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Salem Kiwanis honors local veterans

By MORGAN AHART 2 min read
Kiwanians and members of the Salem Key Club recently served veterans at the sixth annual Kiwanis Veterans Luncheon at the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall. Shown from left in the rear row are Ben Wolf, Zoila Ixcoy, Rossy Sebastian Domingo, and Meridith Powel. Shown from left in the second row are Maribel Ixcoy Mejia, Baleria Perez, Khloe Davis, Austin Bell, and Asher Double. Shown from left in the front row are Doug Falk, Doreen Ziegler, Kim Plumm, Lisa Slipkovich, Debbie Leggett, Dana Smith, Betty Brothers, and Joy Tullis. (Submitted photo by Debbie Leggett)

SALEM -- Salem Kiwanis recently hosted local veterans for a special luncheon in their honor.

The sixth annual Kiwanis Veterans Luncheon at the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall and featured an opening and closing ceremony with color guard, a raffle for a wooden American Flag, and remarks by Master Sgt. Calvin Marshall.

Attending veterans and a guest of their choice were treated to a meal of spaghetti and meatballs with choice of white or red sauce, salad, bread and dessert prepared by First Christian Church, and served by members of the Salem Key Club and Kiwanians. The luncheon also featured information from veteran resource organizations including the Columbiana and Mahoning County Veteran's Services Administration, Honor Flight, and Xterra Health.

Marshall joined the U.S. Army in 1987 as a Combat Telecommunications Center Operator serving just under eight years. In 2001 he joined the U.S. Air Force where he served initially in air transportation and later as Mission Support Group Assistant Career Advisor. Marshal currently serves as First Sergeant of the 910 Force Support Squadron at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.

"Master Sgt. Marshall's years of service, both in uniform and in his civilian career, demonstrate a lasting dedication to duty, county and community," Salem Kiwanis Co-President Debbie Leggett said.

Leggett said that roughly 90 veterans were in attendance, and attendees were also presented with a ceremonial pin honoring their service. Veterans were also invited to take home a painting made by the children of Xterra Health staff members. Xterra Chief of Staff Andrew Wolfgang said that the paintings had been made over the summer as part of a project to celebrate the nations semisesquicentennial and to show their gratitude for the sacrifices made by veterans.

"It was something we did over the summer to keep kids engaged with the 250th anniversary and veteran's issues. When I go to events, I bring them with us as tokens of appreciation," Wolfgang said.

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