More veterans banners unveiled in Wellsburg

WELLSBURG -- The many who live, work and do business in Wellsburg need look no further than above them to be reminded of the many local residents who made sacrifices and in some cases, lost their lives, while serving their country.

On Tuesday volunteers with the Hometown Heroes committee of the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park Foundation unveiled about 125 banners bearing the images of veterans who served in various military conflicts and in peace.

Family members and in some cases, the veterans themselves, had an opportunity to pose for photos with the flags before they are added to the 129 flown from street posts since May.

The group will accept sponsors for about 20 posts left, said Eric Fithyan, who has teamed with Donna Sullivan and Lisa Chiodo for the project.

The cost is $100 each, with Main Street Bank funding brackets for the banners. For information, call (304) 737-3551.

Sullivan said the idea was suggested by the late Paul "Bud" Billiard, an active member of the foundation, which established a memorial at Brooke Hills Park honoring all veterans who died while serving as well as those declared missing in action.

She said the foundation, which is headed by Janice McFadden and Nancy Strope, has made plans on May 3 to resume its annual dinner and the presentation of a Brooke County Veteran of the Year, for which the group accepts nominations.

Sullivan noted the group also recognizes families in which multiple siblings have been veterans at its Memorial Day and Veterans Day services. Those seeking information for either honor may call (304) 737-1236 for information.

The Fodors of McKinleyville are among families with multiple veterans appearing on the banners.

Susan Fodor surveyed the row of banners bearing photos of her late husband, Paul Wesley Fodor, a Navy yeoman who was chosen to bear his company's pennant in formal processions; their son, Paul Michael, who was an Army truck driver in Korea's demilitarized zone; two of her husband's uncles, Louis and William; and her father-in-law, Steve.

An Army medic during World War II, Louis was among troops who landed on Normandy Beach on D-Day. His brother, William, participated in the Battle of Monte Cassino, a series of assaults on Axis forces in Italy, and didn't make it home, Susan noted.

Her father-in-law, Steve, died while serving in the Philippine Islands during World War II and was posthumously awarded the bronze star.

The citation issued with the medal states Steve had become separated from others in his patrol when he encountered an enemy encampment and shot and killed three Japanese soldiers and destroyed much of their equipment before he was killed.

Susan said her husband was a young boy when his father died.

She said of the banners, "I just think it is a wonderful opportunity. These veterans need to be recognized. They left everything they loved to serve."

Judy Van Horn of McAdoo Ridge was on hand to see banners for both her husband, Lloyd; and her late father, Charles H. Lewis.

Lloyd said the banner noting his service in the Navy in the 1960s was his wife's idea, and he was more concerned that her father, an Army scout who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, be recognized.

He said his father-in-law experienced "many close calls but no injuries" and was among the fortunate to return home from the war.

Judy said, "My grandfather often said he had 17 sons, sons-in-law and cousins who served and they all came back alive."

Lloyd, who was stationed in South America during the Cuban Missile Crisis, said he's happy to see other veterans honored through the banners.

"Thank God somebody's doing it. There are so many people who deserve recognition and never got it, especially the Vietnam veterans," he said.

One of the youngest to appear on one of the banners is Ronald Lemasters, whose more than 21 years in the Army included service in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He was awarded 17 medals, including the Purple Heart, which he received after sustaining shrapnel wounds to his knees from an improvised explosive device.

But Lemasters noted he served who fared worse.

"We lost about 26 guys in our unit at different times," he said.

Lemasters said both of his parents, Larry and Linda, are military veterans, and he wanted banners for them, but they insisted on one for him instead.

Asked how he felt about it, he said, "It made me proud. There are a lot of places that don't do that. You feel appreciated."