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Three Valley veterans honored in Columbus
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Roger Gardner has volunteered thousands of hours of his time to help out at clinics in Warren and Youngstown.
Alexander Kish helped raise funds so needy kids in Trumbull County could go to summer camp.
Joseph Vrabel was known as a “veteran’s veteran” for his avid support of the area’s service men and women.
On Thursday, the three were among 15 Ohioans who were inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, honoring their military service and their community outreach.
The ceremony took place in Columbus with Gov. John Kasich and recently installed Ohio Department of Veterans Services Director Timothy Gorrell presenting honorees with medals and plaques.
The inductees “not only answered the call to serve their country, but answered the call in even bigger ways to serve their fellow man,” Kasich said. “Thank you for your service. You’re terrific people, and I’ve learned something from all of you today.”
Gardner, of Warren, served in the U.S. Army and Ohio Army National Guard during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
He has been a member of the American Legion Post 540 Honor Guard in Cortland since 1957 and has been an active participant in Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities.
According to the Department of Veterans Services, he helped to spearhead the construction of several veterans memorials in the area, including the Korean War Memorial at Trumbull County Veterans Park.
Gardner also has volunteered extensively at clinics that serve veterans in Trumbull and Mahoning counties and has shared his military experiences with schoolchildren via the “Tell America” program.
“Roger Gardner exemplifies caring and commitment to continue serving the veterans of Trumbull County,” said Mike McKinney, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, during Thursday’s ceremonies.
Kish, of Newton Falls, served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and played a big role in the creation of the Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.
According to the Department of Veterans Services, he has helped raise funds for phone cards for injured and active military men and women and helped to accommodate veterans and their families attending the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Kish also has worked with a group that provides transportation for senior citizens for doctor’s appointments and helped establish a community block watch in Newton Falls.
“Alex Kish has dedicated his life to recognizing the contributions of veterans and caring for those less fortunate,” McKinney said.
The late Joseph Vrabel, from Poland, served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a life member of the American Legion Mahoning Valley Post 15 and joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars shortly after his military service.
According to the Department of Veterans Services, he was an “avid supporter” of the American Legion’s Buckeye Boys State and worked to ensure area youth could participate.
He also helped raise funds to provide Christmas gifts to hospitalized veterans, worked to obtain a van to transport vets from Youngstown to VA hospitals and clinics in Cleveland and spent “countless hours” serving as an honor and color guard.
“He was known locally as the ‘Veteran’s Veteran,’” McKinney said.
His son, Jeff, accepted the Hall of Fame honors on his father’s behalf Thursday in Columbus.