MOUNT CARMEL - On Sunday, March 20, the Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee held its "Changing of the Colors" flag ceremony in honor and memory of a Marine who served during the Vietnam War.
Anthony R. "Decoy" Martino was born July 22, 1946, in Danville, the son of Genevieve (Saukaitis) Martino. He was a 1964 graduate of Mount Carmel Catholic High School.
A member of the U.S. Marine Corps, Martino served in Vietnam during the war. He was honorably discharged as a corporal (E-4) on Dec. 15, 1971. On November 8, 1969, he married the former Ann Goldstein in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Martino retired as a correction officer from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. He held the rank of lieutenant and was a member of the CRST Response Team.
He was a member of the Church of the Holy Angels, Kulpmont, and Indian Hills Golf Club, Paxinos. In March, 2010, Martino was inducted into the Ed Romance Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the Mount Carmel Catholic High School's 1962 undefeated championship football team.
Martino died on Jan. 22, 2011 and is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery. Kulpmont. Besides his wife, he is survived by his son, three daughters, four grandchildren, and a brother.
The flag that was flown for the past month was in honor and memory of Robert A. Pittello, who served in the United States Navy during World War II. "Taps" was sounded when the Pittello flag was lowered and it was folded by Anthony Candelora, James Kealy and Thomas Shimko. The flag was then presented to his long time friend Mary Lou McCann. The Martino flag was escorted to the ceremony by Shimko and was presented by Martino's wife, Ann. The national anthem was played during the raising. Shimko lowered and raised both flags. David Berezovske read the military records of both veterans and led everyone by reciting The Lord's Prayer. The ceremony ended with a silent salute for all deceased veterans.
Charles Noskoviak carried the American flag to the ceremony and traffic control was provided by Kealy. Berezovske thanked the families and friends of Pittello and Martino for their participation in the program.
The next flag ceremony will be Sunday, April 17, at 1 p.m. when the flag will be raised in honor and memory of Artillo J. Parella, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II.