MOUNT CARMEL - Walter A. "Revo" Berezovske was the veteran in whose honor the 420th Changing of the Colors flag ceremony was held July 24.
Berezovske, a World War II veteran, was born March 29, 1925, in Diamondtown, the son of Anthony and Anna (Matsko) Berezovske. He was a 1943 graduate of Mount Carmel Township High School.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army June 22, 1943, at Harrisburg and was honorably discharged as a technician fifth grade on Dec. 29, 1945, at Union B Separation Center 45, Indiantown Gap Military Reservation. He served in North Africa and Italy with Company C, 16th Armored Engineers, 1st Armored Division and the 60th Quartermaster Base Depot.
Berezovske received the following medals: Good Conduct Medal, Europe-Africa-Middle East Service Medal with two Bronze stars for the Naples-Foggia and Rome-Arno campaigns, World War II Victory Medal and World War Ii honorable discharge lapel button. He was a marksman with the M-1 rifle. Total service was two years, six months and eight days, with foreign service of two years, one month and five days.
On May 22, 1958, he was married by the Rev. Aloysius Bambir in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church to the former Miriam T.E. Sadusky, who survives.
Berezovske was employed by The News-Item and its predecessor newspaper, the Shamokin News-Dispatch, and the Jersey Journal in Jersey City, N.J. He also worked at Feifer's and then Lazarski's Catering.
He was a member of American Legion Post 91, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2110 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 129, and a was a former member of St. Michael's Orthodox Church and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, all of Mount Carmel. He was one of the founders of the New York Jets football team, serving as its first treasurer.
Berezovske died July 17, 2010, and is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Beaverdale. Besides his widow, he is survived by two sons, two daughters, nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter.
The flag that was flown for the past month was in honor and memory of Harold G, Morgan Sr., who served in the U.S Air Force during the Korean War era. "Taps" was played on the bugle by Vincent Giacomini when the Morgan flag was lowered. The flag was folded by William Begis, Anthony Candelora and Walter Summers and presented by Summers to Morgan's son, Michael.
The Berezovske flag was escorted to the ceremony by Summers and presented by Berezovske's wife, Miriam, for raising. The national anthem was played during the raising. Candelora lowered and raised both flags. David Berezovske, Walter's son, read the military records of both veterans. Mayor J. Kevin Jones led all in reciting the Lord's Prayer, and the ceremony ended with a silent salute to all veterans.
Charles Noskoviak carried the American flag to the ceremony. The rifle escort consisted of Andrew Bubnis and Frank Zaleski. Traffic control was provided by James Kealy. Also participating were John Hirsch, Ann Ray Begis and Teresa Clark. Summers thanked the members of the Morgan and Berezovske families for their attendance.
The next flag ceremony will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, when the flag will be raised in honor and memory of Anthony V. "Red" Miscavige, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II.