Greene County honors Vietnam Wall heroes
WAYNESBURG – Greene County heroes were honored with wreaths and tears Saturday afternoon during a ceremony at Greene County Fairgrounds, where the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall has been set up since Wednesday.
The service recognized nine men from Greene County whose names are on the wall.
“It was a beautiful service,” said MaryJo Antonelli Ullom, whose older brother was one of the soldiers recognized. “This is a difficult time.”
Her older brother was Army Spc. Joseph P. Antonelli, 20, of Bobtown. Ullom was escorted by a National Guardsman of Waynesburg with a wreath to place at the wall, where her brother’s name was listed.
Several other family members of the nine men were also led from their seats to the wall to place a wreath at their loved-one’s name. Those names included Daniel E. Allum, Robert Thomas Efaaw, Keith Arthur Held, John Richard Hill, Glenn Chalfant Hopes, Harry Ronald Hoskinson, Brent A. McClellan, and Richard Lynn Wildman.
The service began with the nation anthem, Pledge of Allegiance and a fly-over. Tom Stokes, a U.S. Marine and clinical social worker with Operation Strong Mind, gave an address about the importance of remembering the names on the wall and respecting the veteran community.
Following the wreath placements, there was a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps, which evoked tears throughout the crowd of hundreds.
Gold Star mother, May Brock, 91, of Washington, was one of those shedding tears Saturday. She’s spent many hours at the wall over the past few days, dressed in all white to honor the memory of her 19-year-old son Glenn Smith, who died in Korea.
“I’m here paying my respects,” she said. “We are supposed to respect all the veterans, no matter what. They are our sons.”
Brock said she knew four other Gold Star mothers, with sons on the Vietnam wall.
“But those mothers couldn’t be here today because they have since passed,” Brock said. “So I’m here for them too.”
The wall will be open 24 hours through Monday morning. A Warrior’s Rock concert will begin at 3 p.m. today, with songs veterans relied on while they were overseas. The closing ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. today.