Armondo Montero and Trey Louzy, who will both be freshmen at Robert C. Byrd High School this fall, admit they have to brush up on their American history before class is back in session.
Kenny Sidwell, of Meadowbrook, has both a late-grandfather and uncle who served in the military. Sidwell's grandfather served with the Seabees during World War II.
Spelter's Tony Reinhardt retired after serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as an E-6. He was deployed overseas several times during his service.
Armondo Montero and Trey Louzy, who will both be freshmen at Robert C. Byrd High School this fall, admit they have to brush up on their American history before class is back in session.
Staff photo by Jonathan Weaver
Kenny Sidwell, of Meadowbrook, has both a late-grandfather and uncle who served in the military. Sidwell's grandfather served with the Seabees during World War II.
Staff photo by Jonathan Weaver
Spelter's Tony Reinhardt retired after serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as an E-6. He was deployed overseas several times during his service.
Staff photo by Jonathan Weaver
Doug White, of Nutter Fort, fought with the U.S. Army for five years during the Gulf War.
Staff photo by Jonathan Weaver
Caitlynne Howell, a pool manager in training at Clarksburg Splash Zone, said veterans were honored with a discounted rate Monday.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) — During America’s 246th birthday celebration on the Fourth of July, local residents aimed to remember the freedoms military soldiers and veterans fought for and to protect.
Armondo Montero and Trey Louzy, who will both be freshmen at Robert C. Byrd High School this fall, admit they have to brush up on their American history before class is back in session. However, Montero remembers studying the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
Both Montero and Louzy have grandparents and relatives who served in the military. Montero’s grandfather, Roy, was an x-ray technician in the U.S. Air Force and Louzy’s grandfather and great-grandfather served as well.
“I don’t plan on serving, though. I want to be a chiropractor,” Montero said.
Besides her father-in-law from Grafton serving in the military, Louzy’s mother, Stacey Fox, also has “several” cousins who served in the military. She said the holiday weekend holds special significance for her family.
Kenny Sidwell, of Meadowbrook, has both a late-grandfather and uncle who served in the military. Sidwell’s grandfather served with the Seabees during World War II.
“I thought about (joining the military) a little bit, but ended up getting a job right out of high school and stuck with it,” Sidwell said.
Sidwell tries to show his patriotism in front of wife Kursten and daughters Jolene and Bailee.
“There were a lot of lives lost but a lot gained from it. If not, it’d be a different flag we’d be flying,” Sidwell said.
Spelter’s Tony Reinhardt retired after serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as an E-6. He was deployed overseas several times during his service.
“I wanted to serve my country,” Reinhardt said. “When you see the American flag, you feel proud of it and your country.”
Reinhardt looked forward to spending his holiday grilling with his daughters and extended family and shooting off fireworks.
Doug White, of Nutter Fort, fought with the U.S. Army for five years during the Gulf War. Son Brian served in the U.S. Air Force, including six months at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, and is now part of the Reserves in Arizona.
“It seemed like the thing to do,” White said. “It wasn’t really a family tradition or anything.”
Caitlynne Howell, a pool manager in training at Clarksburg Splash Zone, said veterans were to be honored with a discounted rate Monday.
“I think it’s important to remember all of the veterans and what they’ve done for us,” she said.
Clarksburg Splash Zone will be open from noon — 7 p.m. as usual, weather permitting.
“We’ve been really busy so far this summer, but I think July 4 will be the busiest. I think the pool is a great place to be together and celebrate together,” Howell said. “We’re prepared for it, though.”
Lifeguards also planned to dress in patriotic attire.
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