Memorial Day 2016

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2016 Memorial Day

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May 28, 2016

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2016

MEMORIAL

DAY FREEDOM ISN’T FREE. HONORING OUR FALLEN HEROES. A Special Supplement to The News Sun, The Herald Republican and The Star on May 28, 2016.

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2016 Memorial Day

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May 28, 2016

Their legacy lives on

Tracey Robideau trobideau@kpcmedia.com Special Sections Graphic Designer

This holiday weekend, we pause to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who, with courage and honor, protected and served our nation.

Memorial Day is for the men and women who paid the ultimate price so that we can be free. But, truth be told, they deserve so much more.

Mike Marturello mmarturello@kpcmedia.com Special Sections Editor

Barry Rochford brochford@kpcmedia.com Managing Editor The News Sun

102 N. Main Street, Kendallville, IN 46755 (260) 347-0400

Dennis Nartker dnartker@kpcmedia.com

Terry G. Housholder

In this special Memorial Day publication, we remember those who served.

We are thankful for their commitment, their spirit and their dedication to duty.

Their legacy lives on, and it is our privilege to share it with you.

— KPC Media Group staff

Reporter

thousholder@kpcmedia.com

Kelly Lynch

President/Publisher

klynch@kpcmedia.com

Randy Mitchell

Reporter

randymitchell@kpcmedia.com Chief Executive Officer

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Jeff Jones Cindy Miller Terri Myers Michele Trowbridge Machele Waid

S. Rick Mitchell rickmitchell@kpcmedia.com Chief Financial Officer

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Ann Saggars asaggars@kpcmedia.com Creative Manager

WE PROUDLY SALUTE OUR VETERANS!

ANGOLA AMERICAN LEGION FOR GOD AND COUNTRY WE ASSOCIATE TOGETHER FOR COMMUNITY, STATE AND NATION. WE ARE VETERANS STILL SERVING AMERICA.

“American Legion wants you.”

We cordially invite you to stop by the Angola American Legion today and discover all of the benefits of becoming a member! We are always seeking new members to promote community involvement and participation!

“Proud To Serve Those Who Served”

LEGION POST PROGRAMS: • Americanism & Government • American Legion Baseball • Boys State/Boys Nation • Girls State/Girls Nation • High School Oratorical • Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts • Flag Education • Junior Shooting Sports

BINGO AND FISH FRYS

• Junior Law Cadet Program • Law Enforcement Officer of the Year • School Teacher of the Year • Fire Fighter / EMS of the Year • Eagle Scout of the Year • Girl Scout of the Year • Scholarships Programs Are Open To ALL School Children

PROGRAMS, EVENTS, BINGO AND FISH FRYS ALL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Sunday - 5 PM Monday & Thursday 6 PM

Fish Fry Friday 5 - 7 PM

1760 W. MAUMEE ST., ANGOLA • 665-3363

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May 28, 2016

Allie Alfrey US Army WW1

One of the first members of American Legion Post 243

Art Hathaway

Served in WW2. Post 243 keeps his memory alive.

Burl Lepird

(On the left) was in the Navy stationed at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He willed much of his estate to West Noble American Legion Post 243. We are thankful for him every day.

Alvin Ruff

Served in the U.S. Army during WW2.

His family are members of Post 243 and we all thank him for his service.

Ben Blackshire

Served in the Navy. He is remembered by Post 243.

Carl S. Wheeler

Served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1909-1912. His son is a member of Post 243.

2016 Memorial Day

Archie V. Ball

Served in the U.S. Army from 1948-1968 with tours in Korea and Germany. Died Nov. 2, 2014.

Post 243 is proud of his service.

Bill and Dot Foster

Bill was a gunner’s mate on the U.S.S. Hammon from July 1942 ‘til October 1945. Post 243 favorites.

Carroll “Peck” Leitch

Was in the 698 Inf. in WW2.

He was in Germany and was highly decorated. Post 243.

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Armando Chuck Cooley

Served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War. His grandchildren are Post 243 members.

Bob Vance

Was a WW2 Veteran whom Post 243 misses very much.

Carroll Skipper

Served in the Navy during WW2. His children are Post 243 members.

2016 Memorial Day

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Duty-bound

BY DENNIS NARTKER dnartker@kpcmedia.com

They stand at a attention in cemeteries throughout the area.

One member holds a pole with an American flag flapping in the breeze.

Others hold their M1 Garand drill rifles by their side, waiting for orders from their sergeant-at-arms to perform the ceremonial 21-gun salute.

This scene is played out in all kinds of weather, any day of the year, every time a veteran of the military is laid to rest. The members of the long gray line are there to honor their fallen comrades.

They are the honor guards from area American Legion posts and V.F.W. posts.

They go whenever and wherever they’re asked by family members of deceased veterans and funeral homes.

“If they call us, we go,” said Ivan Dressler, a U.S. Marines Corps veteran of the Korean War and a member of the combined honor guard of American Legion Post 86 and Francis Vinyard V.F.W. Post 2749 in Kendallville, and American Legion Post 381 in Rome City.

May 28, 2016

Long after their service, honor guard members are compelled to pay tribute to fallen veterans

They do it not for money or publicity, or to play soldier again long past their discharge date. They do it because they believe to a man that a veteran deserves to be honored this one last time.

“If you put a military Hulen uniform on, you get the service. You should get the service,” said U.S. Army Vietnam veteran Tom Mortimore, also a member of the combined honor guard in Kendallville and Rome City.

“Our guys are very loyal. They love what they do and believe strongly in Cook the service,” said “Tucker” DePew, adjutant for American Legion Post 178 in Garrett and a member of the post’s honor guard.

Honor guards are ceremonial units, usually military in nature, and composed of volunteers. Their primary role is to provide

funeral honors for veterans.

Members fire a 21-gun salute and play “Taps.”

Area honor guards also perform at special events, such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day services.

Area American Legion and VFW posts also may Meyer have color guards who present the flags at special events and march in parades, but honor guards perform the cemetery services.

Orland American Legion Post 423 has 20 to 22 honor guard members that post adjutant and sometimes sergeant-atarms Bill Salough, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, can call on to serve at funerals.

“We do about 30 funerals a year,” he said, adding they go where they’re needed — and that can mean beyond Steuben County.

Francis Vinyard V.F.W. Post 2749 Commander Jim Cook, 70, has a list of 20 to 25 active honor guard members he can call on.

“Sometimes they’re not available, but

we manage to get enough each time,” he said.

The honor guard performs at about 30 funerals a year. In 2014, the Indiana National Guard presented its prestigious Indiana Funeral Honors Ribbon to the combined Kendallville and Rome City honor guard.

Honor guard members, as well as members of the American Legion and V.F.W. posts, also place U.S. flags at the grave sites of veterans in area cemeteries for Memorial Day observances. Garrett American Legion Post 178 placed 1,180 flags in 2015.

One common factor with all area honor guards is the age of their members. A majority of the members are in their late 60s, 70s, early 80s and even older.

World War II veteran Jack Garrett was 95 when KPC Media Group first published this story in October 2015 and a loyal member of the Kendallville and Rome City combined honor guard. He can still hold an eight-pound M1 rifle to his shoulder.

Supporting All Veterans The public is invited to these events:

Texas Hold’ Em Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

Dinners Every Friday at 5 p.m.

Saturday Bingo at 2 p.m.

WEST NOBLE AMERICAN LEGION POST 243

100 S. Main St., Ligonier corner of Main & Lincolnway

260-894-3430 License #120053

See DUTY-BOUND page 7

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May 28, 2016

Cecil Phares

Served in WW1. He was one of Post 243’s founders.

Clifford Thompson SP4/4, Army

Vietnam 1971-72 Proud to do his service.

Wayne E. Kimmel Private, Army

“Gone but not forgotten.”

Love always, your family

Charles E. Blackshire U.S. Army

Served in the U.S. Army. Post 243 is keeping his memory alive.

Memorial Day Color Guard in 2014 From L to R: Tommy Magers, Freddy Garza, Raven Hicks, Tom DeBuler and Dick Baker.

Dennis Graff U.S. Army

Served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1983 retiring with the rank of MSGT. Post 243 retains his memory in our archives.

2016 Memorial Day

Charles E. Magers

Was in the Army Air Force stationed in Alaska from 1942 ‘til 1945. He is Tommy Magers’ brother.

Dean Holden

served in the Navy during WW2.

He was a past post commander of Post 243.

Dennis Thompson SPC, Army

Vietnam 1967-68 So “proud” to serve his country.

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Charles W. Sanders

May 30, 1924 - Feb. 3, 2015

Tec 5 U.S. Army, WWII Loving husband, father and grandfather

Dean Parson

Served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Post 243 misses him.

Diamond Hicks

He believed in good moral values, loved God, his country and his family. Our hero in heaven.

We love you.

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2016 Memorial Day

Dick Baker

Served in the Korean War and helped Honor Guard at Post 243 as long as he could. We miss him.

Duane Trowbridge

Served in Saigon, Vietnam, in 1967.

Post 243 Remembers.

Edward J. Magers

Served in the Signal Corps in WWI. He is Tommy and Charles Magers’ father. A great Post 243 family.

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Doc Stone

Served in Korea with the U.S. Navy.

A Post 243 favorite who just returned from the April 17, 2016, Honor Flight.

Duke Mullins

He honorably served his country in the Korean War. Love, Karen Smith and Sharon Tuffley

Eldon “Hank” Lippert

Served in the Navy in WW2 on the L.S.T. 668 in the Pacific. Post 243.

May 28, 2016

Don Underwood

Served in the Army. Post 243 is proud of his service.

EL Rey Magnus

He was a glider pilot, paratrooper, and pathfinder during WW2. When the war ended, he was assigned to MacArthur’s military government in Tokyo. His son is Post 243’s current commander.

Emil Mullins

Served in WW2.

Post 243 misses him.

Donald F. Rasbaugh

Served in the U.S. Navy during WW2.

He was able to go on the honor flight before his passing. Post 243 misses him.

Ed Creamer

Was a POW in WW2 Post 243 misses him.

Pvt. Eugene Wheeler

Served as a B-17 Crew Chief in WW2. Post 243 misses him.

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May 28, 2016

2016 Memorial Day

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KPC FILE PHOTO

Garrett American Legion Post 178 honor guard members perform burial rites for a veteran.

DUTY-BOUND From page 4

Former Garrett mayor Herb Kleeman was 91 and a veteran of World War II. He has been a member of the Garrett American Legion Post 178 honor guard for 68 years. “Herb is a regular. He’s been very loyal,” DePew said.

The oldest active honor guard member

at the Orland American Legion post was 88, said Salough.

Younger V.F.W. and American Legion members are needed to ensure honor guards continue their service in the area. The Kendallville American Legion and V.F.W. posts, and the Rome City American Legion post have a combined honor guard because of the shortage of reliable volunteers.

Garrett American Legion Post 178 will

call on Auburn American Legion Post 97 member to fill out its honor guard assignments.

U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran Tom Hulen has been a member of the combined honor guard for 20 years. “We need younger replacements,” he said.

Members of the Sons of the American Legion and legion men’s auxiliaries can join the honor guards, but not enough have stepped forward to replace the aging

members.

“Our membership is going down. We’re getting older, and young guys are not stepping up. Who is going to be there for us when we die?” DePew asked.

Jim Georgel was in the U.S. Army in the Korean War. He holds the American flag at veterans’ funerals as a member of the Kendallville and Rome City combined See DUTY-BOUND page 9

“We’re Thankful For All Who Have Sacrificed So Much For Us”

Star of the West Milling Co. Producers of Quality Soft Wheat Bakery Flour • Since 1870 100 Richmond Street, Ligonier, IN • 260-894-4114

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2016 Memorial Day

Floyd Oren Maxon Jr.

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Dr. Floyd Warren

May 28, 2016

Forrest Rosenogle

Was in WW2. He was a private whose family members are strong supporters of Post 243.

Served in the U.S. Army and Reserve, retiring as Lt. Col. He was a veterinarian and a local historian. He has been a member of Post 243 for over 50 years. He just returned from the April 17, 2016, Honor Flight.

Served in the U.S. Navy. A great veteran of whom Post 243 is proud.

George Alex Baker

George and Lee Baker

Glade Rupert

Was shot in the leg and received his Purple Heart. George is the father of Greg Baker, West Noble’s principal.

Grover Duncan Webb

Served in WW1. He died from mustard gas poisoning.

Lee died in France and is buried in Lorraine, France, American Cemetery. Freedom is not free.

Served in the U.S. Army as a dentist in WW1. He was in four major battles. He was the first commander of American Legion Post 243. He died at age 50.

Grover Patrick

Henry “Edwin” White

Served in the U.S. Navy during WW2. He was the mayor of Ligonier and Post 243 is very proud of him.

Served on a ship in WW2.

Post 243.

Fred Ott

Was a POW in WW2.

Post 243 misses him.

Glen Waller

Received his commission following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

He reported for duty Feb. 11, 1942 at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio.

Isaiah Edwards 224 Weapons Co., Sergeant Marines, Iraq “Semper Fi”

May 28, 2016

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2016 Memorial Day

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DUTY-BOUND From page 7

honor guard. He sees it as his duty to pay respect to decreased veterans. “We got to keep it going,” he said.

As part of the service at the cemeteries, area honor guard members give families of the deceased veterans the spent shells from the 21-gun salute. Active military, if present, give the family the folded American flag that was on the casket. If they’re not present, a member of the honor guard performs this duty.

“I get choked up every time I have to do that,” Cook said.

Honor guards are not paid to be a part of services, but they do accept donations.

Any money they receive is used for uniforms and rifle maintenance. Their uniforms are usually matching white shirt, ties and caps, and for winter matching blazers or jackets.

Despite their declining numbers, the long gray line will persevere, according to honor guard members interviewed for this story.

“It’s our duty to give them the military rites,” said U.S. Army veteran Dave Fiandt, 83, a member of the Kendallville and Rome City combined honor guard for about 30 years.

Sgt. & Mrs. Timothy R. Branam In Washington, D.C., in 2010.

Post 243 is proud of our young people serving today.

FREE Online Calendar

KPC FILE PHOTOS

Members of the combined honor guard from Francis Vinyard V.F.W. Post 2749 and American Legion Post 86 in Kendallville and Rome City American Legion Post 381 perform a 21-gun salute during a Memorial Day service in Kendallville in 2015.

Submit your local event, club meeting, etc. online at KPCnews.com Scroll down the page or click on the “Share News” tab to access calendar.

Check it out today!!

WE SALUTE ALL WHO HAVE SERVED 260-894-7161 www.ligtel.com

Thank You For Our Freedom!

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2016 Memorial Day

Jack W. Gaerte

Was in the infantry in the Pacific during WW2. He received two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star. Post 243 is very proud to have known Jack.

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Jack Lord

We lost Jack last year.

Post 243 misses him.

May 28, 2016

SPC Jack Tucker US Army, 82nd Airborne

Jack was killed 7/8/97 in a Blackhawk helicopter crash. GODSPEED JACK. Love, Mom & Dad

Jacob Edwards Sergeant, Army 1st BDE 25th Inf. Div. Stryker BDE, Iraq - Afghanistan. “Follow Me”

PFC. Jay E. Keck James V. Anderson PFC, WW2

James Felger E4, Navy

American Legion Post 243 misses him.

Thank you for your service! You are a blessing. Love, your family.

James Sprinkle Sergeant, U.S. Army

James Vorndran Serving on U.S. Steinacker from 1948 - 1954. Steinacker DD 863 Radar Man.

Korea - Tanker

Echo 2/7 Marine Corps Division

Thank you for your service. You are loved and missed. Love, your family (Linda, Carrie, Aaron, Jessica, Makayla, Kaitlyn, D.J.)

Jeff Shearer Corporal, U.S. Marines

I’m proud of you, son. - Love, Mom Semper Fi

James M. Wyatt

Served in the U.S. Army in 1975.

We lost him too early to cancer.

His wife is a Post 243 volunteer.

Jesse L. Belcher PFC Army Korean War 1953-55.

Gone but always in our hearts.

Love, Nancy and family

May 28, 2016

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2016 Memorial Day

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The history of Memorial Day We Salute Our Veterans.

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Though many people are quick to refer to Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer, the day is much more than that. Initially known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day to remember those military members who died in service of the country.

The origins of Memorial Day remain a topic of debate. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. However, the roots of Memorial Day likely run much deeper, as researchers at Duke University note that during the Civil War, organized women’s groups in the south had begun to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers.

Memorial Day as we know it today can likely be traced to Charleston, South Carolina, where teachers, missionaries and some members of the press gathered on May 1, 1865, to honor fallen soldiers. During the Civil War, captured Union soldiers were held at the Charleston Race Course and hundreds died during captivity. Upon their deaths, soldiers were buried in unmarked graves. When the Civil War ended, the May Day gathering was organized as a memorial to all the men who had died during captivity. The burial ground was landscaped, and those freed as a result of the Civil War played an integral role in the event at the Charleston Race Course.

While the event in Charleston might have been the first Memorial Day-type celebration in the southern United States, General John A. Logan is often cited as inspiring similar events in the north. As commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans’ organization for men who served in the Civil War, General Logan issued a proclamation just five days after the Charleston event that called for Decoration Day to be observed annually across the country.

Logan preferred the event not be held on the anniversary of any particular battle, and thus the day was observed for the first time on May 30. Celebrating the day in May also was significant to event organizers because May is a month when flowers are in bloom, making it easier for observers of the holiday to place

Thank you for your courage and sacrifice.

Join Us On Saturday, May 28

Honor Guard Gun Salute begins Downtown 10 AM

We will then visit each cemetery before completing our ceremony at the Legion.

Auxiliary Rib Dinner • 5-7 PM • Sat., May 28

Orland American Legion Post 423

6215 N. St. Rd. 327, Orland, IN 46776 • 260-829-6544

One of 3 Legion Posts Serving Steuben County

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers.

In 1868, events were held at more than 180 cemeteries in 27 states, and those figures nearly doubled in 1869.

By 1890, every northern state officially recognized Decoration Day as a state holiday. But southern states honored their dead on a different day until after World War I, when the holiday was changed to recognize Americans who died in any war and not just the Civil War. Nearly every state now celebrates Memorial Day, a name for the holiday first used in 1882, on the last Monday in May.

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THE NEWS SUN

The

THE

HERALD REPUBLICAN

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2016 Memorial Day

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May 28, 2016

Homegrown by Heroes program launched INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Indiana Grown initiative has unveiled the Indiana Grown Homegrown By Heroes program, which gives Hoosiers a new, tangible way to support local veterans with agriculture businesses.

The Indiana Grown Homegrown By Heroes program gives local producers who have served in the military the opportunity to use an exclusively designed logo on their business signage and/or product labels. This will help consumers who wish to show their support easily identify products made by Hoosier veterans.

“Indiana Grown is proud of have members of the military as part of the program, and we welcome others to

join,” said Mike McKinney, director of the Department of Agriculture. “With this new distinction, we are giving back and supporting those who have served our country, and continue to serve by providing quality agricultural products to Hoosiers.”

Homegrown By Heroes is a national program administered by the Farmer Veteran Coalition and has grown to include more than 250 members in 43 states, including Indiana. The program not only supports members of the military while working to address the veteran unemployment rate, which continues to exceed the national average, but also uplifts the agriculture industry.

“I’m thrilled to be in my home state

launching a new chapter of Homegrown

By Heroes and celebrating the program partnership with Indiana Grown,” said Sara Creech, owner of Blue Yonder Organic Farm. “As a veteran and local agriculture business owner, I see great value in the Homegrown By Heroes program and look forward to seeing its impact on my fellow veterans and Indiana Grown members.”

To be eligible for the Indiana Grown Homegrown By Heroes logo, the producer must meet all Indiana Grown membership criteria, as well as: • have veteran, active duty, National Guard or Reserve member of the U.S. Armed Forces status, without regard to age or era of duty;

• provide a copy of a Department of Defense Form 214 or equivalent; • have characterization of service of Honorable or General (under Honorable conditions); • provide a letter of support from a commanding officer or designated representative attesting to their service under honorable conditions if they are an active duty member; and • maintain 50 percent or greater veteran ownership of their business or operation and 50 percent or greater veteran management control.

For more information on Indiana Grown and the Indiana Grown Homegrown By Heroes program, or to apply for membership, people may visit IndianaGrown.org.

ANGOLA VFW POST #7205

Veterans of Foreign Wars Cordially invites you to stop in and see what we do!

Always accepting new members.

Open to veterans and their families.

• Canteen Open Everyday • Chicken Dinner every Wednesday • Specials served on Friday Active in the community & support of many local organizations.

Our Auxiliary is currently hosting fund raisers to help Homeless Veteran’s in Steuben County.

Join the Movement. Join the VFW.

Stand strong with the 1.3 million members of the nations largest organization of combat veterans.

SR 127 • Angola, IN • (260) 665-5600

Memorial Day Celebrate • Honor • Remember

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May 28, 2016

2016 Memorial Day

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Thank you to all of our veterans and troops for the sacrifices you have made for our freedom.

NOBLE COUNTY DISPOSAL Jim Pierson Jr. CPL, US Marine, Vietnam 1969 Jim, you always said you are a Marine for life and you will be my husband and love of my life. Love you forever, Dinah

Jim Wallace

Residential & Commercial

Served in the U.S. Navy. Post 243 is keeping his memory alive.

3, 4 & 6 Yard Clean-up Containers Electronic & Fluorescent Drop Off Location

800-292-9098

www.NCDisposal.com

John Edwards Sergeant, Army nd 2 Btn, 151st Inf. Co. B 3rd Herd “Follow Me”

John Goffery

Was killed in Vietnam in 1966.

Post 243 is keeping his memory alive. Freedom is not free.

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Joseph Edward Scott

Was in the trenches of WWI in France. He is cousin of Mary Gaerte, a Post 243 supporter.

Joseph Stump

Served in the Army during WW2.

Post 243 celebrates his sacrifice.

Footlong Sub Sandwiches $ *With This Coupon

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2016 Memorial Day

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HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY FROM

May 28, 2016

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May 28, 2016

2016 Memorial Day

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God Bless Our Military

Kenneth Neuhouser

Served with honors in Vietnam and Laos. On March 8, 1971, he was awarded the Air Medal for heroism.

Kenneth I. Warner W2/C U.S. Navy WWII

Your life was a blessing and your memory is our treasure. We loved you then and still do beyond measure. Naida, Greg & Brandon

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in all their decisions. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming.

We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decision.

Protect and guide our Military, oh Lord; strengthen them in their trials; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Kenneth N. Franks

Served in the Army during WW2. He was Scoutmaster for many years. Kenny and his father, Karl, were very active members of Post 243.

Kenny Green

Served in the Navy during WW2.

Post 243 is proud of Kenny.

SOUTH MILFORD CHURCH OF CHRIST Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School for all ages 9 a.m.-10 a.m.

Student Ministry Sundays 5-6:30 p.m. • Small Group Bible Studies Sr. Minister Brian Walter • Youth & Associate Minister Clayton MacDonald Children’s Director Deb Robertson • Senior’s Minister Jim Mertz

Kris Edwards 381st MP Co., Army “Send Me”

Larry “Red Eye” Reed Is missed by Post 243.

8030 E. 600 S., Wolcottville, IN 46795 260-351-3671 • southmilfordchurchofchrist.com

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2016 Memorial Day

Larry Dean Tully

Is missed by his friends at Post 243.

Leone Green

(Kenny’s wife) Served with the WACs in WW2. Post 243 is proud of Leone.

PFC Wilber J. Dukes

Killed on Luzon, Phillipines, March 9, 1945. A Ligonier boy who gave it all. Post 243 has not forgotten.

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Latty Homer Landed on Omaha Beach, WWII D-Day, with the Navy. Joined the Air Force & fought in Korea.

Martin Anderson

Was a mule skinner in Burma in 1942, hauling supplies over the Himalayan Mountains until they started using airplanes. Post 243.

William “Billy” Wolf

Served in the U.S. Army in WW2. He was married to Helen for 55 years. She is currently Post 243’s oldest auxiliary member.

May 28, 2016

Lee Lehman

Leonard A. Shoudel

Was in Vietnam and a Post 243 trustee for a very long time.

You’ve left behind our broken hearts and precious memories too. But we’ve never wanted memories, only you. Love Dolores, Jeanne and Jim

Matthew Baker 82nd Airborne Div., Army Ranger

Maurice and Herb LeCount

Yehuda Jacob Barch

Alexis Fry U.S.A.F

The Cliff Thompson family is proud of you.

Served in the U.S. Army in Okinawa in 1953. His flag is on display at Post 243.

Served in the U.S. Navy.

This picture was taken in 1927 or 1928.

Proud of you!

Grandma and Grandpa

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May 28, 2016

2016 Memorial Day

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Veterans organizations put donations to use

BY DENNIS NARTKER dnartker@kpcmedia.com

KENDALLVILLE — American Legion Post 86 replaced its worn-out kitchen exhaust system with proceeds from KPC Media Group Inc.’s “A Salute to the Troops” special Veterans Day publication published last November.

Francis Vinyard VFW Post 2749 will use the proceeds to assist veterans with paying bills.

For “A Salute to the Troops,” readers

were invited to submit photos for $5 of loved ones who have served in the military and sacrificed for the country. KPD Media Group received $1,200, and donated $600 each to the local American Legion and VFW posts.

Francis Vinyard VFW Post 2749 Commander Jim Cook said the money went into the post’s Veterans Relief Fund, and is used to help veterans. Assistance may be as simple as gas money to get to an

appointment, or paying a utility bill or rent.

The post has helped families of veterans with food and Christmas presents for the children, and paid for repairs to homes and appliances.

“That fund is used only for veterans in need of help when we learn about them,” Cook said.

Sam Campbell, commander of American Legion Post 86, said the $600 came at just the right time. The legion’s

kitchen exhaust system that filters out smoke and hot air had worn out and needed replacing.

“We needed the new exhaust system to keep the kitchen going,” he said.

The post used the $600 to pay half the cost of the new system. “We’re thankful for the donation. It sure helped.”

Hossinger Refrigeration of Kendallville did he work. Campbell said the post tries to use local contractors as mush as possible.

Community comes first at American Legion post

BY KELLY LYNCH klynch@kpcmedia.com

LIGONIER — With a 96-year history in Ligonier, the West Noble American Legion aims to not only help veterans, but the community, too.

Finance officer James Gary (Andy) Anderson, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, believes it’s the organization’s duty to help all those who need it,

especially the men and women coming back from deployment.

“It’s kind of a morale builder,” Anderson said. “A guy comes out of the war zone … He can be with people that are dealing with the same issues he is.”

The legion’s current focus is on dealing with and helping to prevent the 22 veteran suicides that take place nationally every day, said Anderson.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten!

Dep Hornberger

Steve Kirkpatrick

Janis Sobieski

260-349-8557

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Nick Sobieski

Jim Vandiver

Shawn Hoover

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Deb Koos

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veterans’ funerals.

The group raised and awarded more than $10,000 for community projects last year, and through its fish fries, bingo nights and Legion-run bar and grill, Anderson hopes to continue to provide these services to those in Ligonier.

“As long as people keep playing bingo, we plan to do it,” Anderson said.

Thank you for your sacrifice

JOHN SATTERTHWAITE

Dawn Hurley

Andy Treesh ABR, CRB, CRS, GRI

With a total of about 340 members — 170 of which are veterans — Legion Post 243, located at 100 S. Main St., works to better the community by providing local scholarships and welfare funding to residents, as well as assisting veterans who need help with life, financial or health decisions through Veterans Affairs. Members also provide honor guards for local

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2016 Memorial Day

Max L. Markle Technician, 5th Grade U.S. Army WWII, Jerry Markle and Pat Hollman

Michael K. Hooley

He served in the U.S. Navy. Post 243 and his family miss him.

SPC Nicholas S. Hartge Army

In memory of our son and hero who served our great country proudly.

Always in our hearts.

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Max E. Likens S1C, U.S. Navy

WWII Pacific Theater, 1944-46. USS Baltimore (CA-68), Admiral Halsey’s 3rd Fleet

Omer Blackshire

A Navy veteran of whom Post 243 is proud of.

Norm Biddle

Was in the U.S. Army during WW2.

He was a past commander and one of the most active members of Post 243.

May 28, 2016

Max Neuhouser

Served with the Army in Korea. He was a very active member of Post 243 and we miss him very much.

Owen Snyder

SSgt. Melvin Cory WW2 Army Air Corp.

Post 243 is proud of Mel.

Morris Garber

An Army veteran who was a Post 243 member for many years.

(Pictured with his son) Morris served in the Army.

Post 243 remembers.

Michael C. Rigsby

Michael Shoudel Army 66-69, Vietnam 67-68 “You’ll always be my hero.”

Love, Mary

Was a combat engineer from 2009-2012.

He served in Afghanistan as roadside clearance and was wounded four times. He is a great-grandson of Mary Gaerte. Mary and Post 243 are very proud of him.

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May 28, 2016

Memorials bring back memories

2016 Memorial Day

19

Area veterans visit the nation’s capital on Honor Flight 19

KPC NEWS SERVICES

FORT WAYNE — Honor Flight Northeast Indiana’s Flight No. 19 carried 83 veterans to the nation’s capital April 27.

Ben Clay, of Fort Wayne, was not among those honored. Instead, Clay helped to honor 50 World War II veterans and 33 who returned from the Korean War. Clay made his ninth trip as an Honor Flight volunteer. He still regrets that he could not wear the uniform.

“I tried to get in the Marines right out of high school and got rejected because of medical problems,” Clay said. “I have a son and a grandson, both in the Marines. I respect these veterans. They went through an awful lot. I can’t imagine kids today, 17 and 18, going off to fight like they did. They came back and never mentioned a word.”

Like others who have not been to war, Clay’s impressions come in part from documentary films. The veterans help him to match faces and names with those impressions.

Some veterans will talk about the war.

Some will not. “They keep pretty quiet,” See MEMORIALS page 21

KPC NEWS PHOTO

Veterans with Northeast Indiana Honor Flight 19 gather for a group photo at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. A total of 83 veterans, accompanied by their guardians, took part in the April 27 visit to the nation’s capital.

We salute the heroes

past and present

who have made great sacrifice to protect our families, our country and our freedom.

We are proud supporters of the Honor Flight Network.

Please help us support our local vets by dropping off notes of gratitude and encouragement at your REMC office.

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2016 Memorial Day

Paul Gerke

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Paul A. Lusenhop

A P.O.W. in Korea. He was one of Post 243’s most popular members.

Served in the South Pacific during WW2. This is a 1955 photo. His son, Alan, is a Post 243 member.

Phil Patrick Vietnam veteran

Phyllis DeLong U.S. Army

Also the most decorated soldier from Noble County. Post 243 is proud to have known him. Rest in peace Phil.

She served 14 years in the U.S. Army. She was Post 243’s adjutant for many years.

Richard L. Smith

Rick Shearer Corporal, U.S. Marines

Is missed by all his friends at Post 243. We lost him last year.

I’m proud of you, son. - Love, Mom Semper Fi

May 28, 2016

Paul Stienbarger

Killed in Africa, April 25, 1943.

A Ligonier boy who gave it all.

Post 243 has not forgotten.

Raymond Ray Ostrander

U.S. Army. Was KIA March 16, 1945 in the Philippines, Post 243 will repeat: Freedom is not free.

Robert Dennis Burke

Killed on Guadal Canal, Oct. 14, 1942.

A Ligonier boy who gave it all.

Post 243 has not forgotten.

Pete Martinez

Was KIA in Vietnam, July 21, 1966.

His sister is a Post 243 member.

20-year-old Pete gave all because freedom is not free.

Richard W. Becker, Jr.

In uniform is standing beside Timothy Ray Branam, who also served in the U.S. Army. Their family and Post 243 are proud of them.

Robert Replogle

Served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as an X-ray tech from 1942 ‘til 1945. Post 243.

©KPC Media Group Inc. • kpcnews.com

May 28, 2016

MEMORIAL From page 17

Clay said. “You don’t want to pry. If they want to talk, they’ll talk. And some get pretty emotional.

“I knew one that was a survivor of the (U.S.S.) Indianapolis,” he said, referring to the July 1945 torpedo attack that claimed 879 lives. “He was married seven or eight years before his wife found out that he was a survivor of the Indianapolis. They just came home and went back to work, and that was it.”

The memorials and honors are long overdue, Clay said. “They made the country safe and they didn’t get any credit,” he said. “They just went back to their farms, went back to their businesses, like nothing happened.”

Some shared their stories Wednesday.

Like the 83 veterans, no two were alike.

Bob Bish Bob Bish, of Ligonier, was 10 hours into Honor Flight 19 when he toured the Air Force Memorial that overlooks the Pentagon.

It was a good trip, said Bish, a veteran of the Navy during the Korean War. “Part of it I did expect to see, but a lot of it I didn’t

Dr. Robert Stone Dr. Robert Stone, of Ligonier, was prepared to see a different Washington, D.C., on April 27.

Stone served in the Navy during the Korean War, from 1951-53.

“I’m hoping and expecting to see a lot of Washington I saw 60-some years ago when I was at Norfolk (Naval Base),” he said.

“They didn’t have all these memorials or everything else back then. I’m very pleased to be able to do this.”

Stone had applied for a seat aboard an Honor Flight two years ago. First prefer-

KPC NEWS PHOTO

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole talks with Allen County veteran Rob Rowlett and Rowlett’s guardian, Allen County Superior Court Judge Fran Gull. Dole was a major supporter of the National World War II Memorial, which Northeast Indiana Honor Flight visited April 27.

ence, though, continues to go to World War II veterans. Stone’s daughter, Roberta Stone, of Rome City, accompanied him as his guardian.

Those new memorials include the Koran War Veterans Memorial, a good walk away from the Lincoln Memorial. The newer

memorial, dedicated in 1995, features 19 stainless steel statues depicting an American patrol during the Korean War. The memorial is just a path away from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

See MEMORIALS page 23

FREMONT AMERICAN LEGION POST 257 "In Memory of those we've lost" Veterans still serving our city, state and nation

the brave American soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

Their courage, commitment and seflessness will always be remembered with gratitude. We will never forget that freedom is not free.

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expect to see, and wow, it just blows your mind,” he said.

Bish served aboard the aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Valley Forge. “We got close enough to shore to do some shore bombardment with the ship’s 5-inch guns, then they backed off and we served the air support quite a bit,” he said.

Back in Ligonier after the war, he worked as a truck driver.

During his Honor Flight visit to the capital, he said he was amazed to see the memorials and other sights that are taken for granted.

He said the Korean War was like others in one sense. “It would be better if it hadn’t happened. It was something that too many people died for nothing,” he said.

We honor the memories of

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2016 Memorial Day

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VETERAN? OR RELATIVE OF A VETERAN? PLEASE COME & ENJOY OUR LEGION AND INQUIRE ABOUT A MEMBERSHIP. WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU! Wednesday Nights – Treasure Hunt Drawing Thursday Nights – Corn Hole Tournaments Friday Nights – Fish Fry (Fish, Shrimp) (Frog Legs 2nd Friday each month) Watch for our Legion Rider’s Ribeye Steak Dinner Cookouts includes salad, potato, dessert - $12

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2016 Memorial Day

Robert Shearer Corporal, U.S. Marines - 1954-57 Thank you for serving your country.

Love, Your Family. Semper Fi

Roy Rex

Served in WW1 and was one of the founders of Post 243 and past commander several times.

Thomas Michael Oliver I

Thank you, Dad, for serving your country and keeping us safe.

You are our hero!

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Robert C. Tobey 1st LT. Army/A.F.

Dad piloted B-17’s (Flying Fortress) WWII (Italy) 1942-1945. He was 21 years old. He resides in Monticello, IN

Russell W. Badman U.S.A.F

He was a devoted and selfless consecration to the service.

Love, Pauline and family.

Arthur Vern Kistler

served in the U.S. Army in WW2.

He was a postmaster and Post 243 member.

May 28, 2016

Robert W. Schermerhorn S/Sgt. 28th/Infantry Div., Army Robert was killed Aug. 30, 1944, in Brest, France; age 21. Son of John and Edna Schermerhorn, Wawaka. The Rome City American Legion post was named in his memory.

Love your nieces and nephews, Roger, Dave, Judy, Larry and Jeannie

Sanford Hooley

Served in the Army in 1958. Another veteran Post 243 is proud to know.

Warren “Rex” Rectenwall 1st Lt., U.S. Army WWII, Pat Hollman and Jerry Markle

A/2C Roger C. Myers USAF Rotary Wing Mechanics Inst.

Gary Air Force Base, San Marcos, Texas, Peace and Love

Dutch, Lewis, Glennie, Junior and Adrian Sprague

These are the five Spague brothers who all were in the Army during WW2.

Junior (Frank) was a past post commander of Post 243. We miss them all and keep their memories alive.

Wayne Michael

Thank you, Wayne Michael, for serving your country in Korea in 1952 and thank God for bringing you home safely.

©KPC Media Group Inc. • kpcnews.com

May 28, 2016

MEMORIAL From page 17

After his tour, Stone returned to Ligonier. “They knew me better as ‘Doc.’ I’ve been the county doctor up there for 55 years,” he said. He retired three years ago.

He returned from Korea with a new perspective. “I was a lot more mature. I had seen a lot of the world, and I had quite a bit of insight of what’s happening elsewhere instead of a little, bitty area in Indiana,” he said.

He served as a signalman in the Quartermaster Corps.

He shared one lesson from the war: “That people need to be able to get along without using guns. That was a politician’s war. Nobody won, everybody lost.

“The one good thing that came out of this whole mess as far as I personally was concerned was that they still had the G.I. Bill, and I was able to go through medical school because of it and not come out with a huge debt,” he said.

Roberta Stone said her father set a good example for her, by leading and serving others in the Navy and then as a doctor.

Walt Scare Walt Scare, formerly of Avilla, served in Korea before returning to Noble County, where he retired as a truck mechanic in 1992 after 40 hours.

Scare, now of Fort Wayne, joined 82 other veterans on Northeast Indiana Honor Flight’s 19th trip to the nation’s capital on April 27. His son, Don Scare, of Chicago, accompanied him.

The elder Scare served in the Army in Korea in 1951-52. “I was in the Signal Corps, which was providing communications up to the front lines and also reconstructing what was damaged behind the lines,” he said. “I had to be up on the front lines making sure they had communications in their bunkers and their foxholes and so forth.”

He said he and his wife, Wanda, continue volunteering when they can. “My

wife and I did things like Meals on Wheels and worked for the senior centers in our county, which was known as Noble County Retired Senior Group,” he said. “And I took a course in doing taxes for the senior people, so we did that in the spring.”

He said the April 27 trip was his first to the Korean War Memorial. “An opportunity came about and the Honor Flight provided this transportation and made arrangements, and I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to come,” he said.

Jybo “Bill” Leburg Jybo “Bill” Leburg, of Fowler, was away from home but in familiar company as he traveled from Fort Wayne. His son, Fort Wayne pharmacist Dave Leburg, served as his guardian aboard the Honor Flight.

The day had special significance to the elder Leburg. “My brother was killed 71 years ago today,” he said.

His audience was former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, of Kansas.

Dole shared that he had been wounded — for the second time — just days before Leburg’s brother was killed.

The one-time presidential nominee visited the World War II Memorial to welcome the Honor Flight. The group’s leaders said it is typical of Dole, who was the driving force in funding the memorial.

Dole continues to push for another memorial to World War II general and former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

“Words cannot express,” Leburg said of his audience with Dole. “He went through ‘H’ in World War II and served his country.”

Jim Leburg fought and died with the 1st Infantry, “the Big Red One,” in Europe.

“When he went to the service on the train in Fowler, that was the last — he never got a leave or anything,” Leburg said.

“He left in ’42. He was buried over there in Belgium. Mom and Dad had the opportunity either to go over to his grave or bring him home, and they chose to bring him home.

Eugene Esposito Eugene Esposito did not make the flight

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2016 Memorial Day

from Fort Wayne but was represented nonetheless.

Esposito, who served with the U.S. Army in Korea, died in October at age 85.

HFNEI board member Tom Meyers, of Roanoke, carried a U.S. flag and a summary of Esposito’s service to the capital. He placed both above the “INDIANA” chiseled into the stone of the National World War II Memorial.

Meyers carried a handful of flag sticks that would be placed in the soil of the monuments and returned to Fort Wayne.

“We’ll take a flag of any one of the deceased vets who didn’t get to make the trip,” Meyers said.

“We bring them to D.C. His being a Korean vet, I’m going to take it to the Korean Memorial after lunch, and he’ll be traveling with us all day,” Meyers said of Esposito’s flag stick.

Upon return to Fort Wayne International Airport, Meyers would present a flag to Esposito’s daughter, Karen Cappadona, of Fort Wayne.

Since its first flight in 2009, Honor Flight Northeast Indiana has carried almost 1,300 World War II veterans to Washington.

Flight No. 20 departed from Fort Wayne on May 25. For details, visit hfnei.org.

Honoring our Heroes.

23

KPC NEWS PHOTO

Jack Garrett of Kendallville joins the Legion Riders in an honor guard for veterans boarding Honor Flight 19 in Fort Wayne. Garrett, who served 22 years in the Marines, is the chaplain of the veterans group.

24

2016 Memorial Day

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HONORING THE BRAVE

May 28, 2016

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