Ahead of the Memorial Day weekend state leaders honored fallen Ohio soldiers. From our Statehouse bureau Andy Chow reports.
Each year the Legislature awards the families of fallen soldiers the Ohio Medal of Distinction. It's a solemn occasion used to commemorate the sacrifice of men and women who died in combat overseas.
The event was followed by a wreath laying ceremony where James Bernholtz addressed the families and the crowd. Bernholtz' son, Eric, was killed in Iraq 10 years ago. He acknowledges his own overwhelming grief but added words of hope.
Bernholtz: "But I can say this as a word of encouragement to you from my own experience. I also live. I see the good that has been preserved and protected."
This year the state leaders handed out six medals of distinction.