Melissa Gaona

Virginia

Anchor and Reporter at WDBJ-TV (Roanoke, VA)

Storyteller, proud wife, mommy to two girls under two, Army veteran, Texan living in Virginia! Story ideas email [email protected]

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Articles

Virginia woman shares Gold Star experience

Nov 30, 2024 | ourcommunitynow.com | Melissa Gaona

Share ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Anita Carroll was born in San Francisco, California and left when she was only three or four months old. Anita explains it was partly because it was World War II. “I was born a few months before D-Day in June. ” As the daughter of an Army Officer toward the end of World War II, this is how life started for Anita Carroll and there was no sight of slowing down.
Veteran survives Desert Storm and domestic violence

Jul 25, 2024 | newsbreak.com | Melissa Gaona

Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments.
Veteran survives Desert Storm and domestic violence

Jul 25, 2024 | wdbj7.com | Melissa Gaona

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) -Beverly Ledford grew up in upstate New York. Her family moved quite a bit and ended up in Florida for most of her childhood and teenage years. She was an average student and her grandmother, Mildred Mays, was the glue that held everything together. So, when her grandma passed, everything changed: Beverly went to the Army recruiter and signed up for active duty Military Police. Beverly was barely 18 years old just wanted to run away from home. The military became her escape.
A Roanoke veteran survives combat and domestic violence

Jul 3, 2024 | wdbj7.com | Melissa Gaona

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - It is rare that we hear from female veterans and their time in the military. As a matter of fact, Hometown Veterans: Honoring Our Heroes has only heard from a handful of women who are veterans. Beverly Ledford served in the United States Army, served in Desert Storm and Desert Shield, and is originally from upstate New York.
Unique pet food pantry serves Roanoke area

May 31, 2024 | wdbj7.com | Melissa Gaona

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) -Saleeba’s: Store of Hope has been a staple in Roanoke since 1946. Elizabeth Saleeba’s grandparents started Saleeba’s Grocery in Southeast Roanoke in 1946. Eventually they gave the store to Liz’s parents as a wedding gift. “We always joked that my parents went on a month-long honeymoon and when they came back they never took a vacation again,” Liz laughed. Liz and her husband Cliff took over the store in 1997, but after the chaos of COVID, they decided it was time to retire.
Three Henry County residents tackle the Bataan Memorial Death March

Apr 25, 2024 | wdbj7.com | Melissa Gaona

Henry County, Va. (WDBJ) -One Marine and two very strong patriotic women trained and prepared for six months with a goal to complete the Bataan Memorial Death March in New Mexico. Patrick Rodgers is a veteran who served in the United States Marine Corp. “All the war stories go unheard a lot of times.
WDBJ7 documentary spotlights human trafficking in Virginia

Apr 11, 2024 | ourcommunitynow.com | Melissa Gaona
A group of veterans working to support and honor other veterans

Feb 29, 2024 | wdbj7.com | Melissa Gaona

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) -In 2016, a church in Wirtz, Virginia noticed a need to serve veterans within its own congregation. After meeting the needs of those who served our country, it was clear Faith Fellowship Veterans Ministry was a blessing. Sharing the love of Jesus Christ is the mission of the group and many programs have been birthed through this focus. Honor guard programs are also in place to make sure no veteran is laid to rest without the proper service.
Meet a 9-year-old WWII history buff

Dec 29, 2023 | wdbj7.com | Melissa Gaona

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - After attending a WWII reenactment with his grandfather at the age of 6, Ethan Bucklew has been obsessed with the era ever since. At just 9 years old, Ethan has visited multiple WWII heroes, veterans and Pearl Harbor survivors. To this day, he continues to honor their legacy by educating himself and others on why this time in history is so important.
Toys for Tots launching in our hometowns

Oct 26, 2023 | wdbj7.com | Melissa Gaona

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - The Christmas season is almost here and the United States Marine Corps is already preparing its annual tradition Toys for Tots. Soon you will see collection boxes inside stores all across our hometowns. The basic mission of the program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those to less fortunate children at Christmas. Local campaigns are conducted annually in over 850 communities. Local toy collection campaigns begin in October and last until mid- to late-December.