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The Fayette County Record
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Published 7 months ago
Last updated 7 months ago
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Praha Veterans Ceremony a Reminder of the Price of Freedom

By News Staff
  • Fayette County Judge Dan Mueller said during his speech: “Since 1962 people have gathered here in Praha to remember ... these brave men believed freedom was worth dying for.”
    Fayette County Judge Dan Mueller said during his speech: “Since 1962 people have gathered here in Praha to remember ... these brave men believed freedom was worth dying for.”
  • Keynote speaker Army Veteran Captain Josh Homan of Flatonia said, “The community of Praha gave its future for our freedom ... teach the next generation that freedom requires service.”
    Keynote speaker Army Veteran Captain Josh Homan of Flatonia said, “The community of Praha gave its future for our freedom ... teach the next generation that freedom requires service.”
  • Andy Janda and Danny Vyvjala assist other veterans in a special folding of the flag during Sunday’s ceremony.
    Andy Janda and Danny Vyvjala assist other veterans in a special folding of the flag during Sunday’s ceremony.
  • The Schulenburg High School Band played a number of songs during Sunday’s ceremony.
    The Schulenburg High School Band played a number of songs during Sunday’s ceremony.
  • Students and teachers from St. Rose School recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang “America the Beautiful.”
    Students and teachers from St. Rose School recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang “America the Beautiful.”
  • Veterans and Knight of Columbus assembled before the program as St. Mary’s church in Praha towered behind them.
    Veterans and Knight of Columbus assembled before the program as St. Mary’s church in Praha towered behind them.
  • Sunday’s windy conditions made bringing in the flags a strenuous job.
    Sunday’s windy conditions made bringing in the flags a strenuous job.
  • Master of Ceremonies Bob Heinrich presided over Sunday’s solemn ceremony.
    Master of Ceremonies Bob Heinrich presided over Sunday’s solemn ceremony.
  • Dennis Stryk sang The National Anthem and “God Bless the USA.”
    Dennis Stryk sang The National Anthem and “God Bless the USA.”
  • A veterans stands at attention as the flag is brought in at the start of Sunday’s ceremony.
    A veterans stands at attention as the flag is brought in at the start of Sunday’s ceremony.
  • A firing squad shot off a triple volley salute during Sunday’s ceremony.
    A firing squad shot off a triple volley salute during Sunday’s ceremony.

The Praha All Veterans Club hosted its 63rd annual Veterans’ Day Memorial Service Sunday outside the cemetery at St. Mary’s Church. The event honors all veterans but makes special note of the nine men from Praha (Rudolf L. Barta, Robert J. Bohuslav, Anton Kresta Jr., Joseph Lev, Edward J. Marek, George D. Pavlicek, Adolph E. Rad, Jerry R. Vaculik and Eddie Sbrusch) who died in WWII. That made this small community in southern Fayette County one of the hardest hit by war deaths per capita in the entire nation. Below are images from Sunday’s event. Photos by Jeff Wick

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