Veteran saluted for finally getting medals

BOUQUETS >> To Korean War veteran George Dilisio of Wickliffe, on finally receiving the medals of honor that he earned for his service more than 60 years ago.

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township, presented four medals to the 85-year-old at the American Legion Post 7 in Wickliffe on Oct. 16.

Dilisio received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Wickliffe City Councilman David Krych, who is also a member of American Legion Post 7, said the reason Dilisio received the medals more than six decades later is that his records were lost in a fire. With the help of Joyce’s office, Dilisio was able to get the medals he deserved.

Dilisio’s son, Terry, said his father exemplified dependability, excellence and respect while coaching football at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Wickliffe, working as a plumber for 40 years and serving the country in the Korean War.

“This is really an exciting year for dad — he was just inducted in the Wickliffe Hall of Fame a couple of weeks ago for his hard work and volunteering in Catholic Youth Organization football and he also went to Washington, D.C., earlier this year on an Honor Flight program,” he said.

We believe that the latest milestone for Dilisio — the medals presentation — was a fitting tribute to an outstanding man.

BOUQUETS » To Angela Spalsbury of Chester Township, on being selected as the new dean and chief administrative officer of Kent State University Geauga in Burton Township and Kent State’s Regional Academic Center in Twinsburg.

A Kent State alumna, Spalsbury currently serves as professor and chairwoman of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Youngstown State University. She will join Kent State on Jan. 1.

“I am sincerely looking forward to being a part of the dynamic Kent State family,” Spalsbury said in a news release. “I will work diligently with faculty, staff and students to foster a thriving academic environment at Geauga and Twinsburg that best serves the needs of their communities. I am excited about engaging with local businesses and residents to help meet their workforce and educational goals.

“Geauga County has been my home for decades, and I know that there is much talent to cultivate in this region.”

Spalsbury has served as chairwoman of Youngstown State’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics since 2013. She first joined the department in 2001 as assistant professor.

We wish Spalsbury the best as she takes charge at Kent State Geauga.

BRICKBATS » To Jamal Mansour of Rocky River, after he admitted to fatally shooting his daughter while she slept, saying he believed she disrespected his rules by coming home late and not cleaning her room.

Mansour pleaded guilty Oct. 17 in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court to involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault and has been sentenced to 22 years in prison. The 64-year-old dad earlier pleaded not guilty to charges including aggravated murder in 27-year-old Tahani Mansour’s death last year.

Cleveland.com reports Mansour says he believed his daughter didn’t respect his house rules. Prosecutors say Mansour told investigators he grabbed a gun, thinking she would “respect” that.

Fox 8 Cleveland reports defense attorney Angelo Lonardo said the shooting followed a fight over the daughter’s room being a mess.

Mansour cried and apologized, saying he wishes he were the one dead.

It’s too bad that Mansour didn’t think a lot sooner about how to handle this problem with his daughter in a nonviolent manner. If he had, a tragedy could have been averted.

BRICKBATS » To Zachary Harris of Columbus, after he pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated murder in a driveby shooting in Hamilton.

Prosecutors say Harris, 25, entered his plea Oct. 23 shortly before jury selection was scheduled to start. Harris would have faced the death penalty if he was convicted at trial.

Harris’ attorney says the man has taken responsibility for the deaths of Todd Berus and Orlando Gilbert, both 25 years old.

Harris was one of three men charged in the August 2016 shooting in Hamilton. Prosecutors say the shooting was part of a murder-for-hire plot in retaliation for a deadly shooting at Doubles Bar the month before.

WCPO of Cincinnati reported that Harris, in exchange for the guilty plea, will receive a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

It’s a shame that Harris squandered the rest of life because he decided to get involved in such a heinous criminal scheme.