Veterans event will honor safety forces

YOUNGSTOWN -- The Vietnam Veterans of America Youngstown Chapter 135 will include war veterans who now serve as firefighters, police officers and emergency workers among those honored at this year's 10th annual Laying of the Roses event.
The event, at 11 a.m. Nov. 4 at the Vietnam War Memorial on the city square, remembers Mahoning County's 100 residents killed in the conflict as well as three who remain missing in action, event organizer Gus Guzman said. He is a former chapter president, commander of American Legion Post 472 and delegate to the Vietnam Veterans of America Buckeye State Council.
Guzman said family members of those killed and missing will place a rose at the foot of the monument in memory of their loved ones. This year's event will also feature a "table for one" display to represent the isolation of veterans still missing in action.
Also this year, Guzman said, all veterans will be honored, including those who returned to America to continue serving as public-safety personnel.
Guzman invites veterans, family members and members of the public to attend. For information, contact Guzman at (330) 758-6754 weekdays between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.