Laying of the Roses scheduled

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The 20th annual Laying of the Roses ceremony to honor military personnel killed in the Vietnam War and prisoners of war and missing in action is at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Vietnam Memorial in downtown Youngstown.

The main speaker is Tom Burke, Vietnam Veterans Association state president. Gus Guzman is master of ceremonies, and there will be welcoming remarks by Stanley Clingerman, president of VVA Chapter 135. Ted Kester, Jan Brown, Pamela Murray and Dan Rivers will read the names of those killed in the war.

The Tri-State Detachment of the Marine Corps League will post and retire the Colors. The National Anthem will be performed by Brittany Best of Poland Seminary High School, and Barry Landgraver of the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission will present a special recognition of Korean War veterans who have died of service-connected illness. Korean War Veterans will provide the firing squad, and taps will be played by Brad Gessner.

A reception will follow at American Legion Post 472 on Indianaola Avenue, Youngstown, sponsored by Post 472, VVA Chapter 135, AMVETS Post 44 and IAWP Youngstown Chapter.