A solemn scene unfolded in downtown Youngstown, as veterans, families, and local organizations gathered at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for the annual Laying of the Roses ceremony. The event honors Mahoning County residents who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War.

Organizers and attendees placed roses at the base of the memorial wall, each flower representing a life lost. Veterans organizations like the Marine Corps League and AMVETS helped lead the tribute, which included an honor guard, reflections, and emotional moments of silence.

“We have to honor them, because of what they did for our country,” said Chester Kaschak, a Mahoning County native and member of the Marine Corps League. “Our country is free because of them. May they rest in peace. God bless them.”

Dozens of names line the memorial wall — names that carry weight for fellow veterans like John P. Brown III, who served two tours in Vietnam and now helps lead local AMVETS efforts. He described the event as a powerful reminder of the lives lost.

“Every year we lay a rose for every young man who gave his life,” Brown said. “Being part of this is a great feeling. I was fortunate to come home, raise a family, and now help take care of other veterans in our community.”

For many, the ceremony is more than just a tradition — it's a promise to never forget.