43
YSU honors former students killed in wars
Photo
HONORING THE VETERANS: Members of Youngstown State University’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program served as honor guards at the university’s annual Veterans Day ceremony. Presenting the colors during Tuesday’s program are, from left, David Bruno of New Wilmington, Pa.; Brad Wheeler of Carrollton; Roger St. Julian of Cortland; and Kelli Phillips of Austintown.
Photo
SOLEMN CEREMONY: Tim Daniels, a music major at YSU, plays taps at the conclusion of the ceremony on Veterans Plaza. The names of 64 former YSU students and alumni who died in the line of duty while serving in the military were read during the program. Most died in World War II.
By Harold Gwin
YSU honors former students killed in wars
The names of students and alumni who died in action are on plaques in Veterans Plaza.
YOUNGSTOWN — Marion Hurtuk didn’t know her brother’s name was on a plaque in Veterans Plaza at Youngstown State University.
The Poland woman said she read a Vindicator article a year ago about the university’s holding a Veterans Day ceremony to honor former students who lost their lives in the line of duty while serving in the military. Her brother, Robert A. Farnell, was drafted while a student at what was then Youngstown College during World War II and died in the Normandy invasion in 1944.
Hurtuk, 79, said that, after reading the article, she decided to attend this year’s YSU ceremony, which took place Tuesday.
She and her husband, George, were in the audience as the names of 64 former YSU students and alumni who died in the line of duty while serving in the military were read.
“I didn’t know about his name on a plaque,” she said later. The names of the 64 are listed on plaques around Veterans Square.
“I think it’s wonderful,” Hurtuk said of the recognition afforded those who sacrificed everything for their country.
“It’s a thread that ties you to the past.”
All veterans deserve so much credit, she said, explaining, “We live in a safe country because of them.”
She was only 14 when her brother, a 1941 graduate of South High School and either a freshman or sophomore at Youngstown, was drafted.
“He was a great guy,” she recalled, noting that he was involved with the YMCA and the Boy Scouts and was working at a job while he went to college.
Hurtuk said she and her husband both graduated from Youngstown in 1952, and both of their sons are alumni as well.
The YSU Armed Forces Association presented its second annual Cincinnatus Award to Vernon Haynes, professor and chairman of the psychology department and chairman of the university’s Veterans Advisory Council. He is an Air force veteran.
The award is presented in recognition of an individual’s service and commitment to his or her country and community.
Cincinnatus was a Roman who was a farmer first and a general second.
He was twice appointed dictator of his nation during times of crisis and stepped down both times immediately after the crisis was resolved rather than retain what amounted to absolute power. Both times he returned to the life of a farmer.
The recognition means a lot, Haynes said, noting that he was unaware he was to receive the award. He said it’s not his alone but represents the work of a group of individuals on the Veterans Advisory Council.
Michael Shepherd, a retiree from YSU’s athletic department and a former Marine, served as emcee for the ceremony which was first held in 1997.
There were times when only a handful of people attended, he said, but it wouldn’t matter if no one showed up. It would still be held, he said, explaining it would be disrespectful not to recognize those who gave their lives for their country.
More than 60 people attended Tuesday’s event which included a 3-volley rifle salute and the playing of Taps.
gwin@vindy.com
SEE ALSO: Veterans Day 2009: Serving with HONOR, AREA VETERANS DAY EVENTS and Businesses closed today.