Jefferson County, Ohio---

Members of the community, veterans and some retired steelworkers gathered to honor a group of local steelworkers who gave their lives for their country in World War II.

Zeina Nelson and her sister, Elsie Call, remembered their brother, Willard R. Stone Jr., Wednesday. He was one of the 19 Wheeling Steelworkers who were killed in World War II.

Nelson said, "We wanted to be here. We were very honored that they had done that and that the library pushed it on through for us."

The Steubenville Public Library agreed to display the plaque after it was found abandoned in the building that is now the idle RG Steel Steubenville plant.

Dr. Raymond Boothe discovered the plaque in the plant and said, "I noticed it as actually being a beautiful plaque, and I thought, 'Why is this so hidden in the dark in this old building?' Then I put a flashlight on it and realized what it was, and I said, 'This is something the community needs to keep.'"

The plaque has been cleaned up preserved and can be found across from the main library building on 4th Street.

It was clear the plaque meant a lot to the day's speakers and to those who worked to honor it, but those who attended the event said it means more to the families of those men.

"I think if you look at them, the first thing you see is maybe a tear in their eye," said Joe "Slugs" Smarrella of the Jefferson County Veterans Association. "It's hard for me to talk to them because I'm emotional just seeing them appreciate what was done. Just seeing them is enough for me."

"It's a wonderful feeling," said Elsie Call. "To see the writeup in the paper and just to know that he wasn't forgotten by us, ever, but now, the public knows. It's a good feeling."

Donations from different organizations helped pay for the display. Officials said the plaque has been secured and cemented into the ground so that it cannot be damaged and so the community is able to enjoy it for many years to come.