The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1267169
A-6 Wednesday, July 8, 2020 The Press-Dispatch The annual Fourth of July service for Petersburg Holi- ness Church is a recognition of deceased and living U.S. military veterans. This past Sunday, Reverend Chad Searls recognized 16 departed Veter- ans and five living during cer- emonies that concluded with the singing of several patriotic songs and the playing of taps. The following deceased vet- erans were recognized during the program and were repre- sented by family and friends. Robert "Bob" Bateman served in W WII on D Day as an aide to General Patton (Loyace La- mar). Arnold Bauer, served during the Korean War in Ja- pan ( Jan Hamm); Charles Chanley (Melody Steward); John Gentry Sr., W WII and Korea, Johnny Gentry Jr.; Carl Gray served in W WII, mem- ber of Petersburg Holiness Church. Thomas Paul Jones "Cotton" was killed by a Japa- nese sniper on September 17, 1944 in the Pacific Theater of Operations on the third day of the Peleliu Assault on Pele- liu Island. He is buried at Sun- set Cemetery in Winslow. He served as a corporal with the First Marine Division, Compa- ny L, Third Battalion as a ma- chine gunner. He was born to Elza and Pallie Jones on May 2, 1922 in Oakland City. He graduated from Winslow High School and trained at Camp El- liot in San Diego, Calif. where he was promoted to Private. One year before he died be began a diary describing the "Life history of my days as a Marine and most of all my love for Laura May for whom my heart is completely filled. This is my last life request that my diary is given to Laura May." "Cotton" had two sisters and three brothers. Mildred Em- ily Jones Hunt (Nov. 30, 1912 to May 26, 1972) (Tom Hunt). Reverend Lloyd Lamar served in W WII in the Pacif- ic Theater (Anita Lamar); Ter- ryl Martin (PPHC) served in W WII and survived as a Ger- man POW (Aunt Kate); The- odor "Ted" Pancake served in the U.S. Navy in W WII ( Vicky Lamar); Clarence Pick- ett served in W WII against the Japanese (PHC) (Rev. Greg Pickett); Randy Pick- ett (Greg Pickett); Homer D. Searls served in the Nation- al Guard as a Military Police- man (MP) ( Josiah Searls); Lynn Theroff served in W WII (PHC); Ed Trella served in the U.S. Army as a specialist 4 (Nicholas and David Grel- la). Anthony Michael Capo- zella was a U.S. Army com- bat veteran of the invasions of North A frica, Sicily and It- aly during W WII. His father came to America from Flor- ence Italy. His wife's brother, Wilbur "Web" Martin, was a tank commander and met An- thony in Italy during the war. ( James Capozella) Deceased veterans remembered at Petersburg Holiness Church During the annual Fourth of July salute to deceased veterans at the Petersburg Holiness Church this past Sunday, members were presented with flowers by Valerie Searls. Reverend Chad Searls read the role and short history of 16 veterans represented by those pictured, left to right: Melody Steward, Vicky Lamar, Loyace La- mar, Janice Hamm, Tom Hunt, Anita Postin, Reverend Greg Pickett, Josiah Searls, Nickolas and David Trella and Valerie Searls. James Capozella photo Petersburg Holiness Church honored their living and deceased veteran members during their Fourth of July Sunday services. Short histories of 16 deceased veterans were presented by relatives and friends with Rever- end Chad Searls and Reverend Greg Pickett presiding. Veterans recognized for their service were: Robert Sum- merlot, Bob Steward, James Capozella, Bill Gendren and Rev. Greg Pickett.