By PETER H. MILLIKEN

By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
McDONALD -- Americans of every generation must never forget the sacrifices of those killed in combat in its wars, a Korean War veteran said here Sunday.
"Cherish the gift of freedom that Americans have fought and died to preserve. Never forget how this gift of freedom was placed in your hands," said Robert Brothers of Niles, who was an Army sergeant during the Korean War.
Brothers, 72, a retired Delphi Packard Electric Systems computer analyst, was the speaker at a service at the Woodland Park War Memorial on the day before Memorial Day.
"Each of us is responsible to defend liberty. Our ancestors defended liberty, and no less will be expected of us today. Of each generation, much will be asked, and, of each generation, much will be expected," he said.
"In war, there is no real glory. In war, there is only sacrifice -- sacrifice of life, injury to body, mind and soul," Brothers said, recalling his military service on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, on July 27, 1953.
Memories
In Korea, Brothers recalled enduring hunger for days at a time, constant sleep deprivation and temperatures ranging from 40 degrees below zero to 110 above, and seeing many friends and comrades wounded and "truckloads of American soldiers stacked like cordwood, who would be returned to their families in body bags.''
Some 54,340 Americans died in that war and 103,000 were wounded.
When he returned from Korea, "There were no parades, thank yous, or 'atta boys,'" he said, and many Korean War veterans were reluctant for decades to discuss their wartime experiences.
Brothers is a member of the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission and first vice commander and chaplain of American Legion Post 106 in Niles.
He is also a member of Korean War Veterans, Mahoning Valley Chapter 137, and chairman of its "Tell America" program, in which he speaks to many local school groups and others about that war, which is often referred to as America's forgotten war.
About the service
The outdoor service, which was sponsored by the fire department, featured patriotic music by the McDonald High School Band, which marched from the high school to the event.
Brothers read the names of six Ohioans killed in the war in Iraq, including Niles native Lt. Col. Dominic Baragona. Mayor Jim Border read the names of 19 McDonald residents killed in combat in all wars, whose names are inscribed on the memorial.
Fire Chief Michael Badila and Charles Schenkel of McDonald, a World War II veteran, placed a wreath at the memorial. The American Legion DeWitt McConnell Post 235 drill team provided a rifle salute; Hannah Molter, 12, of Poland sang the national anthem; and Becky Sobinovsky and Mark Macali of the high school band played taps.
Richard Koker of Youngstown, a Korean War veteran, provided sign-language interpretation.