Looking Back on the November 11th 2022 Harmonizer Sing at Veterans Day Event

 Looking Back on the November 11^th 2022 Harmonizer Sing at Veterans Day Event

 

An ensemble of the Harmonizer chorus sang on Friday, Nov. 11^th at the Veterans’ Day event in Del Ray area of Alexandria.

 

The event was at the Mount Vernon Rec Center on Commonwealth Ave. and the singers assembled at 12:15 for the 1 pm program.  Singers wore suits and ties; Bob Blair and Craig Kujawa wore their military uniforms.

 

Artistic Director Joe Cerutti directed. Dean Rust coordinated this community service activity for the Harmonizers.  Assistant Director Terry Reynolds and Craig Kujawa handled the announcing duties.  General Manager Susan Fitzpatrick attended and took pictures.  It was a proud moment when all veterans were recognized, and eleven of the sixteen Harmonizers present stood up.

 

The Harmonizers sang the National Anthem as well as “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” the “Armed Forces Medley,”  “I’ll Be Seeing You,” and closed with “God Bless America” with event participants joining in.

 

This is an annual event co-sponsored by the Alexandria Recreation Department and the Friends of Rocky Versace.  Rocky Versace was from Alexandria and received the Medal of Honor posthumously for heroism during the Viet Nam war. The “Friends” group established a Memorial outside the Rec Center to honor Versace and 67 other Alexandrians who lost their lives fighting in Viet Nam.  Mayor Justin Wilson attended as did former Mayor and Harmonizer fan Allison Silberberg.  About 100 people were present including a contingent of girl scouts from a local parish who handed out programs and led the Pledge of Alliance.

 

Of special note, there was a 100-year-old WWII veteran in attendance, thanks to the efforts of Carl and Kathy Kauffmann.  Captain Edward L “Ted” Cochran was one of Carl’s at-sea commanders during his service in the Navy.  Captain Cochran – a 1944 graduate of the Naval Academy - retired in 1974 after service dating from WWII to Vietnam. 

 

Until next time – editorjack! 

 

(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record for the great things going on each week during the 74^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)