Rain sends Veterans Day indoors

Bob Morehead

Herald Staff Writer

West Tuscarawas Avenue wasn’t under attack Nov. 11.

A cold November rain forced a hasty relocation of the VFW’s traditional Veterans Day ceremony.

Instead of firing their M-1 blanks across Lake Anna, the rifle squad honoring the vets who didn’t make it home, standing under the VFW’s awning, fired across Tuscarawas Avenue.

The bugler playing taps was also outside. Everything else was in the VFW hall.

Vets enjoyed free coffee and doughnuts, provided by the VFW, and Barberton Mayor William Judge delivered a quick welcome.

U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Coble, from the Army’s Recruiting Command in Medina, delivered a guest address. Coble, a Youngstown-area native and Afghanistan vet, said he was delighted with the opportunity to return to his home state.

HERALD PHOTO/Bob Morehead
U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Coble addresses a modified Barberton Veterans Day observance.

HERALD PHOTOS/Bob Morehead
A squad of volunteers fires a salute at Barberton’s Veterans Day observance.

HERALD PHOTOS/Bob Morehead
Vets, hats in hand, bow in observance of taps.