Medina County remembers those killed in action

MEDINA — A bell was rung in memory of each of the Medina County residents who were killed in action as part of a Memorial Day ceremony in Medina on Monday. The ceremony was hosted by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 385 and held at the Medina County Vietnam Memorial at 210 Northland Drive. The event also featured wreath laying, a rifle volley and taps. Sgt. of Arms Rich Malone said Vietnam Veterans of America is a nationally chartered group that was formed in Medina in the 1980s. The group originally started its name reading tradition with the 33 names of Medina County residents who died in the Vietnam War, and then they expanded the scope of the ceremony a few years ago. "No one else was really doing it that we knew of in the area, so we started reading the names of the other veterans," Vice President Dave Zeleznak said. "It's World War I to Korea to Afghanistan to Iraq as a remembrance of those that lost their lives from Medina County." The following number of people from Medina County were killed in action in each war: World War I: 1 World War II: 64 Korean War: 4 Vietnam War: 33 Afghanistan War: 1 Iraq War: 2 "They're the ones that left," Malone said. "They gave up everything. They left their homes, their families, their wives, went over there and fought these wars for us. They're not here with us today, and we feel their families have the right to hear their name, and we should remember them by name." Monday's event is one of two ceremonies held each year at the memorial, Zeleznak said. A vigil is held in the fall where candles are lit for each war in remembrance of those who are prisoners of war or missing in action. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.