Article Photos

MOUNDSVILLE - Veterans Day took on special meaning Wednesday in Marshall County, where residents will welcome a fallen hero as he returns home for the last time today.

In addition to the traditional community service to honor men and women who have served and sacrificed in America's armed forces, a special tribute was offered for U.S. Army Spc. Julian Berisford, who was killed in the line of duty last week in Afghanistan.

Attendance at the annual event at the All-Veterans Memorial Monument on the lawn of the Marshall County Courthouse was larger than in previous years. And those present, along with other Marshall County residents, are being asked to honor Berisford again today as his body is returned to the county. The Moundsville Rotary Club and other officials have asked that residents line the edges of W.Va. 2 this morning as his body is transported from the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport to Moundsville.

A plane carrying Berisford is expected to land at 9:10 a.m. Marshall County Sheriff John Gruzinskas informed those at the Veteran's Day event that a motorcade will leave the airport, make its way past Blake Brothers American Legion Post No. 46 in Benwood and continue through McMechen. Officials have said students at John Marshall High School likely will head outdoors to salute Berisford's motorcade as it arrives in Glen Dale. The sheriff also noted that many people plan to be at the Marshall County Courthouse in Moundsville to pay their respects to Berisford when the motorcade arrives there.

The Veteran's Day observance Wednesday included remarks by guest speaker Wade "Buddy" Bell Jr., a Glen Dale native. Patriotic music was provided by members of the Moundsville Middle School Band.

The ceremony also included the singing of "God Bless America" by George Burdette, the laying of flowers at the All-Veterans Memorial marker, followed by a 21-gun salute and the playing of "Taps" by the Moundsville Veterans Honor Guard. Bob Blazer of the Sons of the Legion, Moundsville, was the master of ceremonies with Don Chamberlain, Earl Francis Post No. 3 chaplain, giving the invocation. The benediction was offered by the Rev. J. Thomas Steele, pastor of the Moundsville Baptist Church.

Bell, a U.S. Air Force veteran who is currently a faculty member at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, spoke of some his experience in the military, adding that all veterans have memories of their time in the military.

He said he hoped that youngsters would ask a relative or a friend to share some of their military experiences.

He also noted that veterans are bonded through such things as patriotism and adventures and, in some cases, the loss of a fellow veteran.

Blazer called on non-veterans to become involved with veterans organizations, pointing out that such organizations assist not only veterans but their communities as well.

In Wheeling, a Veterans Day observance took place at WesBanco Arena. Pat Duffy, exalted ruler and Americanism chairman for the Wheeling Elks Lodge No. 28, was one featured speaker, along with new Wheeling Police Chief Robert Matheny.

Additional Veterans Day events were held throughout the Upper Ohio Valley in communities like Follansbee, Wellsburg, Woodsfield, Bellaire and Cadiz.