Classmates, families, officials celebrate 2 fallen veterans

AUSTINTOWN — Members of the Austintown Fitch Class of 1962 gathered Tuesday afternoon to celebrate highway dedication for two of their fallen classmates.

The signs for the Vietnam Memorial Highway, the “Army 2nd Lt. Charles W. Brown and Marine Sgt. James Prommersberger” highway, already are posted on Interstate 80 in Austintown, one before motorists hit the intersection of I-80 and state Route 46 and the other is where motorists exit the Ohio Turnpike.

“I could say it was awesome, it was incredible, but those words do not describe what I felt. I was actually out of breath,” said Kristin O’Neill, daughter of Prommersberger, of the first time she saw the sign along I-80. “There’s no word to describe what I felt. I could use tons of adjectives, but it was a different level than I’ve ever experienced.”

The Fitch Class of 1962 had a picnic to celebrate the occasion after the unveiling ceremony Tuesday afternoon.

“I imagine [today] or Thursday we’ll go ahead and go by it. I’ve been trying to keep control” of emotions, said Karen Brown Ruberto, Brown’s widow. “This is just so amazing.”

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