A Vietnam-era veteran has been tapped as the guest speaker for this year's Navy Night celebration.

James Bradshaw served as a United States Naval Reserve officer from 1962 to 1965.

As an ensign and later lieutenant j.g., he held various positions, including boat commander, first lieutenant, navigator and combat information center officer aboard two attack troops transport ships, the USS Talladega and the USS Sandoval.

During his tour on the Talladega in 1963, his ship landed Marines in Qui Nhon, Vietnam.

Bradshaw is a native of Ironton, and earned a degree in journalism at Ohio University, Athens.

He worked at newspapers throughout the state before retiring in 2001.

Bradshaw now lives in Columbus with his wife, Carol and daughter, Susan.

The Navy Night observance will be at 7 p.m. May 23 at the Center street boat landing in downtown Ironton.

The president of the Ohio Veterans of Foreign wars will be the guest speaker for the remembrance service at Woodland Memorial Cemetery Sunday, May 26.

Ironton Lawrence County Memorial Day Parade Committee member Jim Adkins said State Commander Greg Vela will speak at the Sunday afternoon observance. Mary Miller, president of the state VFW Ladies' Auxiliary will also speak.

Parade Grand Marshal Sue Lunsford said she hopes for a large turnout at both events.

&uot;We expect about 300 for Navy Night,&uot; Lunsford said. &uot;We would like to see 300

there at Woodland cemetery, too. It's a Sunday afternoon, there's no reason we

can't have that many.&uot;

&uot;It depends a lot on the weather,&uot; Adkins said. Still, he hopes people will come and show their support for those who paid the ultimate price for America's 200-plus years of freedom.

&uot;You go to one of these services and you'll understand why we have the freedoms we do,&uot; Adkins said. &uot;Freedom is the most expensive thing we have. It took many lives to get the freedoms we have. These service are dedicated to those who went to fight for our freedom and didn't come home.&uot; Teresa Moore/The Ironton Tribune