WHEELING — Cpl. James Leo Thonen had only two months left on his tour of duty in Vietnam when he was killed in action on Jan. 17, 1970. He was just 20 years old.

On Friday, members of his family and his community gathered on Wheeling Island to celebrate his life, to salute his service to his country, and in a way, to welcome him home. As part of the ongoing Military Banner Program in Wheeling, a banner honoring Thonen was erected not far from his childhood home and was dedicated with a special ceremony on Friday.

“Today, we are very grateful to be able to honor Cpl. James Leo Thonen, whose banner can be proudly seen right behind me,” said John Larch, volunteer coordinator for Wheeling’s Military Banner Program, welcoming Thonen’s family and friends to the ceremony. “We’re grateful that t

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