Memorial service will focus on widows

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Shawn D. White is the keynote speaker.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGS- TOWN — VFW Post 6468 and its Ladies Auxiliary will honor widows of military personnel during a Memorial Day service Monday.

Former state Sen. Harry Meshel, representing Gov. Ted Strickland, will present special tributes to the widows at the ceremony, which begins at 1 p.m. at the post home at 2065 Coitsville-Hubbard Road. The public is invited.

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Shawn D. White, adviser to the commander of the 910th Airlift Wing at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna, is the keynote speaker. He will be introduced by Judge Robert P. Milich of Youngstown Municipal Court, a retired Air Force colonel.

White was born in Cleveland and graduated from John Adams High School there in 1987. He has been deployed to Southwest Asia in support of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and to Qatar in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.

“The members of Donald Lockett Post 6468 and the Ladies Auxiliary and the entire community would like to commend all individuals who have made tremendous sacrifices while our great nation was at war, past and present, and give special tribute to the widows of our department comrades,” said Herman Adams, program chairman.

Special recognitions also will be paid to the widows by Mahoning County Commissioners Anthony Traficanti and David Ludt, and by Ray Ornelas on behalf of Barry Landgraver, director of the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission.

The ceremony will include placing a wreath at the flag pole by Lloyd O. Mims Sr., past post commander, and Henry Clarett, past county commander.

William Cousin Jr. is commander of Post 6488, and Sandra Graves is president of the ladies auxiliary.