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The Jefferson County Veterans Association held its annual county-wide veterans picnic Saturday at Friendship Park in Smithfield. The 46 veterans, along with their families, enjoyed picnic foods, camaraderie and musical selections from the Tri-State Community Band. A drawing was held for the opportunity to win two gold-plated, proof coins commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day beach landings at Normandy on June 6, 1944. One coin contained sand from Normandy. The other, a depiction of soldiers assaulting Omaha Beach. The winner of the coins was George Harrah Jr., a Navy submariner who served on diesel and nuclear submarines. The veterans association thanked everyone who supported the event, including A Touch of Elegance for providing a cake that was displayed by JCVA Adjutant Barry Bardone; the Jefferson County Veterans Service Office for a financial donation; Bardone for the coin donation; the Tri-State Community Band for the music; Wood's Food Center in Hopedale; Vince Pastre for the sound system and Joe the Cook. Officials gave special thanks to all JCVA members and their spouses for their time and labor in making this year's picnic a success. Also in attendance was Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr., far left, a friend of county veterans. Abdalla often holds a breakfast for all veterans of Jefferson County to thank and honor them for their service. The next breakfast will take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 19 at the Jefferson County Corrections Center, located off state Route 7 in Steubenville.
— Contributed