Area marks Veterans Day

Follansbee, Wellsburg and Weirton were among communities that marked Veterans Day with programs paying tribute to those who have served in the military and continue to serve.

"For those who fight for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know," said Tom Miller, quoting author and fellow Vietnam War veteran William Crapser, at a Veterans Day program outside Follansbee American Legion Post 45.

Miller, a banking center manager for WesBanco and former radio and television announcer, said while serving, he learned the administration may call a deployment a police action but "Regardless of what the White House calls it, when the enemy is shooting at you, it's a war."

He noted public opinion of the war was largely negative, but because his military unit returned from their tour of duty as a group, "we were spared the abuse many Vietnam veterans experienced."

Miller said despite the public's divergent views on Vietnam and World War II, veterans of both wars can find a common bond.

Miller recalled taking a friend, a World War II veteran who fought at Omaha Beach on D-Day, to see the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Miller said his friend required a wheelchair, and as he rolled him toward the monument, soldiers and Marines offered a salute. While there, the pair also encountered a Korean War veteran and a soldier who had returned from the Middle East without his legs.

Mayor Tony Paesano and George Dragonir, Post 45 first vice commander, read the names of Follansbee area residents who were killed while serving at wartime: 11 in World War I, more than 40 in World War II, 13 in Vietnam and two area residents, Michael J. Smith and C.J. McClain, who were killed while serving in the Middle East.

Post 45 Commander Hartzel Brady said a plaque bearing their names will be displayed at the post's headquarters.

Also participating were the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad and Follansbee Middle School Marching Band, the Tri-State Young Marines Color Guard, vocalists Marla Mercer and Brent Kimball, Ralph Stift Sr., past American Legion district vice commander; and pastor Bill Cooper.

Representatives of the Brooke County Public Library, the Brooke County Visitors Center and Wellsburg Christian Church teamed to offer a personal tribute to local veterans at the church.

Veterans from various eras were invited to stand and briefly share information about their military service.

Among them were former prisoners of war John Chernenko of Wellsburg, who was captured in Germany after fighting in the Battle of the Bulge; and Abie Abraham of Butler, Pa., and Alex Sabo of Windsor Heights, both survivors of the Bataan Death March.

During the incident, 27,455 American troops and more than 120,000 Philippine troops captured while attempting to defend the Philippine Islands against the Japanese were marched 90 miles in subtropical heat, without food or water.

The march earned its name not only for the many soldiers who, already suffering from injuries or fatigue, succumbed to such harsh conditions, but also for the many who were shot, stabbed with bayonets, beheaded with swords or run over with tanks by their Japanese captors.

A permanent exhibit at the Brooke County Library relating the prisoners' experiences was established, with the help of former Japanese POW Ed Jackfert of Wellsburg, in 2002. But Sabo hadn't come forward to be recognized until last week.

Sabo said he prefers not to talk about his experiences during the march of while imprisoned at a Japanese POW camp, but added he has visited the exhibit and appreciated the three groups' efforts to honor all veterans.

Larry McNeely, a retired Naval commander and chairman of the West Virginia Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, said veterans have kept America free for more than 200 years and are a national treasure.

"May God keep us ever thankful for their sacrifices," he said.

Also participating were: local newspaper publisher George Wallace, Brooke County Sheriff Rich Ferguson, Ed L. Bowman, executive director of the West Virginia Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve; West Virginia State Police Sgt. Scott Adams, a former Army Reserve captain; Tom Miller, pastor Aaron Miller, a color guard from Boy Scout Troop 399, Frances Dennison of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, vocalist Toni Taylor, Mary Kay Wallace, Brooke County Library director; and Salvation Army Capt. Ed Long, a Marine Vietnam War veteran.

Weirton officials and residents gathered at the Veterans Memorial Court outside Millsop Community Center.

The guest speaker was former Marine Corps Sgt. Jack Earnest, a Vietnam War who returned to Vietnam as a missionary. Earnest said Veterans Day honors those who "wrote out a blank check to the U.S. government for an amount up to and including their lives."

"Veterans fought and continue to fight to keep the United States of America the land of the free and the home of the brave for the children of tomorrow," he said.

"That flag should mean something to every free American. Veterans Day is not about a sale at your local retail store. It is for remembering those who ensured we can live this American dream," he added.

Earnest encouraged those in attendance to greet veterans, when they see them, and to shake their hands or a hug and thank them for their service.

Memorial wreaths were presented and placed at the foot of the veterans memorial followed by a 21-gun salute.

Also participating were Duke Horstemeyer, as master of ceremonies; the Weir High School Band, the Rev. Jim Rhodes and 4th Ward Councilman George Ash, who also is a veteran.

(Staff writers Warren Scott and Angelina Dickson contributed to this report.)