HONORING FAMILIES — Members of the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park Foundation honored the families of late local veterans, including brothers Armando Paul Andreozzi and Dominick Andreozzi. Representing the brothers were, from left, front: Geraldine Taibi, the brothers’ 94-year-old sister and Cathy Andreozzi; second row, Kathy Andreozzi, Paul Gaudio, Donna Taibi Sullivan, Christine Andreozzi Brewer, Diane Andreozzi, Teresa Andreozzi and Paul Andreozzi; and back: Sam Taibi, Kathy Andreozzi, Anthony Peterson, Brian Peterson and Savanna Wagstaff. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — For their observance of Veterans Day, members of the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park Foundation carried on their tradition of honoring families with multiple siblings who served in the military.

Donna Sullivan Taibi, who led the service held at the Foundery Church, said it’s always difficult for the mother of a child who has been called to war, but it must be even more so for one who has multiple children serving at wartime.

Taibi said it was a fitting occasion to recognize all families of veterans who have supported them as they served in all of the nation’s military branches in all eras of history. Plaques denoting the late local veterans’ service were presented to family members representing each of them.

The honored veterans were:

Brothers Dominick Andreozzi and

HONORING FAMILIES — Family members representing late local veterans Lewis Carte Sr., Lewis Carte Jr. and Robert, Calvin and Paul Carte, included, from left, Marc Carte, Dawn Carte, Bonnie Bartz, Jacie Ridgley, Michael Carte and Bruce Carte. -- Warren Scott

Armando Paul Andreozzi

Dominick Andreozzi and his brother, Armando Paul Andreozzi of Follansbee, served at different times in the Army. Dominick was a special vehicle operator in Germany during World War II, while Paul served in a medical unit during the Korean War.

Members of their family said while Paul became a steelworker following his return to the U.S., he supported his two daughters’ pursuit of careers in nursing. The men served as leaders of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

Among many family members representing the two was their 94-year-old sister, Geraldine Taibi.

Lewis Carte Sr. and sons Lewis Jr., Robert, Calvin and Paul Carte

HONORING FAMILIES — Marty Damms of Weirton, accepted plaques honoring his late father, Arthur, and his late uncles, Robert and William Damms, for their service during World War II. The quilt in the background is one of two sewn by Christine Andreozzi Brewer. -- Warren Scott

Lewis Carte Sr. of Wellsburg, served in the Army during World War I. Each of his four sons, Lewis Jr., Robert, Calvin and Paul Carte, served in World War II.

Lewis Jr. was a corporal in the Army’s signal corps and was involved in railway operations in Central Europe.

Robert was a radio operator in the Marine Corps, serving in the Japanese-occupied Palau Islands.

Calvin served in the Army as a medical technician in Europe and the Middle East.

Paul served as a cook aboard a naval vessel engaged in the Navy’s Asiatic-Pacific campaign.

Brothers Arthur, Robert and William Damms

Brothers Arthur, Robert and William Damms of Wellsburg, served in the military during World War II.

Arthur was a radar operator aboard the USS Wasp, an aircraft carrier patrolling the Atlantic Ocean off the East Coast of the U.S. when Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese.

It’s not clear if Arthur remained aboard that ship or was on another when he was deployed with other sailors to fight Japanese forces in the South Pacific.

Robert served in the Navy as an aviation ordnanceman, whose duties included maintaining weapons used on naval aircraft, including missiles, bombs and guns.

William, who served in the Army as an auto mechanic, was involved in the Asiatic-Pacific campaign.

Sullivan noted it was customary for families with multiple members serving in World War II to display in their windows a banner bearing a star for each service member. Such banners were displayed during the service, as were red, white and blue quilts sewn by Christine Brewer, daughter of Paul Andreozzi.

Sullivan said the quilts were inspired by the Quilts of Valor program. It was begun by Catherine Roberts of Delaware, whose son was deployed to Iraq and who saw quilts as a way to comfort veterans who had returned from service. The program brings together quilters and veterans to whom they may show their appreciation.

Information for those wanting to produce a quilt for a veteran or who wish to nominate a veteran for a quilt, can visit qovf.org.

Participating in the Veterans Day service were: Bobby Westfall, pastor of Foundery Church; Marvin Whiteman, performer of patriotic music; members of Cub Scout Pack 1553, who led the Pledge of Allegiance; and the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad, who performed a military salute. The foundation was involved in establishing a set of monuments for veterans which overlook the paddle boat pond at Brooke Hills Park.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)