Monument placed at grave of WWII veteran

May 28-- May 28--BLUEFIELD -- To continue the respect of Memorial Day, and the honor that veterans deserve every day of the year, The American Legion Riley-Vest Post 9 placed a monument on Sgt. Stephen M. Riley's grave, on Monday.

Riley, whom the post is named after, was a World War II veteran. According to David Bailey, the 6th District Vice Commander of the post, Riley served in the 60th infantry 9th division of the 1st Army.

During his service, Riley was killed in action in France on August 3, 1944. Riley's remains have been re-interred multiple times, first, to be buried in Monte Vista Cemetery in Bluefield from Marigny, France. According to Bailey, Marigny is the "Number one cemetery in France." Though Riley was buried in Monte Vista Park Cemetery in Bluefield he was reinterred to Arlington on November 21, 1948.

Due to the dates of his time in France, post chaplain, Jim Worsham, believes it's possible Riley played a part in D-Day, though this isn't confirmed. With D-Day, which was Allied forces storming the beaches of Normandy, France, to fight Nazi, Germany, occurring on June 6, 1944, it's possible Riley played some role.

According to Bailey, Riley's father was also a member of the post.

To honor Riley every year, the post plans to place the monument on his grave on Memorial Day, and then return it to the post to prevent vandalism.

-- Contact Emily D. Coppola at ecoppola@bdtonline.com

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