Billboard salutes Boardman native

STAFF REPORT

BOARDMAN — A Marine Corps billboard featuring Boardman native Lt. Col. Brian Kennedy, recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, has been erected along U.S. Route 224 at West Boulevard in honor of his service in Iraq.

A dedication ceremony for the billboard, erected by the Cleveland Marine Corps recruiting office in conjunction with Lamar Advertising and the Boardman trustees, will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the parking of Los Gallos Restaurant, 685 Boardman-Canfield Road. Kennedy will attend the ceremony.

Kennedy, a 1984 graduate of Poland Seminary High School, received the Distinguished Flying Cross with V for valor for his actions while serving in Iraq. In January 2003, he deployed to Iraq as part of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom and completed 72 combat missions during the invasion of Iraq.

In February 2005, he served a second tour in Iraq and completed an additional 150 combat missions. Kennedy has amassed more than 3,000 hours in military aircraft.

Kennedy graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the Marine Corps. Throughout his career as a Marine Cobra pilot, he has served overseas on shipboard deployments in crises in Haiti and Bosnia.

In addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross, he has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, two single mission Air Medals with 12 Strike/Flight awards, the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star, and numerous campaign/service awards.

alcorn@vindy.com