photo by: Craig Howell

Pictured are some of the banners now on display at the Brooke-Hancock County Veterans Memorial Park memorializing local service members who were prisoners of war, missing in action, or killed in action.

Beginning in 2016, an effort was launched in Weirton to recognize the military service of the men and women who have called the city home.

In the years since, more than 500 banners have hung from utility poles throughout the community, showcasing many of the hometown veterans, but now many of those who were taken prisoner or made the ultimate sacrifice while serving will have a permanent home to be remembered.

In a ceremony Tuesday morning, residents gathered at the Brooke-Hancock County Veterans Memorial Park to dedicate a group of banners memorializing the service of those from the city who were either prisoners of war, missing in action, or killed in action.

“We have 10 poles we had installed,” explained Ward 1 Councilman Tim Connell, a veteran of the U.S. Navy who has been among those leading the veterans banner program since its inception.

Thirteen banners were on display Tuesday, with Connell noting there currently is room for 20, but he and others fully expect more to be added and encourages those with family who qualify to reach out.

The banners now hanging at the park depict Army Pfc. Joseph P. Costello, KIA, Korean War; Marine Cpl. Mark D. Cool, KIA, Vietnam; Army Pfc. Guy Ceraolo, POW, World War II; Army Air Corps Lt. John J. Zidzak, KIA, World War II; Navy SN Graydon Lynn Allen, POW/MIA World War II; Army Pfc. Dominic J. Tassey, POW/MIA World War II; Army Pfc. Paul Louis Salerno, KIA, Vietnam; Army Pfc. Roy B. Blankenship, KIA, Korea; Army Pvt. Angelo Canei, KIA during the D-Day Invasion World War II; Army Sgt. John David Olenick, KIA, Vietnam; Army Air Forces E-6 John J. Jackson, POW, Germany World War II; Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. David M. Harris, POW, Germany World War II; Army Cpl. Joseph E. Spetek, POW/MIA World War II.

Marc Harris, brother of Weirton Mayor Dean Harris, served as the guest speaker, discussing some of their father’s time in the European theater of World War II, most of which he only learned through his own research.

Second Lt. David M. Harris was in the Army Air Forces, serving with the 44th Bomber Group.

“When he went off to the war, I don’t think he had even been in a plane,” Harris said, noting his father would become a navigator.

During the group’s 16th mission on June 21, 1944, his plane was shot down over Berlin and he was among those taken prisoner and transported to Stalag Luft III in Poland, where he was held until January 1945, when he and others were moved before the arrival of Soviet forces.

“Over the next two to three days, they marched 77 miles,” Harris said.

He was taken to another camp, being held there until April 1945, when forces, under the command of Gen. George S. Patton liberated the site.

Del. Mark Zatezalo, R-Hancock, also spoke, recalling being able to watch the development of the Veterans Park since its founding in 1997, and encouraged those in attendance to remember the memorial is about the people who served.

George E. Ash, Sr. served as the event’s master of ceremonies, which also included a proclamation from Mayor Dean Harris, musical performances by Carrie Oliver-Shultz, a blessing by the Rev. Dennis Schuelkens Jr., and a reading of a poem, written by Gary Lilly, called “Veterans: For Everything You’ve Done.”