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Veterans Park dinner-dance set

By WARREN SCOTT 2 min read
VETERANS DINNER SET — Members of the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park Foundation finalize plans for the group’s annual dinner-dance, which will be held April 29 at the Wellsburg Banquet Hall. With one of many drawing prizes behind them, the group includes, from left, front, Janice McFadden, president; Nancy Strope, fundraising chair; and Patty Waters; and back, Katy O’Connell, Donna Sullivan and Lisa Chiodo. Sally Cassandra, Janet Sporka, Sharon Crabtree, Matt McFadden and Brad Shaffer also are members. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG -- Members of the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park Foundation recently announced details for their annual dinner-dance, including the recipient of the Brooke County Veteran of the Year honor.

Vietnam veteran Jerry Adams of Wellsburg will be the latest of many local veterans to be recognized by the group.

Adams served in the Army's 9th Infantry Division and received the Purple Heart twice for injuries he sustained during his service between 1966 and 1968.

While in the Army, he served in an honor guard for funerals for fellow service members who were killed in action and continues to provide military honors to deceased veterans as a member of the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad.

Janice McFadden, the foundation's president, said the dinner-dance will be held April 29 at the Wellsburg Banquet Hall on 12th Street.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner to be served by Vito's 2 Catering at 6:30 p.m. A program honoring Adams and other veterans will follow.

Nancy Strope, the foundation's vice president and fundraising chair, said the program will be followed by a dance with music by area band Pocket Change.

During the event the group will be holding drawings for a 50-inch smart television, four burner gas grill and other prizes as well as a 50-50 drawing.

Tickets for the dinner-dance are $35 each and can be purchased at the Brooke Hills Park clubhouse or by calling (304) 737-1236.

The park is home to the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park. Overlooking its paddle boat pond, it pays tribute to about 180 local servicemen who died while serving their country and 27 who were prisoners of war through monuments bearing their names.

It was inspired by the death of Marine Lance Cpl. Michael J. Smith, who was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2004.

Each year the group holds services on Memorial Day and Veterans Day at the park or pending weather conditions, a local church.

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