Staff Sgt. Billy Cook, a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, brought his family to the Army birthday and welcome home ceremony in Washington Park Friday. Tara Cook calls her husband’s 15 months in Iraq “a really long tour,” and worse for her than his more recent year in Afghanistan. Cook’s wife and three children are happy he's serving stateside as a recruiter now.
Retired Major Sario Caravalho spoke of his three tours in Vietnam and the special men with whom he served during a salute to Vietnam era veterans.
All veterans, family and friends were encouraged to attend the celebration in Washington Park as colleges, businesses and military sponsors distributed food and information. Speakers honored military heroes. Veterans of Foreign Wars of Ohio Charities provided cake and cupcakes for the crowd.