St. Marys council adopts resolution urging federal help to recover remains of Lt. Jean Alton Dennis

St. Marys City Council unanimously adopted a resolution expressing support for efforts to find, identify and return the remains of First Lieutenant Jean Alton Dennis, who was shot down in the Korean War in 1952. The resolution, read aloud at the meeting, notes that the family has submitted a DNA sample and that a petition is seeking 10,000 signatures to press federal action.

At the meeting, a community representative, identified in the record as Mister Breer, thanked the council for its support and said Dennis remains the only person from St. Marys still listed as missing in action. Breer urged residents to sign the petition and asked local federal representatives to press for action, saying the current administration’s diplomatic activity makes this an opportune moment to pursue repatriation.

Council members moved to adopt the measure and the council recorded a unanimous voice vote of "all yeses." The resolution directs the clerk to present a certified copy to the Veterans Foundation and Museum of St. Marys for inclusion with the petition or for presentation to responsible federal representatives.

The resolution asks the federal government to find, identify and return the remains and calls on St. Marys residents to sign the petition in support. The museum and veterans organization were named as recipients of the certified copy for advocacy purposes. The council did not specify next steps for follow-up beyond forwarding the resolution and encouraging signatures.