Weirton remembers those who died
SPEAKER — Army Reserve Lt. Col. Roy Ramey Jr. encouraged everyone to honor the lives of service members who died for their country by applying their talents and skills to making America a better place at a Memorial Day service Monday at the Weirton Steel Honor Roll veterans monument near Three Springs Drive. -- Warren Scott
FOR THE FALLEN — Top, Members of American Legion Riders Posts 3 and 52 of Moundsville and Bellaire were among state and local leaders and members of the organization who gathered at the Weirton Steel Honor Roll veterans monument Monday to recognize the sacrifice of American servicemen and women who lost their lives while serving their country. -- Warren Scott
SPEAKER — Army Reserve Lt. Col. Roy Ramey Jr. encouraged everyone to honor the lives of service members who died for their country by applying their talents and skills to making America a better place at a Memorial Day service Monday at the Weirton Steel Honor Roll veterans monument near Three Springs Drive. -- Warren Scott
FOR THE FALLEN — Top, Members of American Legion Riders Posts 3 and 52 of Moundsville and Bellaire were among state and local leaders and members of the organization who gathered at the Weirton Steel Honor Roll veterans monument Monday to recognize the sacrifice of American servicemen and women who lost their lives while serving their country. -- Warren Scott
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WEIRTON -- Citing concerns about spread of the coronavirus, Mayor Harold Miller said he wasn't sure how many to expect at a joint Memorial Day service held Monday at the Weirton Steel Honor Roll veterans monument.
"But I said I will be there if I'm the only one. I owe it to these guys," said Miller, pointing to the monument behind him and the numerous names of local residents who served, including many who were killed in action, missing in action or prisoners of war.
Miller joined representatives of the American Legion, including members of Weirton Post 10 and Follansbee Post 45, and visiting state and district officials who gathered for an outdoor service coordinated by Jack Newbrough, Gordon Greer and others.
He brought attention to four area natives who died while serving in Vietnam: Marine Lance Cpl. Thomas J. Brooks, who was 19; Army Specialist Michael W. Campos, who was 22; Army Sgt. John D. Olenick, who was 23; and Army Private 1st Class Paul L. Salerno, who was 21.
Had they returned, Miller wondered aloud, "I wonder what contributions they would have made."
State Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Wellsburg, and Army Reserve Lt. Col. Roy Ramey Jr. reflected on that sentiment.
Weld said, "It's incumbent upon us to pick up the slack for those who died for their country. All of us have special talent or unique skill we should employ to make our state and country a better place."
An 26-year Army veteran who served a tour of duty in Iraq, Ramey said his mother was pregnant with him when his father was deployed to Vietnam, where he was killed on a reconnaissance mission.
But his stepfather, also a Vietnam War veteran,"taught me to remember those who lost their lives, those who made the ultimate sacrifice."
Ramey said the many servicemen and women who died serving their country were of various races, came from many backgrounds and held diverse political views but all should be honored.
"We must honor them by living our lives to the fullest," he said, adding, "They gave their lives for our freedoms. Don't let it be in vain."
Local veteran and master of ceremonies Jack Newbrough said he, Greer and others felt, COVID-19 concerns aside, that Memorial Day shouldn't come and go without fallen veterans being recognized in a formal way so they worked with local post commanders, including Tom Mirabella, and other American Legion officials to present the short program held Monday.
Among many supporting the effort were motorcyclists in American Legion Riders Posts 3 and 52 of Moundsville and Bellaire, the Weirton Post 10 Honor Guard, who delivered a military salute; the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad and Victoria Perito, who performed the national anthem.