Felton is deserving of latest honor

Lorain City Council’s 10-0 vote Nov. 19 to honor military veteran Samuel L. Felton Jr. with his name on East 36th Street in South Lorain is a fitting live tribute to a man who made his mark with his contributions to his country and his community.

When the announcement was made at Lorain City Hall, there were cheers and ovations from the audience for Felton.

The stretch of pavement between Grove Avenue, which is state Route 57, and Clinton Avenue, will bear the honorary name “Sgt. Samuel L. Felton Jr. Boulevard.”

In 1969, Felton received the Navy Cross for his actions saving the lives of his fellow Marines while fighting in Vietnam.

Not long after returning home, he became an advocate for veterans and for the city of Lorain and Lorain County.

Felton, who is a humble man, told City Council and the audience, “I want to thank all my family, friends, thank God almighty for giving me the strength to do what I did so long ago, and for the guidance he has given me over the years to do what I do. Because so many of our veterans are taken for granted after their service, but yet they served their country, now they serve their city time and again. And for that, I thank each and every one of you.”

Felton continued that he thanks everyone who has helped him travel the path that he embarked on.

He acknowledged that it’s not easy doing what he does because of disappointments and people who don’t believe in what he’s doing.

But, he said, you have to push on to make things better and make Lorain a better place.

Felton’s voice choked with emotion when he described his travels around the country, always acknowledging Lorain as his hometown.

And it came as no surprise that Felton said his latest honor is for every veteran who has ever served, who has ever fallen and who has ever died for the cause of freedom.

Felton said, “For that, I thank you.”

Lorain Sixth Ward Councilman Angel Arroyo Jr. noted Felton’s achievements when he came under fire serving in Vietnam 49 years ago.

Arroyo said, “And during that time, what Mr. Felton did is what he learned here in Lorain. As he said, he grew up in a troubled neighborhood as a fighter.”

Felton heard his men in distress and went to save two fellow Marines. His story is well known among Lorainites who’ve crossed his path. Felton put the soldiers on his shoulders, took out enemy fighters in front of him and brought the men to safety.

Someone suggested naming a street after a person while they are alive instead of after their death.

Felton did not grow up in South Lorain. But Arroyo said the section of East 36th Street sits next to the Ohio National Guard armory there.

The men and women there train every month and sometimes are called to active duty.

Arroyo pointed out that they will see the name of someone who put his country and city on his shoulders.

The audience, with a number of veterans wearing hats, jackets and clothing designating their service, clearly was excited.

The first round of applause came when Clerk of Council Nancy Greer read the caption for the ordinance. Council did not deliberate on the legislation, but unanimously passed it.

And the vote prompted more claps and cheers and the group offered more applause and shouts of encouragement when Arroyo and Felton spoke.

Lorain has other military leaders who’ve been recognized, such as U.S. Army Gen. Johnnie Wilson, who served in Vietnam and was in charge of logistics in the first Gulf War and who has a Lorain middle school named for him; U.S. Navy Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, who served in The Spanish-American War, WWI and was fleet commander and chief of Naval Operations during WWII, also has an elementary school named for him; U.S. Marine Corps Major Lofton Henderson was a pilot who saw heavy combat action in WWII and has a bridge over the Black River named for him; U.S. Marine Corps Charles Berry, who was killed during the battle for Iwo Jima on March 19, 1945, has a bridge over the Black River named in his honor; and U.S. Army Major Gen. Quincy Adams Gillmore, who served during the Civil War and was noted for his use of the rifled cannon and the Victory at Fort Pulaski.

There are others we may never know who performed heroic actions when they were serving in war.

But we know Felton, and he is worthy of this street named for him.

And from what we know of him, he will share his honor, while he’s alive, with his community.