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Ceremony honors GI killed in action

A plaque commemorates Sgt. Ryan Gloyer, whose name was added to the Adams War Memorial on Sunday.
Zelie man's name added to Adams War Memorial

ADAMS TWP — Hundreds gathered on a rainy Sunday afternoon for the annual Adams War Memorial service to honor war dead and to add a name to the memorial wall.

Sgt. Ryan Gloyer of Zelienople had his name added to the wall, the first name added since the monument was dedicated in 2014. The wall recognizes serviceman from surrounding communities who were killed in action, listed as missing in action or who died as a prisoner during each war fought by the United States since the Civil War.

Gloyer, a 2000 Seneca Valley graduate, was killed in action Nov. 3, 2016, while fighting enemy forces in Kunduz, Afghanistan, along with his team leader, Capt. Andrew D. Byers. Gloyer was a sergeant first class in his U.S. Army Green Beret Special Forces unit.

His father, Richard Gloyer, and wife, Michelle, attended the memorial service.

“It was a great honor for sure,” Richard Gloyer said about his son's name being added to the memorial.

He joins nine others from the Global War on Terror on the memorial wall.

This was the fourth year for the service at the memorial, which opened in May 2014, said Mary Jane Ford, event organizer.The Bantam Marine Detachment 743 of Butler carried out a gun salute, presented the colors and played taps during the ceremony. The Greater Cranberry Men's Chorus and Seneca Valley Girls Quartet sang musical selections.Ken Carlson delivered the keynote speech that honored Gloyer and Cpl. James T. “Tommy” Mainhart, who was killed in 1950 fighting in the Korean War. His remains recently were identified and returned home to be laid to rest.In addition, the Butler County American Legion Riders, local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops and students from Seneca Valley High School teacher Jim Lucot's classes attended the event.Mary Jane Ford, who organizes the event with husband Paul, said they had more than 200 people come out in the rain, with some people standing outside the pavilion to watch the service.“We are very fortunate to have such a great family and friends who help us put this on,” Mary Jane Ford said. “It's the people who come that make the memorial services worthwhile.”

Richard Gloyer places a wreath at the Adams War Memorial on Sunday in memory of his son, Sgt. Ryan Gloyer. His name was added to the memorial wall which recognizes serviceman from surrounding communities who were killed in action, listed as missing in action or who died as a prisoner during each war fought by the United States since the Civil War.

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