On the first anniversary of Paul Dronka’s death, the Sealy American Legion Hall will host services honoring his life on Memorial Day, May 31.

The American Legion Hall will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. with the raising and lowering of the flag, gun salute, laying of the wreath and speakers, followed by free sandwiches. The Legion will light a candle for each Legion member who passed during the previous year, of which Dronka is one.

At 1 p.m., a memorial mass for Dronka will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sealy where anyone may attend. At 2:30 p.m., a Celebration of Life event will be hosted at the Columbus Club at 1310 Highway 90 with light refreshments.

The official program will begin at 3 p.m. where featured speakers from various organizations he belonged to will make remarks before an openmic time for family and friends. There will also be “Share a Memory” cards that anyone can fill out as well.

To close the services, a gun salute and Taps will be performed.

“Everyone who knew Paul and wants to celebrate his life is welcome to attend,” his wife Lenore said.

The Detroit, Mich. native settled in Sealy in 1995 when he was assigned as Commander at DCMC Stewart & Stevenson – then BAE systems. Dronka continued to work at the BAE facility in Tactical Vehicle Systems Contracts Management after his retirement from the army from 2002 to 2013.

In his post-military career, Dronka was an active member of many community groups including the Sealy Knights of Columbus Council 3313 where he served as Grand Knight, Sealy’s American Legion Post 442 where he was named Commander and the Rotary Club of Sealy where he was most recently the treasurer. He also served as a liaison to the Sealy High School Interact Club.

— From staff reports