At 11:30 am, Gunnery Sgt. Mario Monico called/ordered everybody “to
attention” in his usual “quiet” manner and after a minute or two of
silence Father Michael Hanly began the service. The procession began
with Gunny bringing in a memorial urn with Pete’s ashes. He placed it
on the honor table in front of his pictures and folded flag. He then
gave a salute did an about face and retired to the back of the room.
Next came the two Marines in “dress blues’ from Company “G” 25th
Marines of Picatinny Arsenal, one a sargent and the other a gunnery
sargent. They took the folded flag next to Pete’s pictures and
methodically unfolded and refolded the flag with precision. When
finished the Marine Corps League’s Slattery Detachment Commandant, Wm.
Freeman, placed an Eagle Globe and Anchor tribute in the fold of the
flag and saluted. Next, the Hanover Township Police Chief, Michael
Loock, placed his tribute to Pete, next to the EGA and stepped back
and presented a salute. The flag was then presented to Pete’s wife of
71 years, Marie with the appropriate wordage by the gunnery sargent.
~ Continued on next page ~
