On Saterday November 3 2018 a Centennial Commemoration was held in Bremen, Ohio to remember the sacrifice of:

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• PVT George Dewey BIGHAM 

• PVT Emil Dean BLOSSER 

• SGT Willis Lewis BURNWORTH

• PVT John Franklin COEN 

• PVT Edward Ray MOYER 

• PVT Oscar Huston McVEIGH 

• PFC John Felix SCHMELZER 

• PVT Carrol Thomas TURNER 

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The commemoration organised by Mr Mike Henwood, Mayor of Bremen, OH started in the Bremen Bethel Presbyterian Church where descendants of these soldiers were gathered to attend the first part of the service. 

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The Color Party of the Ohio National Guard presented the flags of the 37th Division and the 145th Armored Regiment followed by the National Anthem. 

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Tributes were given by:

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• SFC Joshua Mann, historian of Ohio National Guard

• Mr. Joseph Woodrum, president of the 37th Division Veterans Association

• SGM Peter Stassen (ret. Belgian Army), adopter of the grave of Sgt Willis Burnworth

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A great great grand niece of Sgt Willis Burnworth, Megan Kessler, read the Flanders Field poem 

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The second part of the service took place at the Grandview Cemetery. A wreath was laid at each of the eight white crosses by:

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• Colonel Cory Lusk, Commander, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

• Luitenant Colonel Charles Buchanan Commander, 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment

• Command Sergeant Major Mickey Burress, CSM 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment

• Command Sergeant Major Jeff Schuster, CSM 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

• Mrs Carolyn Jo (Burnworth) Akrom, niece of Sgt Willis Burnworth and SGM Peter Stassen (ret. Belgian Army)

• Schmelzer family

• Mrs and Mr Henwood, Mayor of Bremen

• MCPO Colette Vanhoorneweder (ret. Belgian Navy) and Carrie (Burnworth) Kessler great grand niece of Sgt Willis Burnworth

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Members of the American Legion Oscar Mc Veigh, OH Post 20 fired volleys, followed by Taps and Amazing Grace performed by the Aladdin Shrine Pipes & Drums.

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At the end of the service at the Grandview Cemetery Command Sergeant Major Jeff Schuster, CSM 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team put a shoulder sleeve insignia of the 37th IBCT  on the cenotaph of Sgt Willis Burnworth and a group picture of the Burnworth family was taken.

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After the service everybody was invited to the Bremen Area Historical Society for a lunch offered by the Burnworth family.

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You can read a report of the service at the website of Defence Visual Information Distribution Service

 

Pictures: SFC Joshua Mann, ONG and Peter Stassen

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