Chaplain Dennis Weaver of Ira E. Lady American Legion Post 262 has been named the 2025 Chaplain of the Year by the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania.
Weaver received the prestigious award during the Legion’s 105th Annual Convention, held July 17 at the Hilton Hotel in Harrisburg.
“I never thought something like this would happen to me,” said Weaver. “It was a very nice ceremony last night. I was very impressed.”
A long-serving member of the Biglerville Honor Guard, Weaver has volunteered for 22 years, including the past 12 as its chaplain. In his role, he offers invocations and benedictions at meetings and provides prayers at Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances, funerals, memorial services, member installations, and flag retirement ceremonies.
Weaver also shared a lighthearted story from his chaplaincy: when a couple once asked him to marry them, he responded, “Well, you wouldn’t be married in the eyes of God.”
As the Honor Guard’s membership ages, Weaver encourages local veterans—and eligible members of the Sons of the American Legion—to consider joining. “Most of our members are veterans,” he said. “We’d love to have more folks involved.”
For more information about joining the Honor Guard, interested individuals can contact Vernon Stine of Biglerville at 717-416-1003 or 717-805-2622, or Ernie Clevenger of Gettysburg at 717-334-4167 or 240-273-8608.
Congratulations to Chaplain Weaver for this well-deserved honor, and thank you for your dedicated service.
Amy Thomas, Contributing Editor, is responsible for community outreach, including our social media presence. She, her husband, and her two children reside in Adams County. Amy also works in occupational therapy and volunteers with local organizations.
What a great honor for my cousin. He served his country and continues to serve. What a blessing he has been to many. Love his soft spoken voice and great sense of humor.