WestChesterBuzz.com

Sue Kiesewetter reports

West Chester Township’s Memorial Day Parade will leave Union Day School at 10 a.m., May 28.

Organized by the West Chester Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7696, marchers are asked to gather in the school’s north parking lot, 8735 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, at 9 a.m.

World War II veteran Wallace Schulze will serve as grand marshal of the parade. It will proceed down Cincinnati-Dayton, to West Chester Road to Brookside Cemetery.

Beginning at 10 a.m., the West Chester Historical Society will begin reading names of the veterans buried in the cemetery. When that is completed and the parade arrives, a 45-minute service begins, said Micky Vidourek, of the VFW.

The service includes the playing of Taps and the Star Spangled Banner by the Lakota East and West bands. Ohio Board of Regents senior vice chancellor and former legislator Gary Cates will speak at the service. It will end with the Cincinnati Caledonian Pipes and Drums Band’s rendition of Amazing Grace.

• Story: Fallen Marine to receive Purple Heart
• Story: Marine John Patrick ‘J.P.’ Huling killed by Taliban
• Photos: Bell Jr., Pyeatt and funerals
• Stories: Lucas Pyeatt

West Chester and Liberty Township’s recent fallen soldiers include Lance Corporal Timothy M. Bell Jr. (died in Aug. of 2005 in Iraq), Marine Corporal Lucas T. Pyeatt (died in Feb. of 2011 in Afghanistan) and Marine Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling (died in May of 2012 in Afghanistan).

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: Afghanistan, death, funeral, Iraq, J.P. Huling, J.P. Huling death, Lucas Pyeatt, Lucas Pyeatt arrangements, Lucas Pyeatt funeral, Lucas Pyeatt funeral services, Memorial Day Parade, Memorial Day Parade West Chester, military, military families, Timothy M. Bell Jr., Timothy M. Bell Jr. funeral, Timothy M. Bell Jr. funeral services, U.S. Marine Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling

While the nation commemorates its soldiers who died while serving in the military, locally West Chester and Liberty Township residents will honor their fallen soldiers, which include Lance Corporal Timothy M. Bell Jr. (died in Aug. of 2005 in Iraq), Marine Corporal Lucas T. Pyeatt (died in Feb. of 2011 in Afghanistan) and Marine Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling (died in May of 2012 in Afghanistan).

To honor other fallen service men and women, the West Chester Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7696 once again organized a Memorial Day parade that will begin at 10 a.m. at Union Day School.

• Story: Fallen Marine to receive Purple Heart
• Story: Marine John Patrick ‘J.P.’ Huling killed by Taliban
• Photos: Bell Jr., Pyeatt and funerals
• Stories: Lucas Pyeatt

The parade will end at Brookside Cemetery on West Chester Road. A ceremony, featuring the Lakota East and Lakota West Marching Bands and honored guests, will follow the parade.

In the past, marchers have been asked to gather at 9 a.m. in the school’s north parking lot, which is located at 8735 Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

For more information, visit WestChesterOH.org.

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: Afghanistan, death, funeral, Iraq, J.P. Huling, J.P. Huling death, Lucas Pyeatt, Lucas Pyeatt arrangements, Lucas Pyeatt funeral, Lucas Pyeatt funeral services, military, military families, Timothy M. Bell Jr., Timothy M. Bell Jr. funeral, Timothy M. Bell Jr. funeral services, U.S. Marine Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

Lakota to lose both high school principals- With the West Clermont school board’s recent approval of Keith Kline (current principal at Lakota East) as its new assistant superintendent, the Lakota school district will be entering the 2012-2013 school year with different principals at both high schools. Meanwhile, Richard Hamilton, who has served as the principal at Lakota West for the past 13 years, is retiring at the end of the school year in July.

Former Lakota East wrestler to compete in 2012 Olympics – About 10 years ago, Pliev had offers to wrestle at universities throughout the United States. He was coming off back-to-back state and national wrestling titles at Lakota East and seemed destined to accomplish his dream of becoming an Olympian. His journey, however, took a few unique turns.

Mothers of twins grow special bond in West Chester– One of the largest mothers of multiples groups in the nation is right here in West Chester. The local twins club started in 1988 with six members. It has grown to more than 230 members today.

U.S. News ranks Lakota high schools among nation’s best – Lakota high schools made U.S. News & World Report’s list of top-ranked public high schools in the state and nation. Schools were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals based on a range of performance indicators, such as state proficiency standards and how well they prepare students for college. Both schools were among 93 Ohio public high schools to earn a silver medal.

West Chester firefighters have new pact – The West Chester Board of Trustees approved a three-year contract with the township’s fire lieutenants and firefighters last Tuesday. The contract affects 57 full-timers who are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3518, and replaces a contract that expired at the end of last year.

AK Steel makes Fortune 500 list – AK Steel, which is headquartered in West Chester, was recently named to this year’s Fortune 500 list of America’s largest corporations. The company was ranked 381st on this year’s list and generated approximately $6.5 billion in revenue in 2011.

West Chester day care child abuser gets 80 years – Dan Horn reported that a Mason man will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for molesting boys at his mother’s in-home day care in West Chester and sharing photos of the abuse over the Internet. A federal judge sentenced Andrew Keith, 29, to 80 years in prison last Wednesday for producing and sharing child pornography.

Sectional tournament update: Lakota teams advance – The Lakota West baseball team, along with the Lakota East and Lakota West softball teams, won their postseason matchups in the sectional tournament last Wednesday. Both baseball teams also advanced to district semifinal games with wins last Thursday. All four teams will play in district semifinal games this week.

Boehner listens to small business owners in Hamilton- House Speaker John Boehner Friday accused President Obama of being “AWOL for about eight months” as he campaigns non-stop for re-election. Boehner’s remarks came during a visit to United Performance Metals here where he listened to the concerns of local small business owners.

Lakota East teacher investigated over prom funds – A Lakota East High School teacher is the focus of an investigation by police in connection with missing funds from the Butler County school’s prom fund. The teacher, who resigned earlier this week, was not named by Lakota school officials in their released statement last Friday.

Fallen West Chester Marine to receive Purple Heart – The body of Marine Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling will return to his Butler County hometown Sunday as the latest recipient of the prestigious Purple Heart Award, military officials said last Friday. The Moeller High School graduate and bomb disposal specialist, 25, was shot in the chest and killed Sunday by someone, possibly a Taliban member, wearing an Afghan National Army uniform – a person supposed to be an ally of U.S. forces.

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Jennifer Edwards Baker reports

Hundreds of people are expected to pay their respects today to a West Chester native and United States Marine who was killed by a suspected Taliban militant dressed in an Afghan National Army uniform while on patrol in Afghanistan last week.

Visitation for Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling will be 4-9 p.m. at Moeller High School, 9001 Montgomery Rd., Montgomery.

The 25-year-old who graduated from the private Catholic school in 2004 will return to his alma mater one final time before a mass of Chrisian burial is held Tuesday morning at St. Michael Church in Sharonville.

• Story: Fallen Marine to receive Purple Heart
• Story: Marine John Patrick ‘J.P.’ Huling killed by Taliban

Sgt. Huilng will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.

Last week, military officials announced he will receive the prestigious Purple Heart Award.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: death, J.P. Huling, J.P. Huling death, military, U.S. Marine Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling

Jennifer Edwards Baker reports

The body of Marine Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling will return to his Butler County hometown Sunday as the latest recipient of the prestigious Purple Heart Award, military officials said Friday.

The Moeller High School graduate and bomb disposal specialist, 25, was shot in the chest and killed Sunday by someone, possibly a Taliban member, wearing an Afghan National Army uniform – a person supposed to be an ally of U.S. forces.

Sgt. Huling became the latest victim in a series of attacks blamed on Afghan soldiers – or on assailants dressed in Afghan military uniforms. The attacks come as NATO is preparing to hand over security to local forces ahead of a 2014 deadline for withdrawing combat troops.

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving our country.

“It is an unfortunate honor to make sure that J.P. Huling is given the proper respect he deserves,” said Major Dave Valentino of the U.S. Marines Communications Co. in Cincinnati. “That’s our duty here, to make sure that both he and his family get what they need through this troubling time.”

When Sgt. Huling’s American flag-draped casket lands about 3 p.m. Sunday at the Butler County Regional Airport in Fairfield Township, it will not be alone. Military veterans on motorcycles from the Patriot Guard Riders and local and federal law enforcement will accompany it to Hodapp Funeral Home off Tylersville Road in West Chester.

On Monday, there will be a visitation from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Moeller High School.

There also will be a service at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Michael’s Church in Sharonville before Sgt. Huling’s body is flown to Washington D.C., where he will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Valentino said Sgt. Huling wanted to be laid to rest at Arlington.

Even though Sgt. Huling questioned the purpose of the U.S. military’s continued presence in Afghanistan, he answered the call for service when he was sent to Afghanistan six months ahead of schedule last month, departing on Good Friday.

It was his second tour of duty. He had enlisted after serving in Iraq.

He was assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Sgt. Huling grew up in West Chester and attended St. Michael School in Sharonville before continuing his private Catholic school education at Moeller.

After Moeller, he worked as a kitchen manager at Manor House in Mason and enrolled in Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, where he attended culinary school.

A year later, though, he still felt his life was missing something, so he joined the Marines.

Like his younger brother, Sgt. Huling was inspired to serve his country in light of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

He was stationed in Camp Pendleton and recently purchased a house with his wife in Temeculah, Calif.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: death, J.P. Huling, J.P. Huling death, military, U.S. Marine Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling

Jennifer Edwards Baker reports

U.S. Marine Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling didn’t think U.S. soldiers should be in Afghanistan.

“Many of his fellow Marines had been killed and other soldiers, and he just thought it was senseless,” said his mother, Debbie Huling. “He didn’t think we should be over there. I mean, they are just there basically for the Taliban to do whatever they want with. What is going to be the result of them being over there? We are never going to change the mentality of the Afghan people. It was just a senseless thing.”

Still, the bomb disposal specialist and 2004 Moeller High School graduate answered the call for service when he was sent to Afghanistan six months ahead of schedule last month, departing on Good Friday.

It was his second tour of duty. He re-enlisted after serving in Iraq.

This time he had reservations before going over, his mother said in an interview this morning, ones he shared with her on his last visit home to West Chester Township, in March.

He questioned whether he was prepared, whether he had enough training, she said.

Sgt. Huling had just graduated from explosive ordinance disposal training in November and was still undergoing additional training to dismantle bombs when he was called earlier than expected due to losses in his unit.

“He was worried because he hadn’t finished his training and he didn’t feel like he would be prepared to be over there,” she said. “But once he got with his new unit he felt very confident because the unit leader was awesome. He said (the unit leader) had been in Afghanistan three times and he felt he was under a really good leader.”

Sgt. Huling was shot in the chest while on foot patrol in Anwar Province Sunday. He was flown to a hospital, where he died about an hour later. (more…)

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Tags: Tags: death, J.P. Huling, J.P. Huling death, military, U.S. Marine Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling

Cliff Peale reports

A local U.S. Marine has been killed in Afghanistan.

J.P. Huling, a Marine seargent from West Chester, was reported killed Sunday.

A member of his family answering the phone at his home in West Chester confirmed that the Marines had notified the family early Sunday.

She said Huling was 25.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: death, J.P. Huling, J.P. Huling death, military

U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to the President Barack Obama supporting West Chester’s Sgt. Robert A. Woods’ nomination for the Presidential Citizens Medal for his exemplary military service and his continued work helping soldiers and their families in need.

“I am honored to support the nomination of Sgt. Robert A. Woods for the Presidential Citizens Medal,” said Portman. “Having gotten to know Sgt. Woods, I can speak firsthand to the impressive service and comfort Sgt. Woods and the Ohio Patriot Guard provide to the families of our fallen heroes. He is truly deserving of this award”

Sgt. Woods is a highly decorated Vietnam veteran who continues to work to improve military life and to bring honor and respect to the Armed Forces. Fellow Ohioan Edwina Campbell nominated Sgt. Woods for his work with the Ohio Patriot Guard and for his volunteer efforts in helping wounded and disabled veterans.

The Presidential Citizens Medal recognizes citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their fellow citizens that go well beyond the scope of their regular jobs. Citizens are encouraged to help in the selection process by nominating individuals they feel are deserving of the award.

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Barack Obama, military, Presidential Citizens Medal, Rob Portman, Robert A. Woods, Robert Woods, Sgt. Robert A. Woods, Sgt. Robert Woods, veterans, Vietnam veteran

Coldwell Banker West Shell Foundation will launch its DVDs for the Troops drive next Thursday, Sept. 15.

Coldwell Banker West Shell will provide donation boxes at its Cincinnati area offices, including its West Chester office at 9106 West Chester Town Center Drive, to collect new, packaged DVDs to send to troops serving overseas.

“The DVDs collected for the DVDs for the Troops allow soldiers the chance to give their mind a rest,” said Joe King, company president and COO. “They are a form of entertainment and are way to raise troops’ spirits when they are not in the danger zone.”

For more information, go to www.givecbws.com or call Janet Davis at 513-271-7200.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker West Shell, Coldwell Banker West Shell Foundation, DVD, DVDs for the Troops, military, Troops

Marine Cpl. Lucas T. Pyeatt of West Chester, who was killed earlier this year while conducting combat operations in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, was posthumously awarded a new medal created to honor heroics by intelligence officers, according to Gannett reporter Malia Rulon.

>>>PHOTOS OF LUCAS PYEATT AND HIS FUNERAL<<<

Below is a portion of Rulon’s article:

The parents of Marine Corps Sgt. Lucas T. Pyeatt of West Chester were presented Wednesday with the National Intelligence Medal for Valor on behalf of their son, who was killed while leading his patrol in Afghanistan.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper called Pyeatt an “outstanding Marine, an extraordinary intelligence professional … a true leader.”

“Luke was a standout young man and his death is an enormous loss to the country and to the Marine Corps,” Clapper said of 24-year-old Pyeatt, who was a signals intelligence team leader.

“Even though because of his job he knew he couldn’t be on every patrol, he insisted on conducting the very first one in a heavily contested area,” Clapper said. “He wanted to be certain that he understood what his team would be going through every time they went beyond the wire. And his fellow Marines respected him for that.”

Pyeatt was also praised for his leadership in training his team before deployment.

Pyeatt was killed Feb. 5 by an improvised explosive device in the southern province of Helmand. He had been in the country less than two weeks on his first deployment.

For the entire story, visit Cincinnati.com’s post “Slain Marine was ‘great young leader.’”

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Afghanistan, death, funeral, Lucas Pyeatt, Lucas Pyeatt funeral, Lucas Pyeatt funeral arrangements, Lucas Pyeatt funeral services, military, military families