MOUNT CARMEL - On May 30, 1993, the Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee raised its first flag over the monuments of the Susquehanna Bank lot at Second and Oak streets in honor and memory of the late Phillip Albert Cimino, who served as a specialist 5 in the U.S. Army.
On Dec. 18, the committee raised its 425th flag in honor and memory of a family for its service.
Lester Marvin Clark Jr. was born May 18, 1925, in Robinson, Minn. He enlisted in the Army on Aug. 15, 1941, and retired from military service as a first sergeant on Jan. 31, 1964. Total service to the country was 21 years, 9 months and 11 days, more than half of that time was served overseas.
Clark was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. A Pearl Harbor survivor, he was stationed at Hickam Field on that "Day of Infamy." He received the following medals: American Defense Service Medal with metal clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze battle stars for the Central Pacific, New Guinea and Southern Philippines campaigns; two bronze arrowheads for initial attacks in the New Guinea and Southern Philippines campaigns, Philippine Liberation Medal with two stars, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp, senior parachutist badge, sharpshooter badge, commendation ribbon with metal pendant, Good Conduct Medal with seven bars, Code of Conduct medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, pre-Pearl Harbor Medal with star, Korean Service Medal with five stars, United Nations service ribbon, presidential unit citation with two oak leaf clusters, Korean Unit Presidential Citation, combat infantry badge with star and All American 82nd Airborne Division badge.
Clark died March 14, 2008, and is buried at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
Richard A. Boyer was born June 19, 1951, in Centralia. He enlisted in the Air Force on March 2, 1971, and retired from military service as a senior master sergeant on March 31, 1977. Total service was 26 years and 29 days, of which foreign service was six years, one month and 10 days.
Boyer received the following medals: Air Force Commendation Medal with three devices, Meritorious Service Medal with one device, Air Force training ribbon, Air Force Overseas Short Term Ribbon with one device, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, National Defense Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with five devices, NCO Professional Military Educational Ribbon with two devices, small arms expert marksman ribbon, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two devices, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award and Air Force Good Conduct Medal with seven devices.
Boyer died Feb. 27, 2008, and is buried at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Teresa M. (Clover) Boyer Clark was born Jan. 25, 1930, in Locust Gap. The mother of Richard Boyer, she married Lester Clark on Dec. 17, 1971, at the Church of Our Lady, Mount Carmel. Following the deaths of her husband and son, she regularly attended the Changing of the Colors flag ceremony in memory of them and the veterans being honored.
She died Oct. 2, and is buried alongside her husband and son at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. She attended her last flag ceremony on Sept. 25.
The flag that was flown for the past month was in honor and memory of all fallen comrades. "Taps" was played as the flag was lowered by Anthony Candelora. It was folded by William Begis, Ann Ray Begis and Walter Summers.
The Clark/Boyer flag was escorted to the service by Connie Andrews. It was presented by Sandy Forbes, a friend of the family, to Summers for raising. Candelora raised the flag as the national anthem was played. David Berezovske read the military records of Clark and Boyer and the history of the fallen comrades. The ceremony ended with a silent salute to all veterans.
Charles Noskoviak carried the American flag to the ceremony, and the rifle escort was provided by William Begis and Candelora. James Kealy provided traffic control. Andrew Lukoskie also participated.
The next flag ceremony will be at 1 p.m. Sunday when the flag will be raised in honor and memory of brothers John, Joseph and Michael Yastishak, who served during World War II.