SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
“Today should be a solemn day but also a day of joy.”
Those were the words of American Legion Post 178 Commander Ken Myers during Monday’s annual Memorial Day ceremony at Woodland Cemetery.
“Today is not about every service member or veteran, it’s about the ones that died defending the flag, this country and the people they loved,” Myers said.
Formerly known as Decoration Day when it began in 1868, it became known as Memorial Day after World War I, then became a standardized national holiday in 1971, when Congress set it for the last Monday of May.
Myers noted 2,100 U.S. flags were placed at the cemetery prior to Monday’s ceremony.
“We as veterans proudly and respectfully placed the colors that paved the way for all of us to gather and remember the ultimate sacrifice they paid for our forefathers and for us,” Myers said.
Myers also took the time to urge those in attendance to support the planned “Walk of Honor” at Memorial Park at the Legion Post on W. Main St.
“We have at the American Legion a wonderful park that we are currently working to add monuments to honor not only those killed in action but the veterans that served during peace time or in conflict,” he said. “We currently have two monuments – one honoring World War I and one that honors World War II, Korean and Vietnam. We have nothing to honor the Persian Gulf or Afghanistan warriors, nor do we have a monument to honor just those who served during peace.”
“Our military is an all-volunteer group of brave men and women coming from all over this country and her territories,” he continued. “With that being said, less than one percent of our population serves in our military.”
(more…)POSTED: 05/30/23 at 3:46 am
Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert was the site of Monday’s annual Memorial Day service, hosted by American Legion Post 178. Several dozen people turned out for the event. Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 05/30/23 at 3:46 am. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
CONVOY — 60 Crestview High School seniors were awarded diplomas on Saturday, as part of the school’s 63rd annual baccalaureate and commencement ceremony held at the Ray Etzler Gymnasium.
During his speech to the graduates, Crestview High School Principal Dave Bowen lauded the notable academic and athletic achievements of the Class of 2023, and noted 72 percent of this year’s class plans to attend college, 22 percent will enter the workforce and six percent will join the military. He also said the class earned more than $1.2 million in grants and scholarships.
“You have stepped up to the challenge both individually and as a class and what you have accomplished is impressive,” Bowen said. “You have personified what we discussed in our opening day assembly back in August – ‘The strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack/’ You have done it as a collective whole when it comes to your accomplishments.”
Class President Connor Tussing and honor students Megan Mosier and Macy Kulwicki made remarks during the ceremony. 17 members of the class earned various honors, including an honors diploma, Crestview Honor Society or Vantage National Technical Honor Society.
The baccalaureate address was given by retired U.S. Coast Guard Commander Jon Kreischer, a 1994 Crestview High School graduate who went on to graduate from the Coast Guard Academy and in 2007 was named Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Liberty.
Graduates and those in attendance were treated to a rendition of “Stand in the Light” by Knight Vision and the senior choir. The piece was directed by Danille Hancock, who is retiring after 35 years in education, and the accompanist was DJ Yinger.
(more…)POSTED: 05/30/23 at 3:45 am. FILED UNDER: News
Smiles were abundant during Saturday’s 63rd annual baccalaureate and commencement ceremony at Crestview High School. The evening featured speakers, music and of course, the awarding of diplomas. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 05/30/23 at 3:45 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
ROCKFORD — The Parkway High School Class of 1968 will celebrate 55 years during a class reunion scheduled for Saturday, September 16. The reunion will be held at the building owned by the Jane (Stephenson) Suzuki family at 4301 U.S. 33, just outside Rockford.
Social time will start at 2 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 5 p.m. Rockford Carryout will cater the meal. A short business meeting will be held at 6 p.m., followed by more fellowship until 9 p.m.
The cost is $20 per person, which covers expenses for the meal, stamps, paper, event space, and memorial cardsvfor when a classmate passes on.
Reservations are due by July 1, and should be sent to: Sherry Adler, 310 Frank Road, Willshire, 45898. In addition, donations will be accepted for the Carey, Benny, and Bill Scholarship Fund.
POSTED: 05/30/23 at 3:44 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles, News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
HENDERSON (KY) — It appears the second inmate who escaped from the Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution in Lima is dead.
During a press conference held late Sunday afternoon, Henderson, Kentucky Police Chief Sean McKinney said the body of Bradley Gillispie, 50, was found in the Ohio River on Sunday.
“Everything that we have seen and done would indicate this is Mr. Gillispie that we recovered,” McKinney told reporters.
McKinney said the body had been spotted by a boater at approximately 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time Sunday. It’s believed his body had been in the water for 4-5 days. He also said an autopsy on the body will be conducted on Tuesday.
McKinney added he believes Gillispie was injured at some point, which may have contributed to his death. However, the cause of death has not yet been determined.
Gillispie was serving a 30-years to life sentence for a double murder in Paulding in 2016.
According to a news release issued by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Gillispie and James Lee, 47, were able to exit the prison after hiding in a dumpster. They were gone for more than 24 hours before prison officials realized they were missing.
Gillispie and Lee stole a car from Auglaize County and were able to cross the state line. They were spotted by officers from the Henderson Police Department on Wednesday and a pursuit ensued. Following the pursuit and a crash, Lee was immediately taken into custody, but Gillespie was able to flee the scene.
The news release also said four prison employees were placed on paid administrative leave as an internal investigation continues.
(more…)POSTED: 05/28/23 at 4:51 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
One of two inmates who escaped from the Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution in Lima remains on the loose, but there are new developments that have come to light.
Bradley Gillispie, 50, was believed to be in the Henderson, Kentucky area after Monday’s escape, a city not far from Evansville, Indiana. Despite a massive ongoing search involving U.S. Marshals and numerous other law enforcement agencies, he remains at-large.
A $21,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his capture. Gillispie is considered to be dangerous and possibly armed. He was serving a 30-year to life sentence for a 2016 double murder in Paulding.
His daughter recorded a video message encouraging Gillespie to turn himself in to local authorities. It was released on Friday and can be watched here.
According to a news release issued Friday evening by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Gillispie and James Lee, 47, were able to exit the prison after hiding in a dumpster. They were gone for more than 24 hours before prison officials realized they were missing. Lee was serving a sentence of more than 10 years for burglary, breaking and entering and safecracking.
The news release also said four prison employees were placed on paid administrative leave as an internal investigation continues. The four employees were identified as Major Carl Bendross and corrections officers Tre’mon Glenn-Crawford, Lain Patterson and Taylor Robey. Additional employees may be placed on leave.
(more…)POSTED: 05/26/23 at 10:43 pm. FILED UNDER: News
The Van Wert Fire Department prepares to battle a blaze at 223 West Second St. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 5:52 p.m. Friday and they arrived to find flames coming from the second floor. No one was home at the time of the blaze. Crews were at the scene for approximately three hours. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer
POSTED: 05/26/23 at 10:43 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
All federal, state and local government offices will be closed for Memorial Day, Monday, May 29. Banks will be closed as well, and no mail will be delivered that day. Trash pickup will be delayed by one day.
As a reminder, American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert will hold its annual Memorial Day service at 11 a.m. Monday at Woodland Cemetery, followed by a free lunch for all at the Legion Hall on W. Main St.
Harvey Lewis Post 346 will hold a service at 10:30 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial at Woodlawn Cemetery. After the program, food will be served in the Ohio City Community Building/Legion Post at Fireman’s Park. Everyone is welcome.
POSTED: 05/26/23 at 10:42 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Fire departments from Middle Point, Van Wert, Grover Hill and Delphos responded to a pole barn fire on Church Road at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Damage to the structure was moderate and most of the farm equipment inside was removed prior to the fire department’s arrival. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer
POSTED: 05/26/23 at 10:41 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
For 68 years the Wassenberg Art Center has hosted the annual June Art Exhibit. The public is invited to this year’s opening reception, from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, June 1.
Chicken Rio sliders, Italian cole slaw, baked beans, chips and cookies will be served, and the show and the food are free. A cash bar will be available.
POSTED: 05/26/23 at 10:40 pm. FILED UNDER: News
