WARREN - Long-time community member and civic leader Robert Dean was recently inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame at a ceremony held at the United States Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson Air Base in Dayton.
Dean is one of three inductees from Trumbull County to be included in the hall in its 20-year-history. The other two are Sam Lanza and Bob Brothers, both of whom are active in veterans' programs and events each year in the county. Brothers was inducted in 2009 and Lanza in 2008.
The induction recognizes contributions / achievements by individuals following the veteran's discharge. The organization inducts members who finished their military service and continue to serve their community.
''When you go there and see all that is there, it is amazing. The event was first class from start to closing prayer,'' Dean said.
Dean and his wife, Nedra, along with local Warren pastors the Rev. George Johnson of Agape Assembly Church, the Rev. Regina Thornton of Grace AME Church and the Rev. Rick Oaks of First Methodist Church of Warren, attended the induction.
Dean served in the Air Force from 1962 to 1982 and retired as a senior master sergeant.
Dean was recently involved over Thanksgiving with other officials in getting items and clothing for veterans at two veterans hospitals in Ohio. He also has been involved in helping families in need, such as getting winter coats for children as part of annual coat giveaway. He also helped raise more than $16,000 to assist with the burial of four children killed in a fire and helping to distribute more than 800 smoke detectors at local schools.
There have been 435 inductees in the Hall of Fame since its formation in 1992.