The Jefferson County Veterans Association held its annual Memorial Day program on Monday at Veterans Memorial Park located in Friendship Park, Smithfield. Guest speaker David Charvat of Dillonvale related about military personnel who sacrificed their lives in time of peace.

Charvat, who flew jets off USS Midway, noted that in two years’ time, from 1976 to 1978, while stationed on the Midway there were 12 deaths. That included one plane captain, one diver, four engineers and six pilots who were killed as result of accidents or volunteering on hazardous assignments. “They all died in the line of duty to keep America free and safe,” Charvat said.