Names were read, and a bell tolled to remember lives taken too soon.

 

A veteran or family member placed a rose in memory of the men from Columbiana County who were Killed in Action in Vietnam. Members of the Army, Navy, and US Marine Corps who paid the ultimate price for our country.

 

"All together including the two Medal of Honor winners, we have 33 in Columbiana County that were killed in Vietnam. There are still a couple of them Missing in Action, said Allen Dickens, Historian for American Legion Post 131 in Leetonia.

 

A nephew was here to remember his uncle Daniel Samuel Ferry, who was around 20 when he was Killed in Action.

 

" It's always important to remember the servicemen. They gave up their time, some of them gave up their life to protect this country, and that should be recognized," Fred Bruderly from Leetonia said.

 

 Two young men from Columbiana County who were Killed in Action were posthumously honored with our nation's highest military award from the President, for going to extraordinary lengths to save others. 

 

U.S. Marine Melvin Earl Newlin was awarded the Medal of Honor in July 1967 for gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine gunner. 

 

Alan Dickens and Bob Cooper placed a red rose in memory of their classmate Melvin Newlin.

 

Newlin is buried in Wellsville Cemetery.

 

U.S. Marine Ralph Ellis Dias was awarded the Medal of Honor in November 1969.

 

Dias initiated an aggressive assault against an enemy machine-gun bunker while being shot several times. When unable to walk, he crawled to throw a grenade to destroy an enemy position, which saved many lives. 

 

 

Those who paid the ultimate price for our country were given a salute, a rifle volley took place, taps were said, and then a prayer. 

 

"We just want to honor those before they maybe fade into history, because we've had other conflicts since Vietnam and it seems to be sort of a forgotten war, and we just want to keep their memories alive," Dickens emphasized. 

 

 This is the second Annual Laying of the Roses Ceremony in Columbiana County

 

The American Legion has secured enough locations or venues to host the vent through 2027.