Edison to honor Korean War vets

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PIQUA — Korean War Era veterans of the Miami Valley will be honored at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, in the Robinson Theater at Edison State Community College. The public is invited to this free tribute.

The Piqua VFW Post 4874 will provide lunch for all guests beginning at 11:30 a.m., while Thienn Snipps, led by former Edison State professor and Vietnam veteran Larry Dragosavac, performs patriotic songs.

A week prior to the program, Edison State honor student and Sidney native Riley Pollard, accompanied by Korean War veteran Weldon Oakley, will make presentations to 150 Upper Valley Career Center government students who will be special guests at the event. Pollard will acquaint the students with the history of the Korean War, the novel “M* A* S*H” by Korean War surgeon Dr. Richard Hornberger, and the oral history of Piqua attorney Ben Hiser, who served as a medic in the war.

Oakley, of Sidney, is one of three Korean War veterans who will share their experiences with the audience on Nov. 10. Veterans Fred Shively and Don Motter, both of Piqua, will join him. They, along with veteran Dale Snyder and Joe Boetz will have displays of their war artifacts on display.

“We honored World War II and Vietnam Era veterans during 2015, and I am expecting tremendous community support for this initiative,” Dr. Vivian Blevins, Edison State professor and producer of the program said. “Many of these veterans feel that their war is the forgotten war, and we want to recognize their important service to our country.”

Urbana University Professor Ryan Enlow will deliver a mini-lecture on today’s threat from North Korea.

The Piqua American Legion Elite Color Guard will post the colors; the Ohio Patriot Guard will form a flag tunnel; and the Piqua Ohio National Guard Transportation Company will perform an American flag retirement at the conclusion of the program.

The Patriotic Pin-Ups will present roses to the spouses and widows of Korean War Era veterans, and photographer James Smith will take portraits of Korean War Era veterans beginning at 11 a.m. in Room 057, courtesy of the Piqua Community Foundation.

Piqua City Manager and Army veteran Gary Huff and Piqua Mayor Kazy Hinds will read a proclamation honoring Korean War Era veterans.

For more information or to reserve a portrait time slot, contact Blevins at [email protected] or call (937) 778-3815.

Courtesy photo Edison State honor student Riley Poland tries on veteran Weldon Oakley’s office jacket and hat from the Korean War.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_KoreanWarVet.jpgCourtesy photo Edison State honor student Riley Poland tries on veteran Weldon Oakley’s office jacket and hat from the Korean War.

Staff report

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