Thank a veteran, Russell speaker urges

Deftly standing on crutches, World War II veteran Melvin Cruthers remembers how he lost his right leg in battle in September 1944 on Peleliu Island in the South Pacific.

"I was a tool and die guy and I wanted to protect my eyesight and my hands at all cost," he said Sunday. "I was leaning against a bank and I felt my leg going to sleep. I looked down and it was gone."

He spoke at the 38th annual Memorial Day services Sunday at the Briar Hill Cemetery.

Prior to his speech, the crowd was told that if they see an veteran of the armed forces this weekend, remember to thank him or her. In fact, go out of your way to find one to thank.

Even if they veteran shrugs it off, thank them anyway.

It doesn't matter which branch of the service, or whether they saw active duty -- they all sacrificed and served, according to Russell township trustee Jim Dickinson who served in the Army.

Dickinson officiated at the services. The program inside the chapel included war poems, patriotic songs, flag presentations, prayers and a veteran's address.

Ages of attendees ranged from school-age children to great grandparents. Boy Scouts were called upon to present the flags to be dedicated to veterans.

Gold Award Girl Scout Kate Okrez described her project on flag etiquette and disposing of worn flags. A student read the Gettysburg Address.

Veterans from World War II to the Iraq War stood and were recognized when the anthem for their branch of service was played by organist Lynn Mason.

Area veterans who died in the past year were named, Otis Porter, Robert Cable, Richard Mitchell and Robert Wiegand. Surviving family members stood for them.

In his talk, Cruthers said that most of the time the soldiers were fighting the weather and local conditions as much as they were the enemy....