Chicora honors veterans with bell from local family
CHICORA — There are many ways to show appreciation to those who gave their lives for our freedom.
For the McNallen family of Chicora, they decided to donate a bell to the Chicora American Legion Post 642 on Monday following Chicora’s annual Memorial Day parade.
"We just wanted to do something for Chicora," Melissa McNallen said. "Chicora has always been there for us. The bell is just our kind of way to give back to our little town and honor our veterans as well. No matter where we might move to, this is always home."
There was 11 members of the McNallen family at the ceremony and the bell was used to punctuate the reading of names from the honor roll during the ceremony.
The bell will be a permanent part of future Memorial Day ceremonies.
“This gift is just too nice not to unwrap,” Fred Challihan, chaplain for Post 642 said. “The brass bell is 14 inches in diameter at the base, 18 inches high with a white rope hanging down from the clanger.”
The inscription on the bell reads ‘All gave some, and some gave all.’
Bellow the bell sits the names of the McNallen family who were in the service Callihan said, which will eventually be turned into a brass plaque.
“This is just a super gift,” Callihan added.
The bell will sit in Chicora’s service memorial area on Main Street.
Mike McNallen was honored as legion member of the year during the ceremony that followed the parade, but Mike was unable to make it to the event as he stayed home to tend to his large family.
The award was accepted on his Mike’s behalf by his youngest sister, Melissa McNallen.
"I just wish he could have been here," Melissa said. "This is always going to be home to our family. Mike is just so proud to be from Chicora. This is just a honor."
“His home is under siege,” Callihan said jokingly on Mike’s absence. “He has four children and and six grandchildren at home. Our prayer will be that he survives.
"Everyone likes Mike. He's one of those guys with a lot of character. I could talk all day about him."
The event’s guest speaker was John Cyprian, former director of Butler County veterans services.
He spoke on many topics such as symbolism and the American flag.
“We have to remember those sacrifices,” Cyprian said. “The greatest honor is remembering their life.”
The parade began at 10 a.m. lead by the Post 642 members who marched down Main Street.
Karns City High School marching band performed during the parade, and again during the ceremony as it played “God Bless America”.
Antique vehicles and cars packed the streets as well, along with local firetrucks from East Butler, Unionville and Parker as they tossed candy to children.
“This is a great community, and you should just really hang on to it,” Jim Lewis, pastor at Chicora United Methodist Church said. “This is what makes America America. Small communities, small towns with love that’s behind these communities.”
