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WARREN -- For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, more than two dozen veterans from all branches of the military were honored at a pinning ceremony Monday at the Warren SCOPE Center.
The ceremony was a partnership with HarmonyCares Hospice, which provided certificates for each of the 25 veterans. The certificates had the veteran's name, branch of military service and a thank you for "advancing the universal hope of freedom and liberty for all."
The veterans also received a small American flag and a pin commemorating their military branch.
"This is a small way to honor our veterans who sometimes never got any recognition. We thought this would be a good event to say, 'Thanks,'" said Mike Wilson, executive director of SCOPE Senior Services.
Veteran pin and recognition ceremonies took place in previous years, but the pandemic put a halt to in-person ceremonies.
"We used to conduct these prior to COVID. This will be the first ceremony since that time thanks to HarmonyCares Hospice stepping up as a sponsor," Wilson said.
Prior to the distribution of certificates and military pins, the 25 service men and women and their families were entertained by members of the Senior Showcase group.
Singer and SCOPE staff member Carol Bovee performed "God Bless the USA." USO tap dancers Jennifer D'Agati, Janice Ruggiero and Leslie Wilkinson danced to "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy."
Ruggiero said she made the outfits that she and the other two dancers wore. Previously, the dresses were Halloween costumes.
Each service person was called to the front of the stage and given their certificate, pin and flag while family, friends and Warren Mayor Doug Franklin, Trumbull County Commissioner Niki Frenchko and state Rep. Nick Santucci, R-Howland, looked on.
John Turner of Howland is a veteran of three military branches.
"I joined the Army 120 days before graduation in my home state of West Virginia," Turner said.
After his stint in the Army, he joined the Air Force, where he served in the Air National Guard and as a Reservist. He also is a U.S. Navy veteran.
"I was in the military for a total of 33 years. I joined different branches of service because I wanted to experience them all," Turner said.
The ceremony concluded with refreshments.
The veterans who attended the event said they were happy to be recognized and felt the ceremony showed they were appreciated for the sacrifices they made during their military enlistments.