Veterans saluted at picnic
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SMITHFIELD -- The Jefferson County Veterans Association hosted its annual county-wide picnic for active military and veterans, Saturday at Friendship Park.
Seventy-four attendees were entertained with patriotic music from the Tri-State Community Concert Band, under the direction of Kirk George. Participants enjoyed picnic fare: Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, homemade baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and more treats.
All veterans, their families and the band audience received a 250th America birthday lapel pin with the acknowledgment veterans assisted and guaranteed securing the freedoms we enjoy.
JCVA thanks all who contributed and donated their time, talent and treasure to the event’s success: Jefferson County Veterans Service Commission, Steubenville; Vince Pastre, for providing and operating the sound system; the village of Dillonvale; and the many family members who volunteered to set-up, serve and tidy-up for the picnic so that JCVA members could mingle among the attendees. Special thanks go to Joe “The Grillmaster” Douglas for his flipping expertise. Among those in attendance was Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr., a special friend to JCVA and all veterans.
All were invited to cross the road to view JCVA’s new park sign, courtesy of the Friendship Park board of trustees; the newly renovated Vietnam-era observation plane; the F-89 Scorpion, an early Cold War-era fighter-interceptor; tank; Howitzer; Navy antiaircraft guns; cannon; and the Memorial Wall, which contains 888 bricks engraved with names of county and other veterans.