Mount Carmel Changing of the Colors Ceremony
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share thisMOUNT CARMEL - The color guard and flag detail of Post 2110, Veterans of Foreign Wars, performed a changing of the colors June 21 on the lawn of the Susquehanna Bank, Second and Oak streets.
The new flag is flown in honor of a World War II veteran, Harry Dormer.
Dormer was born in Centralia on Oct. 17, 1922, a son of Michael and Eileen Dormer. He attended Centralia schools.
He entered the U.S. Army on Jan. 12, 1943 at New Cumberland. He served as technician 4th grade, in Battery C, 475th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion in the Philippine Islands as a heavy artillery mechanic.
He was discharged Jan. 16, 1946, at Unit A Separation Center, 45 Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, after serving his country for three years and nine days. He served two years, three months and nine days overseas. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the honorable discharge pin.
Before moving to Eagleville, Dormer resided at 404 S. Market St., Mount Carmel. He was married to the late Mary Sweet, and was employed at the Germanville Colliery, Alumno, and Boilers Engineers of Phoenixville. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, all of Mount Carmel. He died July 13, 1994, and is buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery.
The flag was escorted from the post home by Walter Summers, past commander and adjutant, and Dick Amerschek.
Traffic control was provided by David Berezovske, commander of the Sons of the Union unit.
Taps was sounded when the previously flown flag, honoring David Williams, was lowered. The flag was refolded by Summers and Amerschek. The national anthem was sounded when the Dormer flag was raised.
Williams was born in Schuylkill County on April 22, 1830. He was mustered into service during the Civil War on Feb. 22, 1864 at Camp Curtain, Harrisburg, as a private in Company D. 48th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Among the battles in which he participated was the Battle of the Crater during the siege of Pettersburg on July 30, 1864.
Following the war, he moved to Mount Carmel. He was employed as a miner until he sustained a hip injury while employed at the Reliance Colliery.
He died May 24, 1902 and is buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery. Among his descendents are Harry White Jr. and Mark Kline, both members of the James A. Garfield Camp No. 34, Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War.
Berezovske offered prayer and remembrance to all deceased fathers, who were veterans. He also read military records of both honorees. The color guard was comprised of Charles Noskoviak, American flag carrier, and rifle escort was provided by Joseph Matukaitis and Dick Amerschek.
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