Flag Raised In Mount Carmel In Honor WWII Veteran [News – Item, The (PA)]

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee held its 447th "Changing of the Colors" flag ceremony Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Susquehanna Bank flag pole in honor and memory of a WWII veteran.

Michael Molesevich was born March 12, 1927, in Marion Heights, a son of Naum and Matrona (Yazembiak) Molesevich. He attended Kulpmont schools and earned his high school diploma while serving in the military.

Molesevich entered the U.S. ArmyJune 29, 1945, at Harrisburg and was honorably discharged as a technician 5th grade on Dec. 8, 1946, at Separation Center, Fort George G. Meade, Md. An occupational counselor, he received the World War II Victory Medal, Honorable Discharge Lapel Button and the Meritorious Unit Award. He was a sharpshooter with the carbine and pistol and marksman second class gunner with the submachine gun. Total service to his country was one year, five months and 10 days.

On Sept. 9, 1950, in Holy Cross Church, Mount Carmel, he married the former Genevieve M. Lausas, who preceded him in death on Oct. 29, 2008.

Molesevich was employed at Reed's Dairy, Shamokin, and retired after 30 years as a salesman with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, the former Holy Cross Church, a life member of the American Hose and Chemical Fire Company, all of Mount Carmel, and a life member of American Legion Post 231, Kulpmont. He served on the Anthracite Firemen's Relief Association, Mount Carmel, was a jury commissioner for Northumberland County and belonged to the Spirit of '76 Hunting Camp in Potter County.

Molesevich died Feb. 8, 2013, and is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Mount Carmel Township. He is survived by four sons, three daughters, nine grandchildren, two great-granddaughters and a sister.

The flag that was flown for the past month was in honor and memory of Larissa Justina Stanczyk-Voeckler, who served in the U.S. Navy during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Taps was played on the bugle by Ann Ray Begis as the flag was lowered by William Begis. The flag was folded by James Kealy and Begis presented it to Stanczyk-Voeckler's husband, Jesse Voeckler.

The Molesevich flag was escorted to the service by Connie Andrews. The flag was presented by Molesevich's son, Dennis, to David Berezovske. William Begis raised the flag as all in attendance sang the national anthem. Berezovske read the military records of all veterans. The ceremony ended with a silent salute to all veterans. Begis thanked the families and friends of both veterans in attendance for their participation in the ceremony.

Charles Noskoviak carried the American flag. Kealy provided traffic control. Also participating in the ceremony was Norman Nye. The Susquehanna Bank was thanked for displaying Molesevich's name on its message board.

The next flag ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at Second and Oak streets when the flag will be raised in honor and memory of Charles Kent who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Area veterans and the public are invited to attend.