Crowd braves the rain to lay wreaths at Mount Bethel on Saturday

A crowd of people withstood the rainy weather December 14, 2019, to pay homage to those who served the country in Columbia, PA.

John Hinkle Jr. welcomed volunteers and the Catholic War Vet Color Guard presented the American flag.

Sergeant 1st Class Karen Zercher (Army),1st Class Petty Officer Owen Brunner (Navy), Corporal Jeffrey Detz (Marine), Staff Sergeant Nicholas McCarty (Air Force), 3rd Class Petty Officer, Thomas J. McCarty (Coast Guard), and 2nd Engineer George Biagio (Merchant Marine) presented decorated wreaths for their branch of service. Sergeant Albert C. Storm Jr. (Army) presented a decorated wreath for POW/MIA veterans.

A resolution was made to honor of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Edmund J. Wickenheiser Jr.

Ending the ceremony a gun volley by Vet 21 and taps played by Frost Umble.

As rain continued to fall, families stayed to lay wreaths at the veterans’ graves. Over 600 veterans are laid to rest at Mount Bethel Cemetery and every single one of them received a wreath. People throughout the community made monetary contributions to make sure every veteran grave was decorated.

Friends of Mount Bethel Cemetery organized it, but it’s about all the people who volunteer and sponsor wreaths, to make it happen in Columbia.

Everyone who placed a wreath said the veteran’s name out loud so they are never forgotten.

Wreaths now lay inside Mount Bethel Cemetery.

[Photos and text submitted by Jane Moore]

 

About Town 12/16/19

This week's photos of Columbia

 Awww, he's so thirsty he had to drink from the creek.

That face looks familiar.

Could it be...?

Nah . . .

Or could it?!!!

 Santa's hiding back there.

 But next day, there he was, checking on wish lists.

 Yet another of the thousands of photos of the bridge

 New look for the chief's car

 Christmas bells

 Ring-a-ling

 NO PARKING 12/9/2019 - 2/9/2020

 Filling the hole at the bottom of Locust

 Packin' it down

 A spectator watches the action.

 Another truckload

 Bat in the belfry

 Patriotic Bobcat

 Creche at the Columbia Church of God

 In some places, Halloween's still hanging around.

 Christmas basket

 Spindly reindeer

 Line of stars at Lloyd Mifflin's house

 Speaking of Lloyd Mifflin, here's one of his landscapes, complete with atmospheric perspective.

Just kidding. It's a rubber bumper on one of the docks stored under the bridge at River Park.

 Construction is still going on at the LGH facility on North 7th.

 Note the changes in traffic patterns.

 Gone for good?

 In a row

 Paintball practice?

(From last week)

 That's one way to block the street.

 There it goes - the wrong way at the bridge plaza.

 It was heading towards Santa's encampment but then backed up again.

 Coupla guys out at the Civil War pier

 More progress at Floyd's of Leadville on Bridge Street

 Tracks in the snow

 Santa has the power to change the course of traffic.

 There's his encampment now at Rotary Park.

 Unfortunately, he doesn't have the power of correct spelling.

 Still hangin' around in Avenue G

 Mobile homes on the tracks - That means they really are mobile.

 Sidewalk dumpster

Foggy bridge

And at 11th & Locust last Tuesday there were many black vultures:

[Photos submitted by Robyn Waugh]

Bleed Blue Law Enforcement Blood Drive to be held January 13

The blood drive will be held January 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Columbia Borough Fire Department on Manor Street.