‘Honor, Hope and Healing’
Veterans stand in a receiving line during the “Honor, Hope and Healing” service at Covenant Life Fellowship in Washington, where they were honored with citations for their service.
John Semple, who was honorably discharged from the Marines with the rank of corporal on Nov. 15, 1945, is pictured with Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi, who was among the guest speakers at the “Honor, Hope and Healing” service at Covenant Life Fellowship in Washington.
Covenant Life Fellowship in Washington recently honored several veterans at the 10th annual “Honor, Hope and Healing” service.
Veterans who were honored included:
• Edsel Bryner, World War II, Merchant Marines;
• Spc. E4 Kelli George, Gulf War, Army;
• Sgt. Harry Harvison, Vietnam, Army;
• Spc. Anthony Madison – Gulf War, Army – killed in action.
• Cpl. John Semple, World War II, Marines.
Bryner was born Nov. 1, 1926, in Connellsville. He attended Washington High School, and in November 1944, he enlisted in the Merchant Marines.
He did his basic training at Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, N.Y. and was assigned to the SS John Erickson, a troop transport ship. He served as a mess man, baker and chief cook. He was sent for troop transports to LeHavre, France, and for ship supply to Morlaix, France. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
George was born on June 25, 1968, in Pittsburgh. She grew up in Finleyville and attended Ringgold High School. She enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1986 and was stationed in Fort Knox, Ky. She was active from 1986 to 1988, and was honorably discharged in 1988.
In 1989, she joined the 14th Quartermaster Detachment as a reservist and was deployed in 1991. She served as a unit supply specialist and water purification specialist during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
She survived an Iraqi SCUD missile attack on the troop’s temporary barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 25, 1991. During the attack, 28 soldiers died and 99 were wounded.
George received the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Purple Heart. She was hospitalized until May 1991, and then placed on disabled status. She left the reserves in 1994 after fulfilling an eight-year commitment.
Harvison, who was a veteran’s advocate and active in planning the veterans services at Covenant Life from their inception, died Jan. 16, 2015.
He joined the Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving two tours of duty.
Harvison was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 13, 1972.
Harvison was a past commander at American Legion Post 902 in Houston, and was a service officer at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 in Canonsburg. He helped develop a website for Washington County veterans because it was important to him that all veterans be remembered and treated with honor.
Madison was born Sept. 14, 1963. In 1983, he graduated from Monessen High School in 1983, where he played on the football team and dated the girl he later married, Leeann. The couple had two children, TaCarra, and Anthony Jr.
Madison joined the U.S. Army and finished a three-year enlistment. In 1990, he joined the reserves and trained to serve in the Persian Gulf War.
On Feb. 25, 1991, Madison and 12 other men and women from the Hempfield-based 14th Quartermaster Detachment were killed when an Iraqi SCUD missile decimated the warehouse that served as their temporary barracks in Dhahran, Saudia Arabia – six days after the water purification unit had arrived to support Operation Desert Storm.
In the single most devastating attack on U.S. forces during that war, the 14th Quartermaster Detachment suffered the largest number of casualties of any allied unit, with 13 soldiers killed and 43 wounded.
Semple was born July 1, 1923, in Morgantown, W.Va. He attended Westland School and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in April 1943. His training took place at Paris Island, S.C.
Semple was a high expert marksman who fought in the Pacific Campaign of World War II in the battles of Saipaan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. His unit was given the Presidential Unit Award for Saipaan and Iwo Jima, as well as the Navy Unit Award. He was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal on Nov. 15, 1945.
All veterans who attended the service went through the receiving line and were honored. The Pennsylvania Patriot Guard Riders and the Claysville Legion Riders, along with Civil Air Patrol Squadron 601 and Marine Corps Detachment 1138, also attended.
Speakers were state Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane Township, state Rep. Jason Ortitay, R-Cecil Township, and Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi. All handed out citations to the honorees.