Veteran Chris Garner, of Amelia, was the first recipient of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 “Volunteer of the Month Award.”
The Air Force Veteran earned this recognition for his efforts in honoring our fallen warriors on Memorial Day of 2025.
Last Memorial Day, he approached members of DAV Chapter #63 after the rendering of miliary honors’ ceremony at the Lucy Run Cemetery. He had witnessed the precise rituals of the ceremony for several years.
However last year, Garner pointed out to Chapter #63 members that no one had placed American flags on the graves of our departed veterans. Initially he offered to locate all the veteran graves at the Lucy Run Cemetery, located off State Route 132.
Then he, and a few neighbors, would place American Flags on each grave for Memorial Day. The USAF veteran’s only request was to obtain a quantity of American Flags to accomplish the task.
“The DAV Chapter contacted the Clermont County Veteran Service Commission (VSC) and obtained enough flags to complete the job,” said Chapter #63 Commander James Stanzak. “I delivered the flags to Mr. Garner two weeks ago and presented him with an official DAV Commander’s Coin.
“I wanted to present him with something in appreciation of him stepping forward to honor our deceased veterans on Memorial Day,” continued Commander Stanzak. “The award symbolizes our appreciation of his actions.”
The DAV “Volunteer of the Month” Award will be issued by Chapter #63 (Clermont County) monthly and recipients do not have to belong to the DAV or be a veteran. “We will be recognizing individuals that perform a deed or task that helps disabled veterans,” said Stanzak.
“And by presenting them with an official DAV Commander’s Coin is the military way of saying, ‘Thank you for a Job Well Done’ “ concluded the Chapter #63 Commander.