Photograph by Ted Hayes

ELKTON — It was a cold day but the sentiments were warm, even emotional. As a light rain fell outside the Monger Shelter in Elkton’s Stonewall Memorial Park, the Veterans Day ceremony, arranged by Haze Crider and the Elkton Neighborhood Watch, honored all American veterans, and in particular fallen Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan Chrobot, whose wife Amber, mother Kennella “Kandy” Johns of Harrisonburg, and other family members were present.

Vice Mayor and U.S. Army veteran Lee Dearing led the solemn ceremony, which began with a prayer by Pastor Jim Kite, a singing of the National Anthem by Cynthia James and a short talk by Mayor Larry Bompiani.

Bompiani recalled the movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” in which an angel took discouraged businessman George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart) back through his life to show him what a difference his life had made.

“Your lives, as veterans, has made a difference,” Bompiani said. “We thank God for your service.”

Kennth “Bucky” Monger played “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “America the Beautiful” on the auto harp. Dearing presented flowers to Chrobot’s mother and wife seated behind the podium and then spoke.

“For two years during the Vietnam War, I escorted bodies home,” he began.

“I did it 47 times, and I never felt I had enough, or the right, words to say to families,&r...

ELKTON — The town council meeting Monday night had several highlights, including a good review of last year’s budget by the town auditor and a strong report of activity by the town’s new Chief of Police Kevin Whitfield.

Auditor David Black of the Harrisonburg firm Young,...[MORE]

Tough Decision Looms For SHS Students, Parents
By Ted Hayes

To stay or not to stay, that is the question for several hundred Spotswood High School juniors, who have a choice of staying at Spotswood for their senior year or relocating to the new East Rockingham High School near Elkton.

About 80 of those still deliberating students showed up at a me...[MORE]