Colors of Honor of Medina County three-day event begins

BRUNSWICK — More than 100 flags are placed in front of Cuyahoga Community College's Brunswick campus for the Colors of Honor of Medina County event this weekend. There are 100 American flags on site, with military flags in front of the American flags and a veteran flag to their right. To the immediate left, there are also first responder flags lined up. The three-day event is sponsored by the Medina County Veterans Memorial Fund. It is an official 50th Anniversary Commemoration event, which marks the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War's end. On Friday afternoon, Medina County Veterans Service Office Director Ed Zackery kicked off the weekend's opening ceremony. Presenting the colors were members of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines of Brookpark. Brunswick Mayor Ron Falconi spoke during the opening ceremony, sharing the importance of the colors of honor. He said each flag represents the people in America of different backgrounds and different walks of life, who are bound together by the same freedom. "May this display, the colors of honor, inspire us not just to remember, but to live in a way that honors their service by cherishing our freedoms, by protecting our communities and by standing together as one nation under God," Falconi said. Medina County Veterans Memorial Fund President Joe Destro spoke briefly about the three-day event and its purpose. He said that during the event planning, the organizers decided to honor not only veterans but also first responders. "What the veterans do and what first responders do is not a whole lot different," Destro said. "They put their lives on the line for their community." Destro said that during the closing ceremony on Sunday, they will read the name of each Medina County resident who has died in the service of their community, recognizing veterans and first responders. After the opening ceremony, many people visited a tent where the Medina County Vietnam Historical Project was on display. The historical project is a series of 33 panels, with each panel dedicated to one of the 33 men who died in Vietnam from Medina County. The project also displays the headlines from the United States and Medina County on that day. People will be able to look at the historical project during other events throughout the weekend. The schedule for the remainder of the event is: Prayer breakfast from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. today. All veterans with an ID card and first responders in uniform will receive free breakfast. Meet the police and fire department, face painting and a balloon toss from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. today. Johnny Rock Dog concert and ice cream social from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and snacks. Tribute to Vietnam veterans from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Closing ceremony from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Taps will sound every night at approximately 10 p.m. Funds raised from the event will go to the Medina County Veterans Memorial Fund, Zackery previously said. The fund has given back to veterans since its inception 10 years ago. To learn more about the event, visit www.medinacountyveterans.org/events/colors-of-honor. Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or scrawford@medina-gazette.com.