Veterans honored at Mahoning County Courthouse ceremony

YOUNGSTOWN — Veterans are “the true heroes” of American democracy, a local veterans’ organization leader told more than 100 people at today’s annual Veterans’ Day observance in the Mahoning County Courthouse.

“We remember how men and women from our country set aside their civilian pursuits to serve their nation’s cause, defending our freedom and preserving our precious American heritage,” said Samuel Swoger II of Austintown, commander of the United Veterans’ Council of Greater Youngstown, an umbrella group of local veterans’ organizations.

Commitments to serve “our country and its causes are the pinnacles of true citizenship,” he added.

“We continue our endeavors on behalf of world peace with profound gratitude to the men and women who served as part of the noble cause,” he told the audience of veterans, judges and county officials.

During the ceremony, the voices of 55 children from St. Joseph the Provider School at St. Anthony Church in Brier Hill reverberated through the marble rotunda of the 103-year-old county courthouse as they sang patriotic songs.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com