VETERANS REMEMBERED — State Sen. Laura Wakim-Chapman, R-Ohio, reflected on the sacrifices made by members of the military and the support given them by their families at a Veterans Day service held Tuesday by American Legion Post 45. -- Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — The sacrifices of the men and women who have served in the nation’s military and the support of their families was remembered at the Veterans Day service held Tuesday by Follansbee American Legion Post 45.

Leaders of the post also announced it will have a new base of operations thanks to the generosity of a local dentist.

As master of ceremonies for the service, Post 45 Vice Commander Keith Brown announced Dr. Michael Pippo, the post’s neighbor on Main Street, has offered to donate his office to the post following his retirement in December.

Brown said since the roof of the post’s headquarters collapsed in April, it has benefited from the generosity of various groups that have opened their own doors for its meetings and services.

That has included James Funeral Home, which served as the location for Tuesday’s program and this year’s Memorial Day service.

REMEMBERING THE MISSING — During the Follansbee American Legion’s Veterans Day service Tuesday, Delbert Campbell, a member of the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad, delivered a salute to a table representing the many service members who were prisoners of war or missing in action. -- Warren Scott

Post 45 Commander Andy Hoggard said of the news, “I was floored by it. I was not expecting it.”

“We’re going to use it to get up and running again while we build a new building,” said Hoggard, who added the post still hopes to construct a new headquarters at its present site at the corner of Main and Raymond streets.

Pippo has practiced dentistry in Follansbee for nearly 40 years and also is a veteran, having served as a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard at Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Columbus.

The news brought a conclusion to the Veterans Day service, where state Sen. Laura Wakim-Chapman, R-Ohio, and others paid tribute to veterans of all eras.

Wakim-Chapman said she is proud to have had a father, grandfather and great-grandfather, among other family members, who served and feels the principles by which they lived have helped to guide her.

She added she knows of the experiences of military families because she lived in various places where her father served.

She said she appreciated the tight-knit communities around the Army bases where she lived, but she often missed her father’s presence when his duties took him away from home.

“But I was lucky. My dad always came home. Some children were not so fortunate,” she said.

Wakim-Chapman noted Veterans Day originated in 1918 as Armistice Day to mark the celebration of the end of World War I but evolved into a day on which “to honor the courage and sacrifices of every American who has taken the oath to serve our nation.”

She said many volunteered their service while some were drafted, but all made sacrifices for their service and some gave their lives.

During the service, attention also was given to service members who were prisoners of war or declared missing in action.

With help from the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad, post leaders carried on the ceremonial placing of items at a small table to represent them.

The items included a red rose, representing the blood they have shed for their country; and a slice of lemon to symbolize their bitter fate.

Also participating in the service were veteran Jim Dawson, who delivered opening and closing prayers; D. David Stiles, who performed the national anthem and patriotic music; and Dee Taylor, the post’s finance officer, who read “In Flanders Field.”

Prior to the service, Taylor announced the post will hold a quarter auction on Sunday at the Wellsburg Elks Lodge to support its ongoing reconstruction efforts.

Doors will open at 12:30 p.m., with the bidding to begin at 1:30 p.m. Admission is $5, which includes one paddle, with additional paddles available for $1 each.