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Warren resident places wreath at Arlington

Special to the Tribune Chronicle Herm Breuer, center, director of the Trumbull County Veterans Services Commission, along with Gary Gutelius of the Disabled American Veterans, Trumbull County Chapter, right, spent Veterans Day in Washington, D.C. At left is Robert Wilkie, secretary of Veterans Affairs. The three are shown here Sunday at the National Press Club.

Calling it an “opportunity of a lifetime,” Warren resident Herman Breuer, director of the Trumbull County Veterans Services Commission, placed a wreath Sunday afternoon at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery as part of Veterans Day services in the nation’s capital.

Breuer, who also serves as president of the National Association of County Veterans Services Offices, was accompanied by Gary Gutelius of the Disabled American Veterans, Trumbull County Chapter. Breuer was among 10 individuals given the honor for the ceremony.

“The weather was absolutely beautiful … Gary accompanied me in placing the wreath at the tomb. It was an amazing event with many dignitaries and military officials attending to mark the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day,” Breuer said.

Not expecting to see anyone else from Trumbull County, Breuer was surprised when Sidney McMahan of Niles, representing the Army-Navy veterans organization, also placed a wreath at the tomb.

“We are hundreds of miles away from Trumbull County, and we meet someone from Niles,” Breuer said.

Breuer said he was selected because he is president of the national organization. Breuer left for the nation’s capital Saturday afternoon after taking part in the Trumbull County Veterans Day service and parade in Warren.

At the D.C. service, Breuer said he and Gutelius sat near Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

“He was a short distance from where we were. It was hard to believe we were part of this amazing event,” Breuer said.

The day started out at the National Press Club and those taking part in the Veterans Day ceremony met with Robert Wilkie, secretary of Veterans Affairs.

“There were representatives from many different service organizations there.” he said.

Also Sunday, a reception was held by the American Red Cross, Breuer said.

Breuer said he will tour the White House on Thursday and meet with representatives of various U.S. departmental offices connected to veteran services. Also Thursday, he will be part of a ceremony at the White House honoring veterans and military members. Breuer said the information he obtains in D.C. will help in his work at the Trumbull Veterans Services Commission.

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