By Mark Johnson
The Massing of the Colors and performance by the Nature Coast Community Band (NCCB) was held on Oct. 27, 2024, at the Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church, Lecanto. The theme was Uncommon Valor, Citrus County Remembers the Greatest Generation. More than 900 people were in attendance.
The Withlacoochee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution led the parade of Flags as they entered the Sanctuary for posting, starting with the Grand Union Flag and followed by the American Flag and Chapter Flag. Additional veteran groups followed with their American Flags and Unit Flags. All were posted along with the Secretary of the Army Civilian Aide Command Flag.
Dr. Peter M. Tan (Col., Retired) and Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army awarded Lewis Unterman (Seaman 3rd Class, Retired) the World War II Service Medal. Veteran Unterman was born Nov. 7, 1925, in New York, NY. He served from Sept. 1944 to June 1946. After his initial training at a fire control school in San Diego, he was shipped to the Philippines and eventually onto the U.S.S. Rocky Mount.
The NCCB orchestra played the Star-Spangled Banner, with a vocal solo by Drema Leonard-Alan, followed by other patriotic pieces directed by Kathy Thompson of the NCCB.