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‘An honor and a sacrifice;' Residents honor veterans at annual Memorial Day parade

‘An honor and a sacrifice;' Residents honor veterans at annual Memorial Day parade

Yahoo26-05-2025
People in Springfield celebrated and honored our veterans at their annual Memorial Day Parade today.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
News Center 7's Mason Fletcher talked with a Vietnam Veteran who said he hasn't always been celebrated the way he is today. Catch his report on News Center 7 at 5:00 p.m.
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The 2025 Memorial Day Parade took place this morning in Downtown Springfield, with residents gathering to honor their local veterans.
While some might think of Memorial Day as a day off from work or school, it actually means so much more.
We will update this story.
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SIG SAUER Experience Center Museum: Medal of Honor Recipient - Captain Larry L. Taylor Tribute
SIG SAUER Experience Center Museum: Medal of Honor Recipient - Captain Larry L. Taylor Tribute

Yahoo

time20 hours ago

  • Yahoo

SIG SAUER Experience Center Museum: Medal of Honor Recipient - Captain Larry L. Taylor Tribute

NEWINGTON, N.H., July 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SIG SAUER, a leading American defense and outdoor products manufacturer, is proud to honor Medal of Honor Recipient Captain Larry L. Taylor with a tribute display at the SIG SAUER Experience Center Museum. The display was unveiled July 11, 2025, and will be showcased for a year before being transferred to the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. Captain Taylor served in Vietnam from August 1967 to August 1968 with D Troop (Air), 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division as an Army aviator flying some of the first Bell AH1-G Cobra attack helicopters in combat. He flew over 2,000 combat missions in UH-1 and Cobra helicopters, was engaged by enemy fire 340 times, and forced down five times. He was awarded by the U.S. Army with at least 50 combat decorations, including the Silver Star, 43 Air Medals, a Bronze Star, and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. The Vietnamese Government also awarded Captain Taylor the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star. His most harrowing mission took place on June 18, 1968, when a four-man Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) team was surrounded by enemies just northeast of Saigon, Vietnam. The team was in danger of being overrun by a larger Viet Cong force when 1st Lt. Larry Taylor and his co-pilot and gunner J.O. Ratliff flew a AH-G Cobra helicopter gunship to support them on the ground, making low-level attack runs for 45 minutes. The helicopters supporting the LRRP were almost out of ammunition, and due to lack of firepower protection the UH-1 "Huey" rescue helicopter was canceled. With the enemy closing in, Taylor knew he was the only way out for the four-man LRRP team. Operating on his own personal motto—"No man left behind"—Taylor decided to disobey direct orders to end the mission and landed the Cobra under heavy enemy fire with co-pilot and gunner J.O. Ratliff. The patrol team, including SGT David Hill, sat on the rocket-pods and skids; despite low fuel and nearly empty ammunition, Taylor carried them to safety. For Captain Taylor's profound altruism, the Army awarded him the Silver Star, upgraded in 2023 by President Joe Biden to the Medal of Honor. SIG SAUER is moved by Captain Taylor's profound acts of courage and dedication to duty. Likewise, the Company was honored to host Sgt. David Hill, and CW02 J.O. Ratliff at the July 11th unveiling ceremony for the Captain Larry Taylor tribute display. The display includes: CPT Taylor's Medal of Honor and the issuing certificate; CPT Taylor's flight helmet and summer flying gloves; A 1/35 scale diorama depicting the extraction; and Numerous photographs donated by David Hill and J.O. Ratliff. The case also includes a custom SIG SAUER Commemorative M17 pistol and walnut stand dedicated to CPT Taylor. SIG SAUER built Medal of Honor Commemorative pistols for all surviving recipients of this prestigious award. The pistols were hand crafted in collaboration with SIG SAUER Custom Works. Upon learning about Captain Taylor's story, the SIG SAUER team was driven to honor his life with a tribute to his service and valor. SIG SAUER would like to thank the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, Sgt. David Hill, and CW02 J.O. Ratliff for sharing Captain Larry Taylor's story and accepting our gift for his dedication to service. To learn more about Captain Larry L. Taylor's story please visit this moving video tribute, read the U.S. Army dedication, or visit the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center website. To learn more about SIG SAUER, please visit About SIG SAUER, Inc.: SIG SAUER, Inc. is a leading provider and manufacturer of firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, airguns, suppressors, remote controlled weapons stations, and training. For over 250 years SIG SAUER, Inc. has evolved, and thrived, by blending American ingenuity, German engineering, and Swiss precision. Today, SIG SAUER is synonymous with industry-leading quality and innovation which has made it the brand of choice amongst the U.S. Military, the global defense community, law enforcement, competitive shooters, hunters, and responsible citizens. Additionally, SIG SAUER is the premier provider of elite firearms instruction and tactical training at the SIG SAUER Academy. SIG SAUER is certified a Great Place to Work™. For more information about the company and product line visit: Media Contact:Phil StraderVice President, Consumer View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE SIG SAUER, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

State report: MARTA escalator had missing parts during mishap that hurt Beyoncé fans
State report: MARTA escalator had missing parts during mishap that hurt Beyoncé fans

Yahoo

time3 days ago

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State report: MARTA escalator had missing parts during mishap that hurt Beyoncé fans

A new state report shows that a MARTA escalator was missing several parts before multiple people were injured while leaving a Beyoncé concert. A report by the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner says that three drive belts were found missing from the escalator's top drive motor and another was missing from the bottom drive motor. However, the OCI report says it was unclear if the belts were missing at the time of the incident or if they came off due to the incident. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] During the July 14 incident, 13 people were injured, with seven taken to local hospitals Grady Memorial Hospital and Wellstar Kennestone Hospital. Six others were treated on the scene for injuries, according to the OCI report. RELATED STORIES: State government investigation into MARTA escalator incident underway Man injured in stampede after Beyoncé concert says escalator 'went down like a roller coaster' Councilmember calls for full investigation into MARTA escalator malfunction after Beyoncé concert Body camera video shows the moment stampede broke out after Beyoncé concert MARTA: Vine City station escalator didn't malfunction, was inspected before Beyonce concerts The report from the OCI inspection of the escalator says that after two escalator steps were removed, all three belts from the top drive motor were found to be missing. As it examined the bottom drive motor, OCI said a fourth belt was also found off the pulley, and two others had 'walked to the top side of the pulleys.' The report says the high passenger volume that night and the motor drive belts missing 'would have caused an over-normal operating speed condition, leading to the injuries' experienced by 13 people. According to the investigation, the MARTA escalator malfunctioned as 'several patrons rush[ed] toward' it while trying to avoid an insect, according to MARTA police. The sudden increase of people on the escalator made the equipment 'jerk, speed up, and eventually stop, causing multiple injuries' to those who were on the escalator at the time, the report says. The escalator remains shut down for repairs, which were approved to move forward. Another inspection of the escalator will happen before it is returned to service. MARTA declined to comment on the report due to the incident being subject to legal claims. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Solve the daily Crossword

Inside ‘busy season' for hero local Coast Guard crew
Inside ‘busy season' for hero local Coast Guard crew

New York Post

time3 days ago

  • New York Post

Inside ‘busy season' for hero local Coast Guard crew

These boots-on-the-ground rescues start from thousands of feet in the air. The busy season is just ramping up for the US Coast Guard's Air Station Atlantic City crew, which patrols the skies and conducts search-and-rescue operations from the Long Island Sound to the Chesapeake Bay, crew members told The Post in an exclusive interview Monday. Advertisement 'It was kind of a slow start to our busy season … but it's been picking up lately,' said Cmdr. Randall Slusher, a pilot whose team's coastal coverage includes that of the Big Apple, Jersey Shore and Long Island almost daily. 7 Coast Guard pilots Randy Slusher (left) and Tyler Smith of Air Sation Atlantic City pose after flying up the Jersey Shore to Manhattan on Monday. Aristide Economopoulos He said the colder spring months staved off droves of recreational boaters until after Memorial Day weekend — then all heck broke loose. 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Tyler Smith said. 7 Petty Officer Adam Timberlake, a flight mechanic, makes adjustments while flying over the Hudson River. Aristide Economopoulos 'We've recently had a few cases where you're flying around and seeing someone clinging to a boat or clinging into a jet ski,' Smith said. He said one of his most memorable saves involved rescuing two boaters in February when their vessel capsized off the coast of Staten Island, killing three other passengers. Advertisement The air station also assisted in search and rescue operations during the Baltimore bridge disaster in March. 'When you have to rescue people that really need help, it's hard to beat that — it's a rewarding experience,' Slusher said. 7 'I think our mission is so unique: We're a military branch, and lifesaving is our goal,' Timberlake told The Post. Aristide Economopoulos The jumpsuit-clad heroes provide air space security during presidential travel and major tri-state area events such as United Nations summits, too. In the wintertime, the crew even provides aid to duck hunters who frequently get stuck on the water, Slusher said. Jet ski incidents in particular have exploded recently, he said. Last week, the crew hoisted two jet skiers stuck in South Jersey marshland. 7 Slusher (left) and Smith return to Air Station Atlantic City after flying their MH-65 Dolphin helicopter. Aristide Economopoulos Slusher said one memorable incident occurred in 2016 when a pair of New Jersey teens stole their parents' jet skis and took them for a joy ride through the mud. Advertisement 'The cabin of the helicopter was a [muddy] disaster,' Smith recalled of the teens' rescue. 'I think they took a shower … and we gave them clothes so their mom could come pick them up.' False-alarm and prank distress calls are unfortunately a regular issue the crew has to deal with, too, he said. 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