'They gave their lives for us': Banners along Lincoln Way honor western Stark veterans

Amy L. Knapp, The Independent
·9 min read
Massillon Safety Department employee Scott Pettry hangs a banner of one of Massillon's deceased veterans along Lincoln Way in downtown Massillon. Fifteen banners featuring 29 veterans will be on display. Additional banners with active military members and living veterans will be added next month as part of a program to honor service members from western Stark County.

MASSILLON – It's been nearly 11 years since U.S. Marine Sgt. Daniel Patron gave his life for his country in Afghanistan.

For his family, it feels like yesterday.

"I think about him every day," said the marine's uncle, Dave Patron. "It's hard to put into words for those of us that lost a loved one killed in action. For my family, Memorial Day is every day."

More: Ultimate guide: Memorial Day events in and around Stark County

Patron was one of dozens of family members who gathered this week as city workers put up banners along Lincoln Way to honor deceased veterans.

It's part of an effort spearheaded by the city to memorialize and honor western Stark County veterans and active military members.

Ahead of Memorial Day, 15 5-foot banners featuring 29 deceased veterans, including Patron, have been hung along Lincoln Way. A different veteran is on each side.

Additional banners of living veterans and active military members will be hung next month, city officials said.

Sponsorship for a veteran is $75.

Dave Patron, uncle of U.S. Marine Sgt. Daniel J Patron, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2011, takes a photo of his nephew's banner as it is hung along Lincoln Way in downtown Massillon. The city has put up 15 5-foot banners featuring 29 deceased service members ahead of Memorial Day. Additional banners honoring living veterans and active military members will be added later.

Lincoln Way banners showcase veteran memories, heroism

City Safety-Service Director Barb Sylvester said her daughter, Anita Combs, and her husband, Jerrod, an Army veteran, brought the idea to city officials.

During a trip to Hocking Hills they had dinner in a nearby town and observed banners with military members.

"Mayor Kathy (Catazaro-Perry) thought it was a wonderful idea," Combs said. "She loves her veterans and she has the (city's) patriotic committee. This makes me really proud."

Besides her husband, both of Combs' grandfathers served. Her great uncle was a decorated soldier who received a Silver Star for saving a pilot under Japanese fire during World War II.

Comb's grandfather, Rocco Sylvester, served aboard the USS Yorktown during the Korean War.

Sylvester said the recognition means the world to him.

"It's just exceptional, especially for the World War II veterans that are no longer here today," the 89-year-old Perry Township man said. "That's what Memorial Day is all about."

Patron agrees.

"When you look at the troubles around the world, it's the ugly reality of where we are at," he said. "There are not enough words to honor and remember those who died in service to the country and the sacrifices they made and what they did for all of us," he said.

Donna Gamary knows it is important to remember all veterans, including her husband, Ernest Gamary.

"He never talked about his time (in the service) except for the friends he made," she said.

Gathered with her daughter, Gayle Lynch, and her son, David, the group reminisced about his stories of how rough it was making the trip to Germany, where he was stationed.

"The storms were so bad. They were having spaghetti and the meatballs were rolling across the ship," Gayle Lynch recalled with a giggle.

Banners recognize Massillon area veterans

Diana Grim's husband, Russell, was injured in Vietnam.

When the Purple Heart-honored Army soldier returned home, he dedicated his life to helping veterans coming through the unemployment office.

"He was glad he served, but there was survivor's guilt," Diana Grim said. "He would say (this is) to honor the ones that didn't come back. They were the heroes, the ones that died."

John Eick returned from Vietnam but was never the same, his brother Edgar Eick said. John Eick died of cancer in 1993 after being exposed to Agent Orange, his brother said.

Surrounded by her children and other family members, Sharla Rohrbaugh, John Eick's widow, said her husband was a humble man but would be pleased to see the tribute to him and his fellow servicemen.

Sharla Rohrbaugh, widow of veteran John Eick, becomes emotional while talking about her husband. She is comforted by her daughter, Vonda Smith, right, and sister-in-law, Cheryl Eick.
Sharla Rohrbaugh, widow of veteran John Eick, becomes emotional while talking about her husband. She is comforted by her daughter, Vonda Smith, right, and sister-in-law, Cheryl Eick.

"It means a lot to me," she added.

Between the drops of tears, there was laughter between Jeaninne Mutersbaugh and her stepdaughter, Candy George.

Mutersbaugh's husband of 44 years - Army private Charles Mutersbaugh - was memorialized in a banner outside of the Krackpots Comedy Club.

"It's the perfect spot," George said. "He was a jokester."

Jeanine Mutersbaugh, right, and her stepdaughter, Candy George, remember Charles Mutersbaugh. After his death, the family learned Charles Mutersbaugh was a hero saving his unit from enemy fire and earning a Silver Star.
Jeanine Mutersbaugh, right, and her stepdaughter, Candy George, remember Charles Mutersbaugh. After his death, the family learned Charles Mutersbaugh was a hero saving his unit from enemy fire and earning a Silver Star.

Like many other service members, Mutersbaugh didn't talk much about his service during the Korean War. They knew he kept a Silver Star and Purple Heart locked in a safe, but they never knew how he earned the medals until after his passing.

"He was a hero," his widow said as tears ran down her cheeks. "He saved the men in his unit. He held off the enemy. He was proud of his service and said he was glad that he served."

Tribute: Stark County honors Vietnam War-era veterans with special tribute

More: Book highlights Air Corps veteran Robert Kidder, of Jackson Township

Every day Doris Lonas gets to look at her husband, Herman, in a large oil painting in his Marine uniform. Now she can share his handsome face with motorists traveling Lincoln Way.

It's fitting that his memorial banner is outside of Chase bank. The couple, who were married for 64 years before his death in 2017, met while Doris Lonas was working at the bank, then known as First National Bank.

Doris Lonas, widow of Herman Lonas, talks about the banner honoring her late husband. His banner is hung in front of Chase bank. The couple met at the bank when Doris Lonas worked at the former First National Bank and helped him access his safety deposit box.
Doris Lonas, widow of Herman Lonas, talks about the banner honoring her late husband. His banner is hung in front of Chase bank. The couple met at the bank when Doris Lonas worked at the former First National Bank and helped him access his safety deposit box.

"I was the secretary to the president and he came in to see his safety deposit box," she recalled. "He owned Herm and Ray's service station."

Her husband, a 1946 Washington High School graduate, would be so proud to be honored by his hometown.

Monica Weich joined the other families to see the banners for her father, Joseph Painter, and her father-in-law, Ralph Weick.

She hopes the tribute will help those who see the banners remember America's greatness.

"They gave their lives for us," she said.

A city of patriots

Terry Roan, who is active in the city's patriotism committee as well as local veterans organizations, said Massillon is one of the most patriotic places he's encountere. Roan also has organized the city's Memorial Day parade for the past 53 years.

"It's unbelievable," he said. "The town gets behind its veterans and anything patriotic. When you watch a (Massillon) football game as soon as the color guard hits the field, everyone stands no matter what is going on."

His hope is the banners will spark curiosity among younger residents as well as induce pride in the country.

The city will host a Memorial Day parade at 9:30 a.m. Monday. The parade steps off at Eighth Street NE and Lincoln Way E and travels to Veterans Memorial Park, where the annual ceremony will be held around 10:30 a.m.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com 

On Twitter: @aknappINDE

Honoring military members 

Massillon's veteran banner program honors those who have served. Fifteen 5-foot banners featuring 29 deceased veterans were put up along Lincoln Way ahead of Memorial Day. In a few weeks, additional banners honoring active and living veterans will be installed along Lincoln Way.

Listed are deceased service members, including branch of service, enlistment period, combat dates and rank

  • Arthur D. Bader,  Army, July 3, 1943, to March 12, 1946, and Dec. 16, 1944, to Jan. 24, 1946,  technician fourth grade

  • Ernest Gamary,  Army, 1951 to 1953, n/a, corporal

  • Joseph Ambrosic, Army, 1963 to 1966, n/a, specialist 4

  • Joseph Jude Painter, Army USAR ORD, 1952 to 1954, Korean War, sergeant/ assistant chaplain

  • Ralph A. Weick, Army Air Corps, 1942 to 1946, World War II, corporal

  • Ronald L. Styer, Air Force, June 1965 to August 1968, Vietnam War, airman first class

  • Laverne W. Henry, Navy, 1954 to 1958, n/a, radio operator

  • Herman F. Lonas, Marine Corps, 1948 to 1952, Korean War, staff sergeant

  • James Bittner Jr., Navy, April 4, 1951, to March 18, 1955, Korean War, machinist mate 2

  • Bud Krier, Marine Corps, Sept. 16, 1959, to Sept. 13, 1963, n/a, lance corporal

  • Russell Joseph Grim, Army, no dates provided, specialist 4

  • Charles M. Mutersbaugh, Army, March 15, 1950, to June 19, 1953, May 19, 1951, private 1

  • Michael P. Mitchell, Army, 1950 to 1989, 1951 to 1952, chief warrant officer 4

  • William H. Wilson, Army, January 1943 to January 1946,  August 1944 to December 1945, private first class

  • John Eick, Army, 1968, n/a, private first class

  • Frederick E. Johnson, Army, 1966 to 1969, 1967 to 1968, specialist

  • Ted E. Johnson, Army, March 1969 to September 1970,  September 1969 to September 1970, specialist 5

  • William F. Coyne, Marine Corps, Dec. 31, 1965, to Jan. 11, 1967, n/a, lance corporal

  • Brandon Argabright, Army, Aug. 16, 2010, to Jan. 29, 2013, n/a, private first class

  • Dennis J. Coyne, Army, 1962 to 1965, n/a, specialist 4

  • Ernest Sarbaugh, Army, 1965 to 1967, n/a, specialist 4

  • Robert A. McGlynchey, Army, November 1943 to September 1944, June to September 1944, private first class, KIA

  • Daniel J. Patron, Marine Corps, 2003 to 2011, 2005-2011, sergeant, KIA

  • Jerry L Gowins, Navy, March 11, 1952, to March 11, 1960, n/a, ensign E2

  • Edward P. Elum, Army, 1937 to 1946, 1941 to 1943, sergeant

  • George D. Turkal, Army, November 1942 to November 1945, n/a, technical sergeant

  • Donald W. Sheffler, Army, 1950 to 1952, n/a, sergeant first class (T)

  • James Scott, Army, 1942 to 1945 (World War II), n/a, corporal

  • Jack T. Cody, Army, July 15, 1950, to October 22, 1952, Korean War 1950-1952, corporal

The following are active and living veterans that will be honored with banners next month.

  • Jerrod Combs, Army, 2012 to 2016, January 2015 to October 2015, specialist, reserve

  • John Olenzak, Army, March 1968 to April 1972, April 1970 to April 1971, captain, veteran

  • Adam J. Johnson, Navy, 2000 to 2004, 2001 to 2004, petty officer second class, veteran

  • Rocco R. Sylvester, Navy, 1951 to 1955, 1953 to 1954, SK3, veteran

  • Scott Allen McCamish, Air Force, August 1981 to October 1994, E5 staff sergeant, veteran

  • Trevor Bittner, Navy, 2013 to present, n/a, lieutenant, active

  • Richard T. Kettler, Air Force, 1966 to 1971, October 1970 to September 1971, captain, veteran

  • Lee Pigott, Navy, March 13, 1944, to May 5, 1946, WWII Pacific theater, seaman first class, veteran

  • Harold J. Sasavicz, Army, 1967 to 1969, n/a, specialist E4, veteran

  • Terry Roan, Navy, 1966 to 1968, August 1967 to June 1968, seaman, veteran,

  • Robert D. Walnoha, Army, 1961 to 1967, 1962 to 1963, specialist 4, veteran

  • Rollie Layfield, Army, 1968 to 1970, 1969 to 1970, specialist 5, veteran    

  • James Wood, Marine Corps, 1963 to 1969, n/a, sergeant, veteran    

  • Tillman Manuel III, Army, 1978 to 1998, 1989 to 1995, sergeant first class E7, retired

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Banner project aims to recognize west Stark vets, active military