Judge Robert Rusu, left, and Judge James Fredericka, at right, speak with Vietnam veteran Jerry Pascarella of Youngstown at Packard Music Hall.

WARREN — Guardian Angels from the Mahoning Valley came together Sunday to recognize veterans of local nursing homes and assisted living facilities in both counties and to treat them to an afternoon of music at Packard Music Hall.

Judge James Fredericka of Trumbull County Probate Court, and Judge Robert Rusu Jr. of Mahoning County Probate Court and Guardian Angels program volunteers brought residents from 27 assisted living, independent living and nursing homes to the W.D. Packard Band’s Veterans Day tribute concert.

“The Guardian Angels from both counties decided to come together and bring our veterans and residents from area facilities to enjoy a free Packard Band patriotic concert. We contacted many area facilities about this event and received positive response and enthusiasm of what we had planned for Veterans Day,” Fredericka said.

Rusu said in Mahoning County a lot of feedback favored the weekend event to honor veterans and allow nursing home and assisted living residents to get out Sunday afternoon.

“We could not have asked for a beautiful fall day like this to get people out. The Easter Seals bus that brought some people here drove through different areas so residents could see all the fall leaves,” he said.

Residents of Continuing Healthcare, Victoria House, Sunrise Assisted Living, Signature Healthcare and others attended.

Vietnam Marine Corps veteran Ken Lewis of Mineral Ridge said the event was calming, and a big surprise.

“It gave my heart peace that we were recognized with gratitude for serving our country,”said Lewis of Washington Square in Warren.

Veteran Jerry Pascarella of Youngstown and said he served four years in Vietnam where he was injured.

Pascarella, a resident of Sunrise Senior Living of Poland, said many veterans who did not make it home from Vietnam.

U.S. Navy veteran William Rhodes Dick of Youngstown said he heard someone say “When you see a veteran don’t thank them for their service, but instead thank them for their sacrifice. They sacrificed part of their lives and some sacrificed their entire lives or parts of their body.”

The Austintown Healthcare Center resident said he is proud to have sacrificed for his country and enjoyed the concert.

The Guardian Angel volunteers also spent Sunday delivering afghans to veterans in nursing home facilities.

Rusu said the commitment and work of the veterans will always be recognized.

“Their service will always be honored,” he said.

The Guardian Angels act as friends to seniors who may be alone and lonely with no relatives or anyone to look after them. Guardian Angel volunteers visit seniors and take them to special events.

Many area communities held Veterans Day events this weekend and will continue today. In Cortland, a program was held for the first time at the new Veterans Memorial.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com