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YSU remembers associated fallen soldiers
YOUNGSTOWN
The sounds of rifle shots and taps filled the air Wednesday morning to conclude Youngstown State University’s Reading of the Names.
The ceremony, at Veterans Plaza on Armed Forces Boulevard on the campus, honored 67 veterans associated with YSU, through employment or attendance, who died while on active duty in the armed forces.
“It’s amazing what Youngs-town State University has put together to remember those who have served,” YSU President Jim Tressel said.
The YSU Armed Forces Association conducted the first ceremony with 52 names in 1997. Since then it has added 15 names.
“YSU is such a veteran-friendly school,” said Army Capt. Stephanie Crawford, who read the first set of names at the ceremony.
She said it’s “important to bear in mind” the sacrifices and contributions from those who served. There were veterans who served when it wasn’t considered so much of a profession in the past, she added. “That makes their contributions more important.”
The ceremony opened with a presentation of the flag followed by a rendition of the national anthem.
The names were then randomly read aloud so that each was honored.
The majority of the names were students of Youngstown College who died in World War II.
Canfield Mayor Bernie Kosar Sr., who attended the event, and was commissioned to serve in the Army Reserve in 1959, said it’s among the nicest events with the names repeated each year.
Rick Williams, coordinator of YSU’s Office of Veteran Affairs, said there are probably names out there in the community that should be honored at the ceremony, and he encouraged anyone to let the office know of any others.
“Youngstown State is a veterans-friendly campus, and we feel it’s important to keep it fresh in everyone’s mind,” he said.
Additionally, YSU will dedicate two, newly planted American elm trees, located at the rear entrance of the Veterans Resource Center, at 11 a.m. Tuesday.