Correspondent photos / Bill Koch Tony Viano of Boardman, a Vietnam veteran, lays a rose at the Mahoning County Vietnam War Memorial in Central Square in downtown Youngstown for Andrew Babyak Jr. of Youngstown, who was one of 105 county soldiers killed in action during the war. The annual Laying of the Roses ceremony takes place this time of the year because March 29 was officially designated National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

YOUNGSTOWN — A large crowd sat silently on Central Square downtown Sunday afternoon for the annual Laying of The Roses ceremony, honoring Mahoning County residents killed or missing in action during the Vietnam War.

Susan Krawchyk, director of the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission, said the commemoration occurs this time of year because March 29 was officially designated National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Each year, someone places a rose in front of Youngstown’s Vietnam Memorial for each of the 105 soldiers lost.

Jan Brown, retired VSC commissioner and commander of AMVETS Post 44 in Struthers, grew up in Washington state but now lives in Boardman. She has attended the Laying of the Roses several times.

“I’m a Vietnam era vet and my husband is a Vietnam vet, so it’s close to my heart. I’m not from here, but I feel like I know these people,” Brown said. Her husband, J.P., was the emcee for the ceremony.

Among the attendees were members of the Knights of Columbus Holy Family Church Council #15573. Bob Lariccia of Poland is a Vietnam veteran. He said this ceremony is special because “it represents the men who were killed.” He said it feels like it just happened, even though it has been more than 50 years.

Sgt. Ryan Seka, originally from North Jackson, was stationed in Italy and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, before recently returning to attend YSU. He said it is important to “be part of the community, especially to honor these guys.”

After pastor and Vietnam veteran Fred Schrock gave the invocation, the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 2 posted the colors, and Dana Kibler sang the national anthem, Krawchyk pointed out the empty chair representing those whose whereabouts are unknown.

“This chair occupies a place of dignity and honor. They are referred to as POW-MIA. We call them comrades. They are always with us in our hearts and minds,” Krawchyk said.

Guest speaker was Jerre Patterson, who retired from the Boardman Police Department as chief in 2008. He talked about being “young, dumb, and full of adventure” before he joined the Marines and how his perspective changed after being in action and seeing people die.

Vic Corneliussen of North Jackson recited a poem titled “Call me Fearless,” about the sacrifices soldiers make for others. Corneliussen noted that each soldier takes an oath to defend the country against “all enemies, foreign and domestic.” As a result, “We don’t just live in America. America lives in us.”

Family members, friends and veterans took turns placing a rose in front of the memorial as each name was read. They touched the name engraved on the memorial, saluted or put their hands on their hearts. A video screen highlighted each veteran with a brief biography.

Vietnam veteran Tony Viano of Boardman has been involved in this, as well as many other veteran activities.

“When we came home, we weren’t honored,” Viano said, which makes it more important now, especially since not every veteran has a family member to participate. “That’s why we will keep this going as long as we can,” he said.

The ceremony also honored Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient Leo Connelly, who died in January.