MARYSVILLE Fighting 20 mph winds that made staying steady a monumental chore, the 93-year-old World War II soldier and the 74-year-old sailor who served in Vietnam walked together to the lowered flags that honored comrades who had paid the price of war with their freedom.
Then Army veteran Joe Melish and Navy veteran Joel Denman together helped to raise the American flag and the POW/MIA flag to the top of the pole in front of Walnut Crossing Assisted Living Community.
The pair then turned and saluted as an American Legion honor guard fired a three-volley salute and a lone bugler played taps, all part of a solemn ceremony Friday in honor of National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day.
By HOLLY ZACHARIAH | The Columbus Dispatch | Published: April 9, 2021 MARYSVILLE, Ohio (Tribune News Service) Fighting 20 mph winds that made staying steady a monumental chore, the 93-year-old World War II soldier and the 74-year-old sailor who served in Vietnam walked together to the lowered flags that honored comrades who had paid the price of war with their freedom. Then Army veteran Joe Melish and Navy veteran Joel Denman together helped to raise the American flag and the POW/MIA flag to the top of the pole in front of Walnut Crossing Assisted Living Community. The pair then turned and saluted as an American Legion honor guard fired a three-volley salute and a lone bugler played taps, all part of a solemn ceremony Friday in honor of National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day.