Community Media of South Central PA Celebrating Community
One Hundred Fifty-Seventh Gettysburg Memorial Day Observance – Monday, May 27, 2024
AT THE ROSTRUM IN The National Cemetery
3:00 P.M.
Keynote Speaker MAJOR GENERAL DAVID C. HILL
Major General David C. Hill serves as the 53rd Commandant
of the U.S. Army War College. His operational assignments
include Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation
Joint Endeavor, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Major General
Hill holds two Master of Science degrees. He received his
commission in 1990 from the United States Military Academy
at West Point, New York.
Major General Hill’s awards and decorations include three
Distinguished Service Medals, three Legion of Merit Medals,
three Bronze Star Medals, six Meritorious Service Medals, the
Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Army Commendation
Medals, six Army Achievement Medals, the Master Parachutist
Badge, the Air Assault Badge and Army Staff Identification
Badge.
Honored Guest CAPTAIN JUSTIN R. HODGES Commanding Officer, USS GETTYSBURG (CG 64)
National Moment of Remembrance……………………Barry C. Decker, Chairman G.J.V.M.D.C
Strewing of Flowers………………………………………Children from Gettysburg Area School District (GASD) Elementary Schools
Opening Remarks………………………………………………Barry C. Decker, Chairman G.J.V.M.D.C.
Welcome and Introduction Master of Ceremonies……………..Rita Frealing Mayor of Gettysburg
Master of Ceremonies…………………………..PA State Representative Daniel Moul
Presentation of Colors……………………………………..USS Gettysburg Color Guard
National Anthem “The Star Spangled Banner”…Gettysburg Area High School
Opening Prayer……………………………………… Rev. Dale E. Williams, USN (Ret.)
“Battle Hymn of the Republic”………………………….Wayne D. Hill, Baritone Vocalist
The Gettysburg Address …………………………President Lincoln (James Hayney)
Keynote Speaker……………………………………………..Major General David C. Hill
“Armed Forces Medley”…………………………………….Gettysburg Area High School
Reading list of presenters of wreaths…….PA State Representative Daniel Moul
Artillery Salute……………………………………………………PA Army National Guard
Twenty One Gun Salute….Adams County Allied Veterans Council Honor Guard
“Taps”……………………………………………………………………………….Mitch Mummert American Legion Post 202
“American Anthem”…………………………………..Wayne D. Hill, Baritone Vocalist
Closing Prayer ………………………………………..Rev. Dale E. Williams, USN (Ret.)
GETTYSBURG JOINT VETERANS
MEMORIAL DAY COMMISSION
Chairman……………………………………………………………….. Barry C. Decker
Vice Chairman / Treasurer ………………………………………….William Hewitt
Parade Marshal / Secretary …………………………………………….. Gail Serfass
Recorder…………………………………………………………………Eleanor Cringire
Contributing Organizations
American Legion Post 202
Commander Kenneth Wetzel
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 15
Commander Gary Ryan
Marine Corps League Battlefield Detachment 705
Commandant Diana Henry
Gettysburg Camp 112, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Commander Dr. Stephen Law
Adams County Veteran Affairs
Stan Clark
Major Donors
Gettysburg Nature Alliance
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg Travel Council
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Significant Donors
Adams Electric Coop
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg Past and Present
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Nancy MacMeekin
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Ted Hirt
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
C.S. Davidson, Inc.
York, Pennsylvania
Grand Marshals
LAURENCE (LARRY) ALTOFF
Larry Altoff graduated from Delone Catholic High School in 1964. He joined
the Marine Corp in October 1965. He was assigned to A Co. 1st Marine
Battalion 1st Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division and sent to Vietnam.
Later he started his career in Railroading, working for Short Line and Class 1
railroads. In October of 1991 he married his wife Kathy. He belongs
to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 15, American Legion 321, 40 &
8, the Marine Corps Detachment of Gettysburg, the VVA, and CWV of
Bonneauville. He has served as Commander of VFW Post 6954, and
American Legion 321, and Commander of Adams Co. Allied Veterans
Council. He also serves on the Adams Co. and Hanover Honor Guards.
KATHLEEN (KATHY) ALTOFF
Kathy (Gebhart) Altoff graduated from Littlestown Senior High School, and
started her career with the Federal Government, working at the Mechanicsburg
Navy Depot retiring in 2013. She joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Auxiliary in 1982, serving in various official positions as Guard, Conductor,
Treasurer, SR Vice President and then Auxiliary President for 9 yrs at the local
level. She currently holds the position of District 21 Auxiliary President.
She is also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary 321 and Fraternal
Order of Eagles Auxiliary 2226.
