Vets group gets money for medals

By PAMELA BRUST, pbrust@newsandsentinel.com
PARKERSBURG — Wood County commissioners voted Monday to donate $1,000 to the veterans medal replacement program, to make sure vets who earned medals for their military service receive those honors.

Gary Farris, director with the Veterans Museum of the Mid-Ohio Valley, asked the county officials to consider contributing $1,200 to the project.

“We have a number of local vets who did not receive their medals. Many World War II veterans didn’t get their medals after the war because of a shortage of brass. Vietnam veterans were told they could buy their own medals. A lot of Korean War veterans also didn’t receive their medals. So we started this program. The government many times doesn’t follow through. Some of these veterans have been told for three or four years they would receive their medals, but have not. One veteran who is a Marine and Vietnam veteran was told he wasn’t eligible, but we have copies of his discharge papers showing he was in Vietnam. We expect many of these to be turned down. There was a fire in St. Louis and many of the WWII veteran’s records were destroyed,” Farris said.

“We are going to have a ceremony in August or September. The Army, Navy and Marines have agreed to be there to formally present these medals to the veterans or their families in the event they have passed away. If the medals are not forthcoming from the government, we are trying to raise the money to buy them. They run between $15 and $50 each. We’re up to about 70 medals right now,” he said.

“We just want to make sure we honor these people. Some of the vets have died, and their families want the medals and we want to make sure we get them on their behalf,” Farris said.

Farris said one vet is entitled to a Bronze Star.

In making the motion to appropriate $1,000 for the project, Commissioner Blair Couch said “this is a very worthwhile project.

“We appreciate your doing this,” commission President Bob Tebay said.

The veteran’s museum is located at 937 Avery St., Parkersburg.

The facility opened to the public in July 2006.

The museum includes military displays including photographs, letters, uniforms and artifacts.

There is also a library of books and videos for students to complete special research and learning activities.

A docent program is also available which trains junior high and high school students who then serve as volunteer tour hosts.