The Logan County Commissioners recently honored two distinguished U.S. Army veterans, who also happen to be high school classmates many years ago, with a continuing tradition of presenting them with a flag that has flown over the Logan County Courthouse.
John Leiss, who served in the Army from 1966 to 1968 in the 591st Engineer Corps, and Russell Strayer, a U.S. Army veteran from 1965 to 1968 who was stationed near Frankfurt, Germany, were presented with the flags that flew over the courthouse in November and December, respectively. Both are 1965 Riverside High School graduates.
Commissioner Mike Yoder presented the flags to the honored guests, accompanied by Commissioners Joe Antram and Mark Robinson.
A Quincy native who currently resides just outside of the village, Leiss trained in the USATC Engineer program in Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri.
His military honors include: the Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Marksman and Expert in handling the X-16 Firearm; One Overseas Bar; and National Defense Service Medal.
Leiss’ family members in attendance at the ceremony included his daughter Angela Leiss-Orndorff, granddaughter Presley Orndorff and grandson Jackson Orndorff.
Currently a resident of Bellefontaine, Strayer grew up in DeGraff. He served the Army overseas in Germany for 2 1/2 years.
Strayer’s military honors include National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He remains an active member of the American Legion Post 173 and the Logan County Honor Guard.
Other officials in attendance included Jackie Prater, Chief Deputy (Clerk of Courts); and Logan County Sheriff Randy Dodds, alongside Logan County Administrator David Henry and Administrative Clerk DeDe Doss. Representatives of the Logan County Veterans
Office include Amy Ricketts, Dale Morgan, Richard Woodruff and Jim Culp.
Russell Strayer, second from the right, holds a keepsake U.S. flag that flew over the Logan County Courthouse, which was presented to him by Logan County Commissioners, from the left, Joe Antram, Mike Yoder and Mark Robinson. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
John Leiss, third from the right, pictured with his daughter Angela Leiss-Orndorff, granddaughter Presley Orndorff and grandson Jackson Orndorff, with Logan County Commissioners Mike Yoder, Joe Antram and Mark Robinson. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)