Ross American Legion Post plans renaming ceremony

A fallen Marine from West View will be honored this Memorial Day when American Legion Post 80 in Ross Township renames itself after Sgt. Joseph D. Caskey, who was killed while on duty in Afghanistan on June 26, 2010.A traditional Memorial Day service will be held at noon at the Laurel Gardens World War II monument at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Ninth Street. The renaming ceremony, which will begin at approximately 12:45 p.m., according to Scott Palermo, Post 80 adjutant, will take place in front of the post, 172 Sixth Ave.The new name of the Post will be Sgt. Joseph D. Caskey American Legion Post 80, Palermo, of Ross, said."It seems like the right thing to do to honor a local Marine," said Palermo, an Army veteran who served in field artillery from 1990 to 1993.Caskey was on his second tour of duty when he was killed by an improvised explosive device during convoy operations in Helmand Province in Afghan-istan, according to his brother, Josh Caskey. He was 24.Josh Caskey, a former Marine who just moved to Cranberry from California, said he and his family appreciate the honor."It was very hard for us and our family," Josh Caskey said about his brother's death. "To have it honored in that way … it makes it a little bit easier."Josh Caskey, 30, was injured while on duty in Iraq when a building he was in was attacked by a car full of explosives. He said he received shrapnel wounds and sustained a massive brain injury and still is recovering from the latter. Now a new member of the Ross post, Josh Caskey will be accepting a flag that previously was flown in his brother's honor and in honor of Navy Corpsman William Ortega, who was in the same unit, Palermo said.Josh Caskey said Ortega, of Florida, was a good friend of his brother's and was killed only eight days earlier while on duty. The flag will stay at the post in honor of those men, said Josh Caskey, who is married to Kelly, 31, and has four children, Brianna, 11; Josh Jr., 9; Faith, 4; and Alexander, 20 months.The Memorial Day ceremony will include a salute to deceased veterans, music from members of the North Hills Senior High School band and choir, participation from the Ross Township police department's ceremonial unit, and participation of a Marine Corps color guard and a Marine Corps League color guard, said Palermo, 40.The dedication ceremony will include speeches by Joseph Caskey's family and friends, including two of his brothers and Marines who served with him in Afghanistan, Palermo said.The public is invited to the ceremony at the post, which is located at 172 Sixth Ave. in Ross' Laurel Gardens neighborhood. Parking will be available at the North Hills School District secondary campus along Rochester Road, with shuttle service provided.John Mrdjenovich, past commander of the post, said it's an important day for the Caskey family and veterans everywhere."The American Legion is about veterans," said Mrdjenovich, a veteran who served in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division.He said Caskey, a West View native and 2004 North Hills graduate, also was dedicated to the local community."He was a member of the community and very well known. He's one of ours," said Mrdjenovich, 43, of Ross, a co-chairman of the post's renaming committee.He said Caskey's grandfather was a World War II vet, and Caskey's great-grandfather served during World War I."It was a good choice," said the Ross Township resident.Josh Caskey said their parents, Debbie and Gerald, also Army veterans who now live in Pine Township, will be present at the ceremony, as well as their brother Jeremy, a member of the Air Force Reserve who lives in Emporium. They have one more brother, John, who lives in Alabama and is unable to make the trip, Josh Caskey said.He said he thinks it's wonderful that someone who lost his life in a recent conflict is being recognized in this way."I was very happy that this younger generation was going to be honored at a place where you see a lot of the older generation," Josh Caskey said.Current post Commander Bob Fleischel agreed that it's important to recognize fallen military personnel soon after they die, not just years later."It was an easy decision. It was still fresh in our minds and our hearts," said Fleischel, of Glenshaw.Fleischel, an Air Force veteran who served during the Vietnam War era, was stationed in a support base in Thailand. He said people should remember the many who have served, no matter where or when."A veteran should be recognized despite what conflict he or she was in," said Fleischel, 66. "Every family is touched with someone in the military service."Palermo said American Legion members approved the decision to rename the post on Nov. 10, which was the 236th birthday of the Marine Corps.