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Veteran stresses meaning of holiday
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
No matter how many times Army Sgt. 1st Class Terell Jones knocks on a front door to notify family members of a serviceman or woman’s death, it doesn’t get any easier.
“You’re bringing them news that’s going to change the family’s life forever,” Jones, a Chaney High School graduate, said.
He was honored Monday at the American Legion George Washington Carver Post 504 and Women’s Auxiliary Memorial Day program for his more than 20 years of military service.
Jones also is a member of Post 504 on Glenwood Avenue on the city’s South Side.
Two other members also were honored for their service, Ted Radcliff and Mark Young, but they couldn’t attend the program.
Jones, who joined the Army right after high school, has filled the role of case assistance officer or case notification officer five times.
Four of those times he didn’t know the deceased, but that didn’t make it less difficult.
“Anytime you lose a brother or sister, it’s personal,” Jones said.
He goes to the homes of service men and women – whether early in the morning or late at night – without a lot of answers.
“I tell them, ‘Everything is under investigation,’” Jones said. “They want to know why it happened. I don’t know specifics.”
He understands it’s a visit those families will remember for the rest of their lives, and he must conduct himself accordingly.
“You have to mean it from the heart because they expect you to mean if from the heart,” he said.
Jones, who is stationed in Ravenna, has served in Iraq and has been stationed all over the country and in various parts of the world.
He enjoys coming to American Legion events and talking to fellow veterans.
“Every vet has a story to tell,” Jones said.
He listed the names of men with whom he served who died in Iraq and stressed it’s important that people remember the significance of Memorial Day.
“We don’t want to lose sight of what Memorial Day is,” Jones said. “It’s to honor the fallen. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”