MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee held its 445th "Changing of the Colors" flag ceremony Aug. 18 at the Susquehanna Bank flag pole, in honor and memory of a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
Edward W. Dersavage was born in Scranton, Jan. 31, 1943, a son of the late Edward and Olga (Hordich) Dersavage. He was a graduate of Central Scranton High School and attended Lackawanna Junior College.
Dersavage enlisted in the Marine Corps Oct. 31, 1960, at Wilkes-Barre, and was honorably discharged as a corporal (E-4) Oct. 30, 1964 at Camp Lejeune, N.C. An ammunition technician, he received the Good Conduct Medal. Total service to his country was four years, of which foreign service totaled 1 year, 1 month, 28 days.
On July 27, 2001, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Dersavage married the former Theresa (Zosh) Yanonis, who survives.
He was employed as an electronics mechanic at Tobyhanna Army Depot, and was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish.
Dersavage died June 26, 2013, and is buried in All Saints Cemetery, Bear Gap. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a stepson and a sister.
The flag that was flown for the past month was in honor and memory of Bronze Star recipient Leonard E. Shuder Sr., who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Taps was played on bugle by Larry Latsko as the flag was lowered by Anthony Candelora. The flag was folded by William Begis, Ann Ray Begis and Candelora and was presented by Walt Summers to Shuder's great-granddaughter, Isabella Trujilo.
The Dersavage flag was escorted to the service by Connie Andrews. The flag was presented to Summers by Dersavage's wife, Theresa. Andrew Bubnis raised the flag as the national anthem was played. David Berezovske read the military records of both veterans. "God Bless America" was sung by all, and the ceremony ended with a silent salute to all veterans.
Summers thanked the families and friends of both veterans in attendance for their participation in the ceremony.
Charles Noskoviak carried the American flag. The rifle escort was provided by Norman Nye and Bubnis. James Kealy provided traffic control. Also participating was Andrew Lukoskie.
Susquehanna Bank was thanked for displaying Dersavage's name on its message board.
The next flag ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 22 at Second and Oak streets. The flag to be raised will be in honor and memory of Larissa Stanczyk-Voeckler who served in the U.S. Navy during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Area veterans and the public are invited to attend.
Following the ceremony, the Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee will meet and discuss activities for the Veterans Day holiday.