THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, May 28, 1996 TAG: 9605280078
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: 41 lines
As a driving downpour drenched the grounds of the Virginia War Memorial Monday, Gov. George Allen unveiled the names of seven soldiers, including a Portsmouth native, killed in the Persian Gulf War.
It was just one of many Memorial Day ceremonies across the state to remember the men and women who have died in war.
``We come here to pay homage to and to remember those who fought and died serving our nation,'' said Allen, standing near a large white statue titled ``Memory.''
``Their spirits live on in the hearts of every Virginian,'' he said.
About 250 people gathered for the ceremony, watching veterans parade the colors and listening to speeches extolling the courage and sacrifice of Virginians who have fought in every American war since the Revolution.
The seven who died in the Gulf were: Jonathan M. Williams of Portsmouth, Kenneth B. Gentry of Ringgold, Troy L. Gregory of Richmond, Thomas C.M. Zeugner of Petersburg, Terry L. Plunk of Lexington, Jason C. Carr of Halifax and Donaldson P. Tillar III of Emporia.
The day was also commemorated by the rivals for the Republican Senate nomination.
Sen. John W. Warner crisscrossed the state, dropping in at a Memorial Day ceremony at Altavista Elementary School, then stopping in Bedford - the site selected for a national D-Day memorial - and ending the day at a Newport News ceremony.
His opponent, James C. Miller III, took part in a Memorial Day parade in Falls Church. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS
With Gov. George Allen watching, Charles Tanner, left, and Ron
Soltis place the Marine Corps League wreath during ceremonies at the
Virginia War Memorial in Richmond on Monday.
KEYWORDS: MEMORIAL DAY by CNB