MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee held its 418th Changing of the Colors flag ceremony on Sunday, May 22, in honor and memory of a veteran of the Civil War.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of a war which divided the nation, where brother fought against brother. During those bloody four years, more than 618,000 soldiers, sailors and Marines died, more than any other war in this country's history.
Pvt. Daniel Fessler
Daniel Fessler was born on Sept. 24, 1827. While residing in Schuylkill County and working as a farmer, he was mustered into service on Nov. 3, 1862, at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, as a private with Company I, 151st Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. On July 1, 1863, he was wounded during the first day of the battle of Gettysburg. During the 151st nine-month enlistment, Gettysburg was its only major engagement and the regiment had a 75 percent casualty rate of killed, wounded or missing. Fessler was mustered out with Company on July 27, 1863, at Harrisburg.
Following the war, he moved to Mount Carmel. At the time of his death on May 5, 1898, Fessler resided on West Fourth Street. He was survived by his wife Catharine and children. He was a member of Burnside Post No. 92, Grand Army of the Republic and is buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Mount Carmel Township.
In honor of Parella
The flag that was flown for the past month was in honor and memory of Anthony J. Parella who served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
"Taps" was played on the bugle by Civil War re-enactor Edward Thomas when the Parella flag was lowered. The flag was folded by William Begis and Vincent Giacomini and presented to Frances Stutzman by Walter Summers.
The Fessler flag was escorted to the ceremony by Summers and presented by Anthony Rossi for raising. The national anthem was played on the violin by nine year old Chase Petro of Numidia during the raising. Anthony Candelora lowered and raised both flags. David Berezovske read the military records of both veterans. The ceremony ended with a silent salute to all veterans and Petro playing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Charles Noskoviak carried the American flag to the ceremony and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2110 flag was carried by Thomas Shimko. The rifle escort consisted of Ronald Halcovich and Dennis Koprowski. Traffic control was provided by James Kealy. Also participating was Ann Ray Begis, president of the Joint Veterans. Summers thanked all those in attendance.
Participating in the ceremony were re-enactors of the 149th Bucktails Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The unit was under the command of Bruce Petro, and Brad Dodson carried the regimental colors. Other members of the unit were Heather Dodson, Jarrod Dodson, Gary Reigle I and Gary Reigle II.
The next flag ceremony will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 19, when the flag will be raised in honor and memory of Harold G. Morgan Sr., who served in the U.S. Air Force during Korean War.