Monday morning, dozens of people gathered at the Sealy American Legion Post 442 for the Memorial Day program hosted by the Legion and the Auxiliary Unit. Later in the afternoon, retired Colonel and longtime community leader Paul Dronka – who passed away Memorial Day, 2020 – was honored with a ceremony at the Columbus Hall.

During the outside portion of the Legion’s ceremony in the morning, the United States and Texas flags were posted at half-mast, a wreath was laid at the monument “In memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice in defense of their country in all wars,” and a 21-gun salute was performed before taps was played by Sealy High School students Matthew Mlcak and Pete Ribardo.

Inside the Legion Hall, Bellville High School and Texas A&M alumnus Jay Crutchfield delivered a speech where he explained his lengthy military resume – which included 200+ flight missions in F-4 Phantom II and F-14 Tomcat fighter jets and a 15-year stint as project/program manager for Navy and NASA – wasn’t to brag on himself but rather serve as an example that even the mediocre students in the small towns of Austin County are capable of great things just like him.

The Memorial Day ceremony ended with a candle-lighting ceremony for loved ones of Legion members who passed away in the last year including Billie Acock, Betty Mazac, Clarence Dittert, Robert Froebel, Gene Remmert and Dronka.

The Sealy American Legion was just one of the many community groups Dronka was part of after he moved to Sealy in 1995. After 25 years of service to the community, he passed away last Memorial Day, May 25, 2020, and his wife Lenore said at the time the family wanted to wait to host a proper celebration of life when more people could attend an indoor gathering.

“Paul was active in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Youth Ministry Program and ACTS Retreats,” the event’s program says. “He served as the past Grant Knight, Faithful Navigator and Financial Secretary of the Knights of Columbus. Paul was the Commander of Sealy’s American Legion Post. He was the past President and Treasurer of the Austin County Rotary Club International and liaison with the High School Interact Club. Paul served on the Board of Directors for the Sealy Fire Department’s retirement system. He was a Computer Programs Instructor at Blinn College and taught for the Austin County CERT Program. Paul also served as an Election Judge for Austin County.”

That was after 32 years of active duty in the U.S. Army where he retired with the rank of Colonel in 2001.

“His military assignments included several overseas tours and numerous command positions,” the program says. “Paul received numerous awards, honors and recognitions, including the Legion of Merit and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.”

Members of the groups Dronka was part of shared memories and stories of their time with him before an open-mic portion started where anyone who wanted could take the podium and share. Laughs were had, tears were shed and more memories were created before current Legion Commander Pete Berckenhoff presented Lenore with a United States flag and the Legion Honor Guard performed a 21-gun salute.