Warren remembers the fallen

WARREN -- Vietnam Army veteran Sgt. Victor Scurry, 83, of Brookfield, comes to Warren's Memorial Day ceremony and parade each year to remember the friends he's lost to combat.

The two Purple Hearts and 14 scars that Scurry calls his "tattoos" serve as a reminder of the sacrifice that he and his brothers in arms pay tribute to.

Scurry and others started their day gathered behind the Warren Community Amphitheatre where they watched a wreath being cast into the Mahoning River by Corban Baker, a Marine veteran and representative from the Veterans Service Commission of Mahoning County.

The tradition carries a special significance to commemorate the men and women sailors who died at sea during war.

Herm Breuer, director of the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission, served as the master of ceremonies, making sure to thank all of the local organizations that contributed to the day's ceremony and parade.

"Today is about memorials, and remembering their service and honoring them in our lives, and bringing the community now to surround those who we lost to let them know that we will never forget."

Among those contributors, the men of the Second Brigade Motorcycle Club had been out since 6 a.m. preparing for the day. The group served breakfast, eggs, bacon and more -- all of which the group purchased in the weeks leading up to the day's ceremony.

"We promote veterans and veteran causes, that's our mission statement. This is what we're about and we want to be seen and we want to make sure that we're doing what we say we're all about," member Jeffery "Fireball" Koon said.

Warren Mayor Doug Franklin announced that the property transfer of the Trumbull County Vietnam Veteran Memorial to the county and its veterans office has been completed.

Franklin shared a quote from the late President John F. Kennedy: "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty," a quote from JFK's inaugural address in 1961.

Outside the Kinsman House, 61 plaques lined the front yard bearing the names, faces, and other information about every service member from Trumbull County killed in Vietnam. The plaques were paid for with help from local organizations and purchased by the Warren Heritage Foundation.

A special remembrance was given by James Rapone, representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Veterans Service Commission, for Marine Private John D. Flanigan, a 1966 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School who died during the Vietnam war Nov. 17,1967.

His sister, Debbie York, was only 12 when she saw her mother get the knock at the door letting her know of Flanigan's death. York was in attendance to hear her brother honored.

Rapone shared stories about her brother and concluded with a letter that Flanigan wrote to his mother. Flanigan, who had arrived in Vietnam Oct. 19, 1967, checks in with his mother to let her know his place of address and checks in on the family to make sure that everyone is doing OK.

It concluded: "I'll be home before you know it. I love you dearly. I love you mama," Rapone read aloud.

He was service member No. 15 to die from Trumbull County during that war.

"Ladies and gentlemen, there is no glory in war, only sacrifices and casualties -- and the greatest casualty in any war is being forgotten. Today we stand here to remember Jack and all those near and dear to you," Rapone said.

After the ceremony concluded the Warren G. Harding High School Marching Band kicked off a parade joined by the Trumbull County Sheriff's Mounted Unit on horseback, members of the Girl Scouts, along with several classic cars and military vehicles that made about a mile-long trip from Mahoning Avenue to the entrance of Oakwood Cemetery on Niles Road.

Inside the cemetery, a service at the Tomb of the Unknowns took place.