HONORING MILITARY SERVICE — The Village of Wintersville has used a grant from the JB Green Team to establish a bench honoring all military veterans along Main Street near the Wintersville McDonald’s. Members of the Vietnam Veterans Support Group joined village officials for a dedication of the bench. Taking part were, from left, front, Phil Sadler; Bob Coppa; and Martin Dalton, the group’s recording secretary; middle: Village Administrator Jesse Kosegi; Frank Featner, the group’s president; Jack Ernest, the group’s chaplain; Bob Schleicher; John Pappas; and Brooke Scott, Wintersville McDonald’s general manager; and back: Mayor Mike Petrella; Jay Page; Skip Jones; Councilman Carmen DeStefano; and Shawna Grimm, Wintersville McDonald’s supervisor. -- Warren Scott

WINTERSVILLE — Pedestrians stopping to rest or wait for a ride near the McDonald’s on Main Street will be reminded of the service and sacrifices of the nation’s many military veterans.

That’s because village officials have added a bench paying tribute to all servicemen and women and bearing the emblems of the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard.

Members of Vietnam Veterans Support Group Chapter 1 joined village officials in dedicating the bench and a matching trash receptacle.

Bob Coppa, a volunteer with the village and fellow veteran, said the group had expressed interest in sponsoring a bench in honor of all veterans but it seemed more fitting for the village to assume that role.

Mayor Mike Petrella said the bench and trash receptacle are among several funded by a grant awarded to the village by the JB Green Team.

The grant and sponsorships by local businesses and others have enabled the village to place 16 sets of benches and trash receptacles at various locations.

Coppa noted four of the benches can be found in areas often used by riders with the Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority.

He noted about 62 U.S. flags and more than 125 banners bearing the images of area veterans can be found along village streets.

The latter was an idea suggested by Coppa and Tom Straka and carried forth by them and members of the village’s beautification committee with support from Petrella and other village officials.

Veterans of various military branches in Vietnam Veterans Support Group Chapter 1 expressed appreciation for the gesture.

Frank Featner, the group’s president, said the group meets at 5 p.m. each Wednesday at the Jefferson County Tower at 500 Market St. and is open to all combat veterans.

Jack Ernest, the group’s chaplain, said its meetings have been attended by 15 to 24 veterans, including the younger veterans of Operation Desert Storm.

“A couple of veterans got together and started talking about issues we were dealing with and it kept growing,” Ernest said of the group, which was formed in 1988.

“So many of us who came from Vietnam, because of the way we were treated, went into reclusiveness,” he said.

Ernest added often only those who have experienced combat and other wartime experiences can relate to someone who has gone through the same thing.

“If we see a veteran we don’t know, we invite them to join us,” he said.

Coppa said the village’s benches are sponsored for two-year periods, after which they may be renewed or a new sponsor may be added.

Those interested in being a sponsor may call (740) 266-3175.