Our dear friend and news colleague Lynn Crothers DuPratt had the honor of planting the first wreath of Wreaths Across America at Lancaster Cemetery. Lynn dedicated the wreath in honor of our beloved, recently deceased Managing Editor and Antelope Valley Press sage and columnist Vern Lawson Sr.
Lancaster Cemetery is our Arlington where our veteran brothers and sisters take their rest. Vern was a WWII veteran, died Oct. 19 at age 96. He trained as B-24 Liberator air crew, flight engineer. He was spared shipment out of U.S. by the atomic bomb and observed VJ Day in Denver, saying “I was kissed by every pretty girl in sight. It was wonderful.”
Vern raised a family, lived honorably and was still writing his column until just before his health failed. Salute to Vern, and profound gratitude to Lynn and Cemetery Manager Dayle DeBry for nominating Vern for the honor, nearly 80 years of service to America.
t was a beautiful ceremony today, with plenty of support from City of Lancaster and volunteers from Lockheed Martin who prepared hundreds of Veterans gravesites for their holiday wreaths in remembrance of their service.
Valley Press friends on site: Allison Gatlin Claudia of Andrew Clark, Jim Skeen, Kim Cullen Rawley, Clavito LC, Evelyn Kristo, Lynn Crothers DuPratt. A mini reunion, more to come.
Jin Hur with Uno Hur and family and Juan Blanco & Atherine Blanco of Coffee4Vets were on hand along with Dave Corbin, Phillip Waln, Brent Waln and American Legion Riders 311 were on hand as well as Chris Chandler, Alfredo Paniagua and Marine Corps League Detachment 930. Philip Roberts and Mako, and Dean Brown of AV Veterans Community Action Coalition were there, with Christine Ward from Rep. Mike Garcia, Brandon Roque from Sen. Scott Thomas Wilk Representative from Tom Lackey and Lancaster City Council members Raj Malhi and Ken Mann. Helping Dayle was Karla Archuleta.