate sacrifice made by Staff Sgt. Clifford Chester Simms, right, who dove onto a enemy grenade in Vietnam to protect his men. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
May 28, 2024

St. George’s Chapel in Harbeson held its annual Memorial Day service May 27 to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  

Guest speaker retired Col. Henry “Buzz” Buse III gave a tribute to the fallen. He spoke about Marine Pfc. Franklin Sousley who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima.

The attendees were told of Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, U.S. Navy, who was killed in a terrorist attack in 2019.

Buse recounted the service of Marine Lt. Travis Manion and Navy SEAL Lt. Brendan Looney, who were Naval Academy roommates and close friends.

He also spoke of Staff Sgt. Clifford Chester Simms, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for giving his life while protecting his men in Vietnam.

The congregation sang “My Country Tis of Thee,” heard a reading from the Book of Isaiah, then responsively read Psalm 91. A reading of the Gospel of John 17:20-26 was given.

Guitarist Mark Barbone played a solo of “Color Me America” before military prayers were read by the Rev. Shelley D. McDade.

Everyone closed the ceremony by singing “America the Beautiful” while organist Jon Rania accompanied.

 

Hugh Livingston Jr. gives a prelude called “Reflections on America.”
Mark Barbone performs “Color Me America.”
The Rev. Shelley D. McDade gives the blessing for the fallen.
Hugh Livingston Jr. speaks about “Reflections on America.”
The Rev. Shelley D. McDade reads military prayers. She’s assisted by Hugh Livingston Jr.
Marine Pfc. Franklin Sousley, a 19-year-old Kentucky farm boy, helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima Feb. 23, 1945. He was shot and killed by a sniper 26 days later. It was just three days before the island battle ended.
Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, U.S. Navy, was killed in a terrorist attack in 2019 in Syria. She left behind two young sons.
Marine Lt. Travis Manion, left, and Navy SEAL Lt. Brendan Looney were Naval Academy roommates and close friends. Manion was killed in Iraq in 2007, and Looney was lost in 2010 in Afghanistan. They are interred side by side in Arlington National Cemetery. They rest as brothers forever.
Guest speaker retired Col. Henry “Buzz” Buse III gave a tribute to Staff Sgt. Clifford Chester Simms, right, who dove onto an enemy grenade in Vietnam to protect his men.

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