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Your Morning Matters: Honoring true patriots

By Mark Sweetwood and Jeremy Harper

Good morning and welcome to your Morning Matters.

It's Friday, May 28, 2021, and here we go on the first big holiday weekend of the COVID-19 vaccination era. There is so much excitement that we're not locked down, that travel is possible and we who are vaccinated can safely visit our vaccinated relatives. But I fear something might be overlooked.

It's Memorial Day weekend. And while the term "patriot" seems to have been hijacked a bit lately, often used as the escape hatch for boorish behavior, let's be clear: Those who died in the defense of our country are the true patriots. In the Valley, there is no shortage of memorials, should you choose a moment of reflection over the next few days. The Vindy Archives has a great list we put together a few years ago, "Soldiers Monuments in the Valley." Here are a few worth noting, courtesy of the Historical Marker Database.

  • Civil War Soldiers' Monument: "The figure atop the Soldiers' Monument has looked over Youngstown's Central Square since 1870."
  • The Civil War/Morgan's Surrender: "This stone marks the spot where the Confederate raider Gen. John H. Morgan surrendered his command to Maj. George W. Rue July 26, 1863, and is the farthest point north ever reached by any body of Confederate troops during the Civil War."
  • World War I Memorial: Dedicated to the men and women of Columbiana County who answered our country's call during the period of World War I.
  • World War II/Four Heroic Chaplains: "The S.S. Dorchester was torpedoed Feb. 3, 1943. As it sank, the four were seen linked arm in arm, heads uplifted in prayer."
  • The Vietnam War Memorial: "This memorial is dedicated by the people of Mahoning County to honor forever those who served, those who gave their lives, and those who remain missing in action."

There will be no Morning Matters newsletter Monday so that the team can take some well-deserved time off. We'll still update the website as news requires, and the afternoon newsletter will keep you current. Have a safe weekend, and we'll see you right back here Tuesday.

Now, here's what you need to know about the Mahoning Valley today:

So, there's a lot to do heading into the Memorial Day weekend. If you haven't looked at it lately, check out our complete events listing.

Also, in today's Weekend Matters, the highlights include Jann Klose performing at JR'z Pub, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers' home stand at Eastwood Field and the Jewish Community Center's open house. Now, let's hope the weather forecasters are wrong and we get a chance to head outside!

Pandemic facts

  • In the U.S.: 33,213,516 confirmed cases; 593,176 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University & Medicine at 9 p.m. May 27.
  • In Ohio: 1,100,312 confirmed or suspected cases; 19,753 deaths.
  • In Pennsylvania: 1,199,536 confirmed cases; 27,163 deaths.
  • In the Mahoning Valley: 22,112 confirmed or suspected cases in Mahoning County; 16,371 in Trumbull; and 8,959 in Columbiana.
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: Closed at 34,464.64, up 141.59 points, or 0.41 percent.

Other matters

President Joe Biden has yet to visit Voltage Valley, but Voltage Valley visited him Thursday. Rick Stockburger, president and CEO of BRITE Energy Innovators in Warren, was in Cleveland on Thursday for Biden's remarks on the U.S. economy. Mahoning Matters

Can a man legally be assumed to be the biological father of a child — even if he is not? Well, as he tells us in "Your Legal Rights" this week, The concept of "presumed paternity" falls into that category and is the topic of professor David Betras' Mahoning Matters lecture for this week. Mahoning Matters

In her first media appearance since becoming Ohio's first Vax-a-Millionaire, 22-year-old Abbigail Bugenske said, "It feels like this is happening to a different person." Mahoning Matters

Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past is planning a Sunday rally at the Mahoning County Courthouse to commemorate the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's murder. Mahoning Matters

Youngstown's Board of Control approved awarding $50,000 from the COVID-19 Business Stabilization Program to five companies: Santisi Wholesale Foods, Westside Bowl, Whistle & Keg LLC, W.C. Zabel Co. and Cinemanix. The Business Journal [May require registration.]

The Ohio Supreme Court has decided not to allow a recall vote for Newton Falls 4th Ward Councilwoman Sandra Breymaier to go forward June 1. WFMJ

Operators of The Chophouse, a Howland restaurant closed since a fire in mid-April, are now eyeing a date to reopen in mid-July. WFMJ

For the fourth week in a row, the owners of Southern Park Mall have extended an agreement to allow them to pay off their debt. A forbearance agreement entered into with lenders has been extended to June 2. WKBN

Wheatland Tube plans to invest $30 million at its Dietz Road NE steel pipe and tube plant to support growing industry demand and improve worker safety. The Vindicator [May encounter paywall.]

In case you missed it

After more than a year spent battling a deadly, once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic, health districts in smaller cities across Ohio — including several in the Mahoning Valley — may soon face consolidation driven by the state Legislature. Mahoning Matters

Your comments matter

"Thank you for getting the vaccine and thus supporting your own and our communities' health."

— Daphne Carr, on Abbigail Bugenske and Joseph Costello, Ohio's first Vax-a-Million winners.

Registered readers can comment on a selection of our stories, and all readers can comment on stories on our Facebook page. Opinions published here do not reflect the views of Mahoning Matters.

Event of the day

Bluesman Tab Benoit will return to Warren for a special socially distanced concert at 8 p.m. at Robins Theatre, 160 E. Market St. Whiskey Bayou Revue featuring Alastairs Greenes will open the show. For tickets, click here.

To see what else is going on around the Mahoning Valley, check out Mahoning Matters' event calendar here, or click the Events tab on the top menu at mahoningmatters.com.

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This story was originally published May 28, 2021 at 6:55 AM with the headline "Your Morning Matters: Honoring true patriots."