By Tim Lilley
The Message editor
St. John the Evangelist Parish in Daylight hosted a Boots Mass May 29 as part of its regularly scheduled 10 a.m. Mass. Pastor Father Chris Forler welcomed veterans George Brunner and Don Gillies, who placed a memorial display in front of the ambo before Mass. It included a pair of G.I. boots, a folded American flag and a small POW/MIA flag, and a set of dog tags.
Gilles, who spoke before Mass began, said the display replicated similar displays he and Brunner saw during ceremonies they participated in during their military service.
Gillies said, “Thank you for assisting us in remembering and honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Part of them is with us always. Let us not forget them and what they gave for us. When you see a flag, say a prayer. When you see a vet, say a prayer. When you see a cross, say a prayer.
“Please let the work know we care.”
Father Chris thanked Brunner and Gillies for their work to honor fallen veterans, telling those in attendance that all of us are able to celebrate and enjoy everything we have today because of the sacrifices made by U.S. service men and women across many theaters of conflict over more than a century.