The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en Volume 13, Number 17
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Thursday, April 23, 2009
‘I want to see my name’ By Olivia L. Lawrence Associate Editor
Citizen photo by Olivia L. Lawrence
Robert Gardner, 87, who grew up in Berlin, wanted to see his name on the list of people who’d served in World War II at the war memorial at the Civil War Memorial on Worthington Ridge. He found his name as well as his brother William.
(This two-part story explores the life of a brickmaker’s son growing up in Berlin in the early part of the last century. Last week: The early days. This week: A return home.) Robert Gardner wanted to see his name on the list of people who’d served in World War II, at the war memorial at the Civil War Memorial on Worthington Ridge. “My name’s there and so is my brother William’s,” Gardner said. At the age of 87, this request from a former commander of the American Legion has certain expediency to it. These days, Gardner lives in New Britain at St Lucian’s Residence but Berlin is always uppermost in his thoughts and he considers the town home. I was put in contact with him through a
See Gardner, page 13
Leonard ‘steps up’ the effort for a cancer cure Russ Leonard doesn’t plan to count his every step once he sets out on his 24-hour walk during the Relay For Life of Berlin, but he knows what those steps will add up to in the end. The American Cancer Society will be a huge stride closer to a cure for what remains America’s number one most deadly disease. Relay For Life of Berlin, part of the American Cancer Society’s signature national fundraising event, will be
held at the Berlin Lion’s Club fair grounds beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 30, and concluding Sunday morning, May 31. The cure begins with a single step Leonard, Relay For Life of Berlin honorary chairman and a Relay team captain, plans to walk for 24 hours straight (minus bathroom breaks) in the annual event. The 52-year-old Plantsville resident estimates he will walk some 60 miles during
Countdown to Berlin Relay: 5 Weeks
that time. He is going the distance to raise cancer awareness—and to support his wife of 30 years, Marilyn, a three-time cancer survivor. “Over the years, Marilyn has endured nine surgeries, massive radiation and chemotherapy,” said Leonard. “Today she is doing well and has a promising future, thanks in part to the work of the American Cancer Society.” Joining Leonard on his 24-
hour walk will be Berlin resident Dave Lea, 47, a friend of Leonard’s who said he wants to walk alongside him because “someone has to keep Russ awake.” He should be able to do that because, according to Leonard, Lea is known to be quite a comic and a talker— but he has another reason for participating in the Relay For Life of Berlin. Lea lost his sister-in-law, Kim Lea, to
See Relay, page 11