Unit presents Blue Star Banner to Herons

Antietam Unit 236, Sharpsburg American Legion Auxiliary Unit Chaplain Darlene Hoffman and President Ava Gift visited the home of Sharpsburg residents Carl and Melanie Heron on Friday, Dec. 7 to present them with a Blue Star Service Banner.

The banner has two blue stars, since the Herons have two children living at home and serving in the military.

Daughter Sabrina, a 2006 graduate of Boonsboro High, is a 2nd lieutenant with the 351st Ordinance Co., W.Va. Army Reserves, located in Martinsburg.


Son Matt, a 2009 graduate of Boonsboro High, is a SPC specialist with the 443rd Maryland Army Reserves, Military Police, located at Owings Mills, Md. He recently returned after being deployed to Afghanistan.

Another son, Chris, a 1996 graduate of Poolesville High, is a staff sgt. with the 101st Airborne stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

In 2003, while with the 3rd Infantry, Fort Steward, Georgia, Chris was deployed to Iraq and deployed again in 2005 with the 3rd Armored Calvary, Fort Carson, Colorado. He now resides in Clarksville, Tenn.

Sabrina joined the military because of the examples of her mother and older brother.  Her mother, Melanie, served six years in the U.S. Army. Melanie said that the expression “your mother wears combat boots” really was true for her children.



Legion Auxiliary hosts senior citizen dinner

Antietam Unit 236, American Legion Auxiliary, hosted the annual Sharpsburg Senior Citizens Christmas dinner Dec. 9 at the Potomac Valley Fire Hall in Dargan.

Guests enjoyed a ham and turkey dinner with all the trimmings, received homemade table favors, a gift and an orange. Unit Chaplain Darlene Hoffman offered grace. Master of ceremonies, Legionnaire Pete Waters, entertained guests with jokes and stories.

Veterans were recognized and applauded for their service. The oldest senior attending was 93-year-old Amelia “Pansie” Davis. One-armed guitar player, the Rev. Kenny Johnson, and banjo player Dennis McKinney provided music and singing.


Dogs and cats welcome at Christmas Eve service

The Mount Vernon Reformed United Church of Christ of Keedysville invites family, friends, neighbors and pets for a special Christmas Eve service Monday, Dec. 24.

Church doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the service begins at 5 p.m. Animals have a special place in the celebration of Christmas and many Christmas plays and outdoor nativity scenes showcase animals such as donkeys, camels, sheep, oxen and goats.

Pets must be on a leash or in a pet carrier and under complete control. Each dog and cat will receive an animal goody bag and a holiday scarf to celebrate the season.

Light refreshments will be served immediately following the service. For more information contact the Rev. Delancy Catlett, pastor, at 717-977-4232.


Schildt to preach Christmas Eve

The Rev. John W. Schildt will conduct Christmas Eve services at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, Route 67, Keedysville, at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24, and Bethel United Methodist Church, Rohrersville, at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24.


Antietam Church to hold Christmas Eve service