PAGE 2- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015
VETERANS
Honor A Loved One... Help Make A Difference with a Brick Purchase.
The Wayne HealthCare Foundation is selling bricks for our donor wall and Veteran Memorial Gardens. Your donation of $100 will help us improve the health and well-being of our local community. Larger donations are welcome for our donor wall as well, up to $1,000. Great for remembering a loved one. These lasting tributes will be around for generations to come.
WAYNE HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION VETERANS MEMORIAL BRICK ORDER FORM
Simply return this completed order form and payment to have your very own Veteran Memorial Brick made for our Veterans Memorial Garden
(Maximum 14 characters/spaces per line. Please leave a space as needed. Include Veteran’s Name and Rank, Branch of Service, and Dates Served. Cost is $100 donation per brick. No limit on the number of bricks.
Purchaser’s Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City _____________________________________________ State ___________ Zip _____________________________________________________ Phone ________________________________________________________________________ Date_________________________________________
Make checks payable to: Wayne HealthCare Foundation, 835 Sweitzer St., Greenville, OH 45331 For more information, contact Lauren Henry, Director 547-7408 or lauren.henry@waynehealthcare.org. All contributions are tax deductible. “Collaborating through philanthropy with Wayne HealthCare in order to enhance community education and wellness close to home”
VETERANS
NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 3
Area museum puts spotlight on veterans BY RYAN BERRY MANAGING EDITOR editor@earlybirdpaper.com
GERMANTOWN – The Veterans Memorial Museum in Germantown has only been open for a few years, but the number of historical military artifacts on display is mind boggling. From the most recent battles dating back to the Civil War, the museum has already far exceeded Dave Shortt’s, founder and curator, dream. Shortt, a retired Army veteran, had been collecting military artifacts long before deciding to purchase the old Masonic Lodge at 123 S. Main St., Germantown, and establishing the non-profit institution dedicated to preserving the honor and sacrifice of our Armed Forces veterans. According to Tim Moore, a volunteer with the museum, once the facility opened donations of more artifacts began to pour in. It didn’t take long for the first floor to fill up with World War II uniforms, guns, posters and more. The museum also boasts a WWII
This “Grease Gun” is one of many items on display at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Germantown.
era Jeep. Moore noted there are several items on display that were given to the museum from Darke County residents. The museum also boasts a large selection of historical pieces from the Vietnam
Era, Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. Opening soon will be a section devoted to the Civil War. The Veterans Memorial Museum is open Saturdays, noon
to 4 p.m.; Sundays, 2-4 p.m.; and Memorial Day and Independence Day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free for veterans and $1 for all others.
Honoring Their Service & Sacrifice
Thank you to all the brave men & women who have served in uniform. We thank you for your commitment to preserving freedom at home and around the world GREENVILLE 548-7284 ACE HARDWARE Mon.-Sat. 8-8 1241 Russ Rd. Sunday 10-5 Greenville
Honoring those who have made the greatest sacrifice and their families.
Closed Wednesday, November 11 to honor our Veterans and to thank you for all you have done & continue to do for us and the USA.
PAGE 4- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015
VETERANS
Veterans honored by Zechar Bailey BY CLINTON RANDALL STAFF WRITER crandall@earlybirdpaper.com
GREENVILLE - Since the United States military has been fighting the war on terror in Afghanistan, Zechar Bailey Funeral Home has offered support for our troops by shipping custom care packages overseas. On Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11), they will unveil a new monument that will be on permanent display at their Greenville funeral home location. For more than six months, General Manager Phillip Pierri worked on a design that would honor veterans that have passed away and their families. Along with Edwin F. Nickol Monuments in Versailles, Pierri has developed a design that will incorporate all five branches of the military onto a granite stone.
“I have wanted to do something to honor our vets for quite some time,” Pierri told The Early Bird. “It really hits home since my brother R.C. is in the Army.” The 48” x 48” monument will display the symbols for the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy, with the statement... “Thank You For Your Service To Our Country”. The monument will be placed near the current flag pole at the funeral home, located at 1499 N. Broadway. During a service for a veteran, the funeral home will fly the flag of that veteran’s branch and will display a granite name plate below the new monument that will display the veteran’s name, branch and dates of service. Following the funeral services, the family will be presented with the granite name plate... compliments of Zechar Bailey Funeral Home. This will be part
of the reduced veteran’s service rate the funeral home currently offers. A ceremony will take place in front of the funeral home on Nov. 11 to dedicate the monument, with local Honor Guard members in attendance prior to the annual Veteran’s Day Parade in Greenville. They
hope to do something similar in the future at the Bailey Zechar Funeral Home in Versailles, Pierri concluded. For more information about the monument or how you can send an overseas military care package, contact Phillip Pierri at 548-4141.
Proud to Provide Insurance & Financial Services to Our Veterans & Their Families
DIANE EVANS 200 Wagner Ave. Greenville
937-548-1246
VETERAN’S DAY WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11 In appreciation of your services,
HONORING ALL
WHO SERVED
VETERAN’S DAY 2015 (937) 548-0019 1240 RUSS RD., GREENVILLE, OH
VETERANS EAT FREE ALL DAY
with proper Military ID Check out Upcoming events on our Facebook Page
HONORING OUR NATIONS HEROES Edwin F. Nickol, Inc.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1900
Monuments • Markers • Mausoleums Cemetery Lettering 741 E. Main St., Versailles, Ohio 526-3711
VETERANS
NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 5
Everyone at Dave Knapp Ford would like to say
Vietnam Veteran Dan Strong visits the Vietnam Memorial at Bears Mill. It has the names of the 21 Darke Countians who served and didn’t make it back. (Bob Robinson photo)
Visitor learns about Dickey at Bears Mill memorial BY BOB ROBINSON ASSOC. EDITOR brobinson@earlybirdpaper.com
GREENVILLE – “I once said to a Green Beret I don’t feel like I did my part. He looked at me and said every MASH unit was within 10 minutes of where we were fighting… If it wasn’t for people like you I wouldn’t be here!” Dan Strong, a visitor from Northern Indiana and a Vietnam Veteran, was in “War Zone C,” but he wasn’t in combat. He served in the 45th Surgical Hospital as a generator operator. He still feels maybe he could have done more; at the same time he remembers what the Green Beret told him. Strong and his wife, Irene, had watched the “Our Ohio” video about Bears Mill, featuring Terry and Julie Clark. Terry had talked about his time in Vietnam and how he’d gotten the old dome of the Darke County Courthouse (“they were going to throw it away”) and created a Vietnam Memorial at the Mill. “We had about 25,000 people in the county at that time,” Clark said. “Fifteen hundred went… 21 never made it back.” One of them was Pfc Douglas Dickey, who gave his life on March 26, 1967, to save members of his company from a grenade. Strong had never heard of Dickey, but said he had purchased, and was reading, a book about those who had been awarded the Medal of Honor. He studied the plaque and reminded himself he was going to read about Darke County’s Medal of Honor recipient. As he read the names of the Darke County natives who didn’t return, he began to talk
about two MOH (Medal of Honor) recipients whose stories stuck with him. “Sammy Davis hated black people,” Strong said. “He didn’t care who knew. He was in the artillery, Vietnam…” His unit was overrun, Strong continued. He turned his “105” around and fired “beehive” rounds at the enemy. He wiped out swarms… then a mortar knocked him out. Fellow soldiers thought he was dead and began firing over him. One hit him and woke him up. He saw two soldiers down. One black, one white… “He didn’t see color any more. They were brothers. Years later there was a knock at his door,” Strong said. “It was the black guy thanking him for saving his life.” Strong then switched to WWII. “Alejandro Ruiz knocked out three Japanese bunkers,” he said. “He ran up, shot, then ran back for more ammo. He kept doing it until the bunkers were disabled. Later he was at the NCO academy. It was a dress reception…” A colonel saw the MOH around his neck, Strong continued. “Where did you get that?” the colonel asked. “D… d… down at th… th… the P… Px (Post Exchange),” Ruiz stuttered. The colonel looked at the instructor. “Get this guy back to his unit as a Buck Sergeant. He doesn’t have to go through this nonsense.” Strong looked back at the plaque honoring Pfc Dickey. “I’ll be reading about him soon,” he said. He acknowledged he had much reading to do. Since the Medal of Honor was created by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, 3,471 have been awarded to members of all services.
Thank You
To All of Our Veterans
Friends & Neighbors Pricing Event Going on Now!
500 Wagner Ave., Greenville www.daveknappford.com
547-3000
VETERANS
PAGE 6- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015
HONORING THE BEST AND BRAVEST WISHING ALL OF OUR VETERANS A VERY HAPPY VETERANS DAY
866-523-2673
640 Markwith St. • Greenville, OH 45331 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5:30 / Sat. 9-5 Largest Inventory of Hand Guns, Rifles, Shot Guns, Targets, Accessories,& Ammo in the Greenville Area
John Junior Boyd
Robert W. Boyd, Sr.
George D. Boyd
Charles Mendenhall
Robert W. Boyd, Jr.
Russell Lee Mendenhall
James L. Boyd, Jr.
Gary W. Boyd
Jerry Dean Boyd U.S. Army, 1st Sgt. Persian Gulf War 1982-1997
U.S. Army, Specialist E4 1977-1980
James E. Warner
Jack J. Warner
James Cash
Rainee G. Reigle
Steven D. Bohn
Rick Usserman
Ray J. Allread
U.S. Navy, WWII USS Saint Louis 1943-1947
U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Hancock 1951-1954
U.S. Navy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (T) USNR WWII USS Atlanta (CL 104) 1943-1946
U.S. Navy, Seaman 1st Class WWII USS Stanton (DE 247) 1944-1946
U.S. Navy Vietnam Era USS Inchon 1967-1971
U.S. Army Korean War 1950-1952
U.S. Navy Korean War USS Manchester 1951-1954
U.S. Navy Vietnam Era USS Intrepid 1966-1969
U.S. Navy
James L. Boyd U.S. Navy Korean War USS Manchester 1951-1954
U.S. Army 1976-1979
U.S. Army Vietnam Era 1971-1973
Charlie W. Boyd U.S. Navy Korean War USS Essex 1952-1954
U.S. Army 1976-1979
U.S. Army Vietnam Era 1972-1973
Billy G. Reigle U.S. Army Aircorp Division WWII 1945-1946
U.S. Air Force 1986
Russell (Pete) L. Mendenhall U.S. Army CO A 775th TK BN 1943-1946
Ricky L. Boyd
U.S. Army, Pfc. Joint Security Area Panmunjam, Korea 1964-1965 Signal Corp. 1963-1965
VETERANS
NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 7
Little Piece of Home
In honor of our troops who have sacrificed so much. 3,116 care packages have been sent to our troops throughout the world. We want to thank our troops for their service and our community for their support. Call the staff at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home for details on how to send your care package to our troops. 937-548-4141 or 937-526-4440
U.S. Army, Paratrooper Normandy Invasion WWII
U.S. Air Force, Sgt. Served in Turkey Jan. 1986-Jan. 1990
Ryan Berry
Gaylen Blosser
David L. Booher U.S. Army, SP/4 Vietnam 1966-1968
U.S. Army, TSgt. 101st Airborne VII Corps Europe 1940-1945
Walter H. Bromagem, Jr.
Frederick C. Brush
James F. Buchanan, Sr.
James F. Buchanan, Jr.
Kristipher R. Buchanan
Richard L. Collins, Sr.
Richard L. Collins, Jr.
Herbert A. Beireis
U.S. Marine Corp. Life Member of DAV Vietnam War 1967-1969
U.S. Air Force 1954-1962
Served in US Army Stationed in Thailand Vietnam War
U.S. Army Operation Desert Storm 1975-1992
U.S. Army, E-5 Vietnam 1968-1970
Joe E. Bredeson
U.S. Air Force, TSgt., retired 1954-1974
U.S. Air Force, SSgt. Feb. 1980-March 1990
U.S. Army Served in Iraq and was awarded the Purple Heart Nov. 2005-Sept. 2012
William C. Cook
Robert L. Crawford
Sammy L. Davis
U.S. Army, Tech 4 Medical Technician, Alaska 1946-1947
Staff Sgt. World War II Killed in France June 30, 1944
U.S. Army Medal of Honor
Marvin Bragg
Mark Bragg
U.S. Army World War II
U.S. Marine Vietnam-Persian Gulf May 1972-June 1992
Tom Butts
Robert Christian
Bob Davison
James A. Faller
U.S. Marine Corp. Dong Ha, Vietnam 1967-1971
U.S. Army Anti Aircraft Artillery Patton’s Outfit Served in Normandy 1943-45
U.S. Army 1966-1968
U.S. Army, SSG Korean War 1951-1953
VETERANS
PAGE 8- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015
Angela Crisp U.S. Army 1982-1987
Ed Dudek U.S. Air Force
Larry Crowell (left) Lee Crowell (right)
John Dudek
Stanley Dudek
Wally Dudek
Jacob Sobieraj
Louis Tomich
Mike Fisher, Sr.
Harry Foutz
Darrell Howard
David P. Giacullo
Gene Gigli
Ronald Jay Hahn
Michael J. Hiatt
Kenny Greer
Robert Greer
Sam Greer
Jack Greer
U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy Larry served from 1958-1961 Lee served during the Cuban Blockade, 1959-1962
U.S. Army, Specialist 4th Class Armored Recon Division Purple Heart Vietnam May 1969-Aug. 1970
Joe Goebel
Frank J. Graham
U.S. Army
Charles Greer U.S. Army WWII
Glenn Good U.S. Navy Sea Bee WWII 1943-1945
Chester Greer U.S. Army WWII
U.S. Navy, CM3 Oct. 1943-April 1945
Everett Greer U.S. Army WWII
U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy WWII
Joyce L. Hahn, U.S. Army, SSgt. WWII Began service in 1941
Gerald J. Greer
U.S. Army, Pvt. 1st Class 1949-1952
Always A Welcome Stop for
GOOD CHICKEN!
1326 SWEITZER 548-1803 GREENVILLE
U.S. Army
U.S. Army, SP4 Vietnam
U.S. Army, E5 Sgt. 196th Light Infantry Brigade 1965-1967
U.S. Army WWII
U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy
U.S. Army
U.S. Air Force, SSgt., retired 1952-1973
U.S. Marine Corp. 2001-2005
U.S. Army WWII
U.S. Marine Infantry Security 1984-1987
U.S. Army Served during the early 60s
VETERANS
Elaine Harter
Francis Heck
U.S. Air Force, SSgt. 1977-1983
Gib Heck
U.S. Army
Denver Harter
NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 9
U.S. Army
U.S. Army, Sgt. Korean Service Medal (with 3 Bronze Stars) Served in Korea for 1 years and 21 days 1949-1952
Doyle L. Hemmerich
U.S. Army Air Corps, Sgt. WWII, Aviation Engineer in Okinawa 1944-1946
Naomi V. (Kimmel) Hemmerich
Brent D. Jones
U.S. Navy WAVES, Telegrapher, 3rd Class Served during WWII 1944-1946
James Heck U.S. Army
Glenn Hemmerich
Richard Heck U.S. Navy
Jerry Hill
U.S. Army, Quartermaster Served in Germany and France during WWII, 19421946
U.S. Army, Pfc. 14th Armored Division Killed in Action Nov. 23, 1944 Buried at Epinal, France
Karl A. Kissling U.S. Army World War II
Larry (Tom) Hofacker
U.S. Army, Sp/4 Vietnam 1969 Active Duty 1968-1971 Army National Guard, 1988-1995
Charles L. Langenkamp U.S. Army Spec 5
Ron Kauffman
U.S. Navy 1955-1958 Served on the aircraft carrier Saratoga
U.S. Air Force, MSgt., retired 1976-1995
John H. Laub
U.S. Marine Corp. 1st Marine Division Korean War 1955-1958
Steve MaBrey
Tom Magoto Sr.
Irvin Dapore
Brian Magoto
Richard L. Polei
Paul S. Robbins, Sr.
Elmer D. Schafer
Harold H. Schafer
Herbert E. Schafer
Lawrence Schafer
Robert Schafer
Herbert L. Sease
U.S. Army 1943 – 1945
U.S. Army, Pfc. WWII Inducted April 14, 1941
Ohio Owner/Realtor®
DOUG HARMAN
U.S. Army
U.S. Army, Sgt. WWII Inducted Jan. 19, 1942
Indiana Broker/Owner
FIRST CHOICE REALTY The Right Choice
U.S. Army World War II
U.S. Army, Pfc. WWII Inducted June 8, 1944
1400 Wagner Avenue, Greenville, OH 45331
Toll Free (866) 903-5464 Cell (937) 623-9959 Fax (937) 548-0103 dougharman@earthlink.net www.cbfirstchoice.com
U.S. Navy World War II
U.S. Army, Pfc. WWII Inducted March 1943
U.S. Air Force active duty
U.S. Army, Pfc. Inducted March 13, 1943
U.S. Army, Corporal Korea 1952-1953
U.S. Army, Sgt. Feb. 1942-Jan. 1946
Proud to be Bolyard an American
HEATING & COOLING INC.
1480 Sweitzer St., Greenville, Ohio
548-6772
VETERANS
PAGE 10- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015
Ian L. Rismiller U.S. Army, Sgt. Cavalry Scout S. Korea (3 yrs) and Afghanistan. Stationed at Ft. Knox, Ky. Enlisted in 2003
Robert T. Olwine
U.S. Army, Pfc. Korean War 1951-52
Vernon D. McClain
Henry H. McEowen
Stanley W. McEowen
Harold L. McKnight
Stephanie Meyer
U.S. Army, PFC Company M. 148th Inf. Luzon, Asiatic Pacific Theatre, Philippine Liberation, Jan. 1941-Oct. 1945
Union Army, Pvt. Greenville, Aug. 5, 1862 Company G. 44th Inf. Jan.4, 1864 transferred to Company G, 8th Cavalry Mustered out May 30, 1865
U.S. Navy, Lt. Commander May 2, 1932-Dec. 31, 1957 Grandson of Henry H. McEowen
U.S. Army, Pfc. European Theatre, 5th Armored Div. Tanks “Patton’s Ghosts” The Victory Div., 19441946
Co E 6th Signal Bn Served in Bremerhaven, Germany 1985 to 1987
Donald Palme
Jerald Netzley
Amy Raffel
Matthew Raffel
Scott Riffle
U.S. Navy, CM 3/C WWII Pacific 1944-1946
U.S. Army, 1st Lt. Purple Heart Battle of the Bulge 1942-1945
U.S. Army Iraqi Freedom 5 years of service
U.S. Marine Iraqi Freedom 2x 8 years of service
U.S. Navy, E-5 USS America, CVA-66 Vietnam (72-73) 1969-1973
Daniel A. Pond, Jr.
U.S. Navy, SM3 USS UTE; USS Motobi 2 WestPac; 2 Vietnam, South China, Pearl Harbor 1963-1967
Paul Marchal
U.S. Navy, 3rd class store keeper South Pacific World War II 1943-1946
ERIK COTTRELL POST 140 of the
AMERICAN LEGION Greenville, OH
Veteran’s Day, the time to remember the sacrifice of some who gave willingly and more importantly those many who gave all selflessly for the future of America. Our freedom is non-negotiable and unconquerable. Our loyalty to each other comes to the surface with a powerful statement -
I AM AN AMERICAN.
We, as Post 140 Legionnaires, Woman’s Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion support our Veterans both past and present through various programs and local support of our community.
HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY FROM THE MEMBERS OF POST 140.
WE SALUTE YOU.
937-337-3111 • 300 S. Main St., Ansonia www.ansonialumber.com
PAGE 12- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015
VETERANS
In honor of the faithful and dedicated service of our country’s men and women in uniform, the Winery at Versailles will be releasing their new designer wine, titled “Freedom”. With the sale of each bottle, $2.00 will be donated to the very worthy non profit organization: Honor Flight. Please join the Winery at Versailles in supporting this great local organization, and give back to those who have already given so much in the name of Freedom. For more information, please visit http://honorflightdayton.org/ and http://www.wineryatversailles.com/
Harold Freitag, U.S. Army
Mike Williams, U.S. Army
Gregg Dauber, U.S. Air Force
memories
NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 13
Charles and Nellie Hopper Family History of Service Ryan Phillip Benge US Army, E-4 Specialist Infantry Gunner on Bradley’s. Operation Freedom, Baghdad, Iraq Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal 2008-2013 Roy S. Chavez US Marine Corp., E3 Lance Corporal Packing Specialist Camp Lejune, Japan, Camp Pendleton Sharp Shooting Award, Good Conduct Medal 1983-1987 Clyde D. Curtis US Army, Specialist 4th Class Counter Guerilla Warfare School Vietnam 1965-1967 Marvin Dwight Detling US Army, Pvt. 1st Class Armored School Good Conduct Medal Active Duty -
Lawrence Craig Fenstermaker US Army, Private Killed in Action in the Battle of the Bulge, Jan. 19, 1945. Buried 3 years later in Greenville Union Cemetery. Purple Heart Sean Hart US Army/ National Guard Company Commander, Greenville Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Service Award From private to Company Commander 1985-1999 Robert Eugene Hopper US Army, Tech 5 WWII Radio Operator Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardennes EAME Theater Ribbon (4 bronze stars), Lapel Button issued 1943-1945 Paul Burnell Peters US Army, Sgt. WWII Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct, Lapel Button issued,
1954-1956 Reserves 1956-1962 1942-1945
Thank you for your service
ERWIN BROS. TRUCKING
Charles, Patricia (Pottkotter), Myrna (Detling), Carol (Hart), Nellie, Onda Fae (Matthews), Robert Hopper, Ellen (Fenstemaker) (Peters).
Paul Eugene Peters US Marine Corp Good Conduct Medal Reserves – 1969-1975
Ralph Louis Pottkotter US Air Force, Airman 1st Class Air traffic controller and radar control during Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam Era Expert Rifleman, Good Conduct and highest score ever on traffic control test Serves as an officer Legion Post 470, Coldwater. He conducts flag ceremonies and military rites. 1961-1965
Larry Ray Matthews US Marine, Lance Corporal Chauffeur for the Admiral of NATO National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal Active duty - 1969-1971 Reserves until 1975 (Photo is with the Matthews Family)
Robert Eugene Matthews, Jr. US Marine, Sgt. Vietnam Dong Ha, Da Nang, Phue By, Khe Shaun, Chulie National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (3 stars), Vietnam Service Medal (with device), Combat Action Ribbon, Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, Pistol Marksmanship Badge, Good Conduct Medal Active Duty - 1966-1969 Reserves – until 1972 (Photo is with the Matthews Family)
937-548-3212 Fax: 937-548-6160 201 E. Fifth St., Greenville, OH 45331
www.staffmark.com
PAGE 14- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015
memories
Thank you for We are proud to offer you our services serving our Orme Hardware 210 S. Main Street., Arcanum country. 692-8282
James Bretz While serving in the U.S. Army from 1965-1967, James Bretz, of Union City, was able to record his recollections and duties while stationed in Soc Trang, Vietnam. The following is a portion of his memories. I arrived in Viet Nam on Dec. 1, 1965 and began work in the hangars as a mechanic. There was not enough work to keep me busy and make me feel I was doing my part, so I volunteered to become “Crew Chief.” I was soon assigned to Warrior 28, a slick helicopter. When I first took over Warrior 28 I had little hopes of keeping her in the air. You see she was very ragged looking and gave me a bad impression. The former crew chief had experienced six engine failures with her and she was down in the rice paddies six times. Bad engines were very common when I first arrived here. There are two types of helicopters being used in Viet Nam, Huey or Gun Ship and slicks. A gun ship displays various types of armament such as rockets and flex-mounted machine guns. Its purpose is to fly low-level over the Viet Cong area and destroy them so the slick helicopter can land and drop off troops. My helicopter, Warrior 28, can carry nine combat loaded troops. I have seen it carry 12 and 14 when it had to, but this is a very dangerous practice. Warrior 28 will fly almost three hours on one filling of fuel. It has a turbine engine and burns J P-4 at the rate of one gallon a minute. The engine oil it uses cost $9 a quart. Just goes to show where the taxpayer’s money goes. The crew consists of one pilot, one co-pilot, one crew chief and
one gunner. The pilots have helmets and armor plated seats with sliding panels for getting out of the aircraft. The crew chief and gunner wear helmets, flak vests and armor breast plates for protection. The slicks all have machine guns mounted on the sides so as to suppress an area that is Viet Cong infested. This system works very well. The crew chief must get up around 4 a.m. to make sure the ship is ready. His duties are to keep the ship as clean as possible at all times, constantly checking the ship for hits or cracks that come from over stressing the aircraft. He also makes sure the ship is straight at all times and brings water C-rations for the crew in the morning as you never know when you will get back. He must pull a daily inspection after the last flight of the day and sign it off in the log book. This inspection is pulled daylight or dark, rain or shine to find excessive bearing play or other defects which could make you fall out of the sky on the next day’s flight. If something is found, the ship is placed on a red x mark list. This signifies the ship non-flyable. Maintenance crews may work all night to fix the defect in order to meet the mission time the next morning. The crew chief pulls intermediate inspections due every 25 flying h0urs. When this comes due the crew chief pulls fuel filters, fuel strainers, magnetic plugs, oil filters, etc. to make sure no steel filings or foreign matter has worked its way into the intricate systems. The period inspection is due at every 100 flying hours or 4th intermediate. When this is due the ship is taken into the hangar
where maintenance crews work for about three days to correct all minor faults on the log book and also pull panels, filters, strainers, magnetic plugs, etc. The crew chief and gunner gets a little rest here. A very strict record or log book is kept on the ship at all times and the Chief must make sure that this is kept up to date. Any faults or discrepancies will be kept in the book to make sure the parts are on order and the pilots are aware of such faults so care can be taken to not use a faulty part. A good way to get chewed out by a pilot is to let him pull his preflight inspection in the morning and find something the crew chief missed the evening before or maybe something not listed in the book that should be. Sometimes when the new parts stock gets low and they don’t have necessary parts to make the ship flyable, the ship goes EDP, meaning awaiting parts which could take a month or more. This is the case with me now as my ship is in the hangar awaiting parts for the fourth day. Seems as though they don’t have any rotor blades or collective sleeves. Happy days are here again. Maybe I can get some letter writing caught up. Since I have started as crew chief about nine months ago, I have flown over 600 hours. I have carried rice, weapons, ammunition, troops, grenades, mines, clothing, kids, wounded, dead and VC prisoners and supplied Special Forces outpost. Well, I could go on and on here, but you can imagine what it’s like. I guess everyone that has ever been here is ready to go home when the time comes, but duty could be worse. I might add that no one has it made in Viet Nam and just a very few men really
object to being here, but the U.S. Soldiers work is really cut out for him. We will win eventually, but it will take a lot of hard work.
Paul Richard Sharp I submit this for my brother, Paul Richard Sharp who passed two weeks ago on Oct. 17 from a year long battle with esophageal cancer. My brother graduated from GHS in 1958 and then from the University of Dayton in 1963. He joined the USAF in 1964 and served in SEA (South East Asia) in the 1968-9. He was in Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Oh, that’s right, President Nixon said we were never in Laos!. He recalls returning from the Thailand tour in 1969 and instructed to wear civilian clothes and to use the back gates at the LA Airport so he would not be harassed by the anti-war demonstrators. My brother was an outstanding AUTODIN Ops Officer, and was augmented as a Captain in the regular USAF in 1968. In 1976 he was offered a promotion to Major, but he declined and resigned his commission. He was just homesick for Greenville and wanted a “regular” family life and a regular, local job. We swapped many stories about how the Draft Board was after us every 6 months while we were in college while some people we knew faked football knee injuries, had parents who “bought” their deferments, and other 4-F excuses. In spite of that, we both believe in Universal Military Training for every young person whether it is in the National Guard or a 4 year enlistment. Bob Sharp
memories
NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 15
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES! BRIDGESTONE GENERALS MICHELIN FIRESTONE GOODYEAR YOKOHAMA BANDAG RETREADS
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1-800-979-8473 (937) 548-4151
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Gaylen Blosser I learned very quickly as a 19-year old that I did not like walking point in Vietnam. I wasn’t comfortable at it and I believe to be good at it you must have confidence and be somewhat comfortable with the job. James (Jim) Walden from Athens, TN was one of the best point men that served with our company. Jim took his turn walking point the entire year he was in Nam, was good at it and seemed to feel safer at point than any place else. Jim looked just like a young boy and always had a smile and really enjoyed life. Jim used to tell us having grown up in the hills of Tennessee, Vietnam was just like home to him. Jim grew up in the sticks with no indoor plumbing or running water and would chuckle at us guys and say, isn’t this a great place… it’s just like home. Three excellent point men that I was very close to lost their lives walking point the year I served in Vietnam and it is still hard to accept. The first point man of the three to pay the ultimate price was Larry “Slick” Vastine from McDermott, Ohio. Larry was killed in the early morning hours of Sept. 26, 1969. Larry was from my home state of Ohio, tall good looking and younger than most in our company. Slick was a year younger than me and was planning on joining the Ohio State Highway Patrol when his military service was complete. Larry was walking point with 3rd platoon and came to a GI bridge that had been placed by US Army engineers a day earlier. The bad guys had placed a 250 lb. GI bomb (that did not detonate when dropped) under the bridge and when Larry’s foot touched the bridge everything just went up. You hear the explosion followed by dead silence and then
Gaylen Blosser and Company Commander Davis are shown with the family of Larry Vastine. Vastine lost his life while taking his turn as a point man in Vietnam.
what seems like an eternity… everything that went up starts falling back to earth. It was not a good day for Alpha Company. Several years ago through Facebook a friend of the Vastine family located me in Greenville, Ohio and connected the dots resulting in a long phone visit with one of Slick’s younger twin sisters. A time was set for me to drive to McDermott, OH and meet the family. I called my former Company Commander and told him of my meeting and he flew into Dayton International from Phoenix, AZ. We made the three hour trip from Greenville to McDermott together to meet the family. That’s just what veterans do. We spent the first several hours with Slick’s twin sisters and his elderly mother before the entire Vastine family got together to meet with us. It was very hard but also very rewarding for Davis and me and the Vastine family. We were the first contact the family had with Slick’s comrades. On December 15, 1969, Joe Wright from Picken, SC was hit by a booby trap walking point. Joe
was only four months older than me. Joe and I came into country and Alpha Company at the same time and were placed in same squad. Joe was handsome with dark hair and a Southern drawl. I loved to hear him talk. He was soft-spoken and very polite. By the time Joe was killed I was carrying the Battalion radio for our company commander. I ran up to my Tennessee friend and Doc (William) Rule, one of our excellent medics was already helping Joe. I could tell Joe was severely injured but was still alive when I got up to him. I got Joe’s blood type from his dog tags and relayed the information to the medivac chopper I had already radioed for a dust-off. When the medivac chopper arrived and we loaded Joe into the Huey, I had a terrible sick feeling in my stomach as I helped put Joe on the chopper. It wasn’t long and I received a call on my company radio and was given the word that the troop was Delta Oscar Alpha… dead on arrival. I was hurt… I was mad. I wanted to complain to someone but there was no time.
Our company quickly hit several more booby traps that day and finally were given orders to turn around and step exactly where the troop in front of you stepped. We were in the middle of a mine field. The next day we got resupplied and along with supplies came our mail from home. My job as company RTO (radio operator) was to help break down the mail and get it out to the guys in the squads on the perimeter. That day there were two Christmas packages for Joe… he had two young sons and a wife back in Pickens. A Christmas package from each son for their dad over 10,000 miles from home. I had to place the two packages back in the mail bag to send back to the states. I was sick. I will never forget December 15. Gary Edwards affectionately known as PeeWee was killed March 27, 1970 by a sniper’s bullet not too long before we were to come home. PeeWee was from Roane County, TN and got in country a short time before I did. We served together for almost a year.
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Richard Collins, Jr. (The following is a portion of speech Richard Collins, Jr. gave to the students at St. Henry Middle School) When I graduated from high school in 1974, jobs were actually quite plentiful. I started working a union factory job at $6 an hour and thought I was making a fortune. But factory jobs are an uncertain future with the constant layoffs, so I decided to enlist in the United States Army in 1975. My dad had been a sixyear Air Force veteran and spent time in England on his tours of duty; I was seeking adventure
and a secure life. I loved guns, shooting and trekking through the wilderness; the Army was going to be a good life for me. I did my basic training in Ft. Knox, Ky., this was an eyeopening experience that will test everything you have in you. I had chosen track vehicle mechanic as my specialty skill and did my training for this at Ft. Knox, as well. My first orders sent me to Neu Ulm, West Germany to serve in the 1st Infantry Division; also known as the Big Red 1. At that time, Germany was still a divided country and East Germany was a Communist country. Over 250,000 American soldiers were stationed all over West Germany to ward off another Russian
Invasion. I trained with British, French and German troops in field exercises all over Germany and Danish troops in Denmark. Most Americans link terrorism with the wars we are fighting in the Middle East today, but in the late 1970’s, terrorism already existed in Germany. The military extremist group known as the Baader Meinhof Gang was raging through Germany at this time and some American soldiers were killed just for their ID cards, which can get you access to any military installation. Guard duty was serious business during this time period. Despite all this turmoil, I loved my time in Germany and would return for two more tours
As our Armed Forces fight to protect our freedom abroad, we’re reminded of the sacrifice made by so many brave soldiers before them. On Veterans Day, we pause to recognize and thank all of the veterans who have served our country. We are eternally grateful for their dedication and service.
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of duty during my career; living in northern West Germany near Bremen and the North Sea. On Aug. 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait and President George H.W. Bush (41) declared war on Iraq. This is now known as the first Gulf War or Operation Desert Storm. I traveled with the 2nd Armored Division (Forward) Kuwait and eventually Iraq. I had attained the rank of Sergeant First Class by this time and was responsible for 14 soldiers, 18 Bradley fighting vehicles, three armored personnel carriers, three 2 1/2 ton cargo trucks, five HUMMV utility vehicles and one M88 heavy recovery vehicle (wrecker). This was a round the clock job keeping all personnel and equipment ready at all times. During one nighttime mission in the dark desert, my unit was hit by two hellfire missiles from a United States Apache helicopter, killing two soldiers and injuring six. We were hit by friendly fire; sometimes in the chaos of war, things can go terribly wrong. This event happened over 20 years ago and I live with the memory every day. War, literally, is hell. I had hoped to make the military my career, but in 1992 President Bush (41) implemented a military drawdown. The Cold War threat in Europe was easing, the Berlin Wall was gone, and Germany was no longer a divided country; the need for such a huge military presence was no longer necessary. Over 200,000 soldiers would eventually lose their jobs and I was just three years short of retirement. The military is undergoing a similar drawdown now that will eventually eliminate 80,000 troops who have served years of wartime service. It was a bitter pill to swallow after all my years of service and dedication. The average American does not really understand all the hardships and heartache a soldier faces while serving their country. Many soldiers miss the birth of their children, birthdays and holidays that many of you take for granted. In my years of military service there was no e-mail, Facebook or Skype; the United States Postal Service was your only link to home and a letter or package was more precious than gold.
memories
NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 17
Charles E. Tooley Charles Tooley was only 17 when he joined in the U.S. Navy in Oct. 1941 – just six weeks before the start of World War II in the Pacific. He said he wanted to see the world and the sea. He completed boot camp on Dec. 5, 1941 and went on leave on Saturday. Sunday, as President Franklin D. Roosevelt described it two days later, was indeed a day of infamy. Tooley was voluntarily back at boot camp for assignment that evening. He was soon on the USS Dixie, AD-14, a destroyer repair ship, headed for Pearl Harbor. He said, “I witnessed the damaged shipyard, our sunken ships, etc.” Tooley wrote his memories on lonesailor.org, “We soon sailed to another major war theatre and into a closed harbor containing hundreds of allied ships. However, three two-man enemy submarines had also slipped into the harbor. At dawn, about 5 a.m., and right before my eyes, an oil tanker ship was torpedoed. It was engulfed in thick black smoke and flames with little chance of any
Shown are the wrecks of the USS Downes and Cassin at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Both ships were eventually repaired and put back into service.
survivors. Two of our destroyers pulled anchor in the harbor and in minutes the three enemy submarines were destroyed; one of them rammed by a destroyer. That was my first introduction to actual warfare. Tooley went onto write, “I
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was soon reassigned to the destroyer USS Downes DD-375 and became senior radar man in its Combat Information Center. This ship had been bombed out in dry dock during the initial attack on Pearl Harbor, but had been totally rebuilt during the first half of the war. On this ship, we covered a lot of wartheatre areas: Guam, Saipan, Tinnian, Iwo Jima and the Philippines. I saw beach bombardments, troop landings, oil slicks from submarines we had dropped depth-charges over, planes in flames whirligiging into the ocean from dog fights too high to ever see, some of just about everything in do-or-die warfare. “Our final war assignment was to form destroyer picket lines, sailing out of Iwo Jima. When our bombing B29 planes and crews were too shot up for safe landing over the enemy mainland, they would fly back on a prescribed course, which changed daily, and, upon spotting one of our destroyers, the crews would bail out and ditch their planes in the water. We would then take those crews aboard our ship and eventually deliver them to safety,
if such a word even existed in the war. At that point, A-Bombs ended the war, meaning we would not lose a million more men by invading the enemy mainland. We sailed for home in the U.S., but with one more precarious night to go through; our destination, Norfolk, VA. “At Cape Hatteras, one night out of Norfolk, I saw the biggest waves I had ever seen. They crashed over the bridge of my ship. We lost one man overboard who had fought the whole war. All night long our skipper sloshed from wing to wing through water in our pilothouse with our searchlight on, giving orders to our helmsman. If we had ever gotten caught sideways in those waters our ship and crew were goners. We made it through, although our ship was a complete wreck. We had been through a part of the Devil’s Triangle. On the next day, at Norfolk, I was honorably discharged from my destroyer and from the U.S. Navy. In later years, in guidancesystems, systems test engineering, I helped to fly our first ICBM, our original Atlas missile.”
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Delbert and Donald Key, U.S. Third Army
The Union City crew included (back row) Doanld Key, Carrol Austin, Dale Fraze, (front row) Louie Macon, Dick Armstrong and Delbert Key. This picture was taken in Ardeens Forest.
The Red Ball Express was driven by Delbert Key (front row). He is shown with Donald Key and Dick Armstrong.
Patton’s Third Army in Normandy, France. Battles included the Battle of the Bulge. The biggest regret for Key is that he and his fellow soldiers were unable to reach the death camps sooner. He said, “As the Nazi party crumbled, people at the death camps were just butchered.” Orders were to execute 10,000 prisoners a day, but Key pointed out they were killing 100,000 people a day. By the time Key’s unit arrived, the Nazis had left. They were instructed to leave their weapons behind as they entered the camp. They did not want to frighten the prisoners. They were allowed to speak and be friendly with prisoners, but they were not allowed to give them food because of the health conditions. Key remembers seeing mounds
of dead bodies and in the barracks, the well, sick and dead were all lying side by side. Those that had survived had open sores and were suffering from malnutrition and starvation. While many of the prisoners were Jewish, the camps also held political prisoners. Key met and talked with one German prisoner who had been a professor and a German Nationalist. He had been imprisoned for making comments against the Nazi party. Key said he was only at the death camp for a half a day, but it changed the rest of his life. The experience made him a believer in the pro-life causes. “It was a terrible thing to see and witness. It’s a terrible thing to even live with,” said Key. “You wouldn’t think you’d remember something like that for 50 years, but you do.”
Donald Key Donald Key, a World War II veteran from Union City, may have been recognized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton for his participation in the liberation of the death camps in Buchenwald and Dachau, Germany, but he quickly tells everyone he is not a hero. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to be involved in the liberation of the death camps,” he once said. Key pointed out he was doing what he was told to do. Key joined the Army in December 1942, but he wasn’t alone. His unit also included Carroll Austin, Richard Armstrong, Louis Macon, William Fraze and his brother, Delbert, all of Union City. They were part of General George
PROUD TO HONOR ALL WHO SERVE
May 8, 1945 Cease Fire had been ordered and the shooting was almost stopped. “We are not shooting at anyone and no one was shooting at us. We were celebrating by listening to the peace and quiet,” wrote one of the Key brothers. This picture of Delbert (left) and Donald (right) was taken in a small clearing near Lauf, Germany just a few miles from Nuremburg and a few days after the liberation of the Buchenwald death camp.
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memories
NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 19
Heartfelt Appreciation Is Deserved By The Brave Veterans That Made Incredible Sacrifices So That We Can Live Safely In Our Homes
Scott Zumbrink, Darke County Treasurer
Herbert L. Sease Herbert went in the service Feb. 1942 and left service Jan. 1946. Herbert went to Pearl Harbor after it was bombed, also New Guinea, Guam. Their ship was taking them to Japan when the announcement came over the radio the Japanese had surrendered and there was much celebration.
Rod Saylor I arrived in Chulai, Vietnam in November 1968. The first night in country we had a rocket attack on our compound. The next morning coming out of our bunker we saw a rocket buried in the ground 10 meters away. Lucky for us, it was dud. Welcome to the war.
Von Spitzer
Von Spitzer joined the Army when he was 14 years old. He lied about his age. He was in the Army for a few months when he needed an appendectomy surgery. That’s when the Army found out he was only 14 years old. They sent him home. A few years later he joined again and served out his time.
Elva Saylor & Sons Mrs. Elva Saylor (upper center) has five sons who have done and are doing a magnificent job on the fighting fronts of the world. While her boys are gone, Mrs. Saylor is doing her part on the home front by working every day at her job. Pfc. Dale Saylor (upper left) has been in the service for three years and served in Africa and Italy with a Chemical Corps for over a year. He participated in two invasions and was returned to the states some time ago
because of injuries and “trench feet.” He is now stationed at Camp Detrick, Md. Sgt. Lacy Saylor (upper right) is an Air Corps engineer and has been in the Philippines for some time. He has been in the Air Corps for two years and overseas for a year. S 1-c Herbert Saylor (lower left) joined the Navy the night he graduated from high school last May. He is now stationed on a battleship in the southwest Pacific. Raymond Saylor (lower center) received
a medical discharge from the service recently after suffering back injuries during training. Sgt. Paul Saylor (lower right) enlisted in the army five years ago and was stationed in Iceland for 22 months. At the present time he is in the European Theater of Operations with a Communication and Radio Cannon Company. He has been in Europe for seven months. This story appeared in the The Flare-Maker
memories
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Saluting Our Military Personnel Who Protect Us and Our Freedoms
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The Roy and Agnes Matthews Family History of Service George Gibbs Dickson US Air Force, 1st Lt. WWII 440th Bomb Squadron and 319th Bomb Group Aircraft Engineering Officer 4823 – Battles and Campaigns – Air Offensive Japan, China Offensive, Ryukyus American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Japan Occupation Medal, Victory Medal, lapel button 1943-1946 George F. Lewis US Air Force, Lt. Col. WFAB - Bomber Flight Test, KC-135s, mew communication, navigation and response systems. Flew more than 100 missions over North Vietnam. Accomplished 6,500 flying hours in over 20 kinds of aircraft and retired as Deputy Director of Manpower and organizations. Awards include Distinguished Flying Cross, 11 air medals, Meritorious Service medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Vietnam Combat Medal, Vietnam Service Medal 1951-1976 Bruce Sink, U.S. Marine Corps.
Cecil Eldon Matthews US Army, SSgt. WWII 607 Field Artillery, 7th Div. Rhineland, Central Europe American Theater Ribbon, European Theater Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, WWII Victory Medal 1943-1949 Larry Ray Matthews US Marine, Lance Corporal Chauffeur for the Admiral of NATO National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal Active duty - 1969-1971 Reserves until 1975 Robert Eugene Matthews, Jr. US Marine, Sgt. Vietnam Dong Ha, Da Nang, Phue By, Khe Shaun, Chulie National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (3 stars), Vietnam Service Medal (with device), Combat Action Ribbon, Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, Pistol Marksmanship Badge, Good Conduct Medal Active Duty - 1966-1969 Reserves – until 1972
Shown are Irene (Ingle), Cecil, Agnes, Roy, Olive (Sink), Ralph, Pauline (Greer), Gertrude (Pearson), and Robert.
Lloyd Pearson US Army, Sgt. 1st Class Presidential Honor Guard Flag presentations and military funeral details Sharp Shooting Medal (M1 Rifle), Good Conduct Medal 1952-1954 Matthew Karl Ramirez US Navy, Lieutenant Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan on Aircraft Carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower (2012-2013) AS F18 Pilot 2006-present Charles W. Sink, Jr. U.S. Army, Sgt. WWII Germany 1944-1949
Chester Greer U.S. Army, Corporal, WWII, Southern France –Ardennes and Rhineland. Wounded in action on Dec. 17, 1944, Germany. Administrative NCO S02 until Jan. 12, 1946. Decorations and citations – Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon (w/3 Bronze Battle Stars), Overseas Bar, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Unit Award, lapel button. Lester Warren Matthews US Army, Tech 4 WWII 785th Petroleum Distribution Corps., Italy, Philippines Victory Medal, European Theater Ribbon (3 Bronze Stars), Asiatic Theater Ribbon, Philippines Liberator, 3 overseas bars, service bars, lapel button issued 1943-1946
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Wholesale Carpet Outlet
NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 21
Saluting All Veterans
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Vore gives challenge to help veterans BY RYAN BERRY MANAGING EDITOR editor@earlybirdpaper.com
GREENVILLE – Melissa Vore, owner of Hot Rods & Harleys in Greenville, is doing her part to help veterans who have had difficulty coping after their military service has ended. Once and sometimes twice a month, Vore will load up her SUV supplies for The Journey Home and head to Winchester, Ind. The Journey Home is a facility dedicated to helping veterans in need. Many of its residents have come face to face with a known enemy. Now that they’re home, they’ve come face to face with an enemy they cannot see. The demons they face have shattered not only their lives, but have also caused families to fall apart. Through The Journey Home, these residents are getting the help they need to battle addiction, depression and mental illness. This is help many veterans need, but probably would not get if it weren’t for organizations like this. The Journey Home is the only facility like it in an eight-county area serving Eastern Indiana and Western Ohio. “They served our country and shouldn’t have to wait for someone to bring them toilet paper,” said Vore. While the facility has received a few grants, most of what they have been able to accomplish has come from individual donations. Whether it is cash donations or supplies, the need is real. Vore fears our veterans are being overlooked. Vore has had a strong military influence in her life. Her dad, a resident of Winchester, Ind., is a veteran and her aunt, Alice
Marker, was very active in the Greenville VFW. Vore explained her mother passed away when she was young and Marker was a big part of her life. She brushed away a few tears when she said, “When she (Marker) passed away, I wanted to do something to honor her.” The next step for Vore is to raise enough funds to fully stock The Journey Home. She has issued a challenge to her Facebook friends to each give $5 and is now extending that challenge to all of Darke County. Donations, cash or supplies, can be dropped off at Hot Rods & Harleys, 1240 E. Russ Road, Greenville. In addition to cash, Vore is also accepting supplies. The Journey Home needs fruit juice, cereal, canned tuna, toilet paper, Q-tips, cotton balls, bottled water, body wash, shampoo, air freshener, laundry detergent, fabric softener, bleach, dishwasher soap, dish soap, cleaning supplies, table games, sun screen, writing paper and journals. In addition to the $5 challenge, Vore and Hot Rods & Harleys are also hosting the Journey Home – Halftime Chili Cook-Off. The event will be held Nov. 28 during the halftime of the Ohio State vs. Michigan game. The top three entries will receive gift certificates of $50, $25 and $10. All entries will receive a Hot Rods & Harleys can koozie. Patrons can cast their votes by depositing at least one quarter in the bucket next to the chili they like the best. After voting, bowls of chili can be purchased for $1 or more. All funds will be given to The Journey Home. Visit Hot Rods & Harleys to enter your chili or get more information.
The business will also be hosting another Karaoke Night for The Journey Home on Dec. 11. They will have a raffle and a 50/50 drawing. The last time
they held this event, the “karaoke guys” offered to sing any song for a $10 donation. Vore was able to give The Journey Home over $600 after that event.
Melissa Vore, owner of Hot Rods & Harleys, invites you to help her provide supplies for The Journey Home.
Greenville 800-844-0993
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Loyal Order of the Moose # 329 The Letter Jacket Lodge
1200 Sweitzer Street ~ Greenville, Ohio 45331
937-548-2662
Veteran suicide and domestic violence examined at Edison PIQUA – An unholy union of domestic violence and military combat domestic violence starts the story, and the horror of combat adds the second chapter with the third and final one resulting in unspeakable acts. The one-act play entitled Choices will be performed at noon and 7 p.m. at Edison State Community College on Nov. 10 in the Robinson Theater at the Piqua Campus. An additional performance will be held Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m., at the Mayflower Arts Center on Main Street in Troy. Admission is free to all performances. Adrian Miller, a graduate of The Ohio State University with a
degree in theatre, stars as one of the nameless 22 veterans who kill themselves each day in the U.S. Domestic violence rears its ugly head off stage as Edison faculty Debra Williamson and Thomas Martinez play a couple in a dysfunctional relationship where the woman and her son, played by Owen Swigert, are the recipients of violence. Pianist and Edison professor William Loudermilk will present selections prior to the play, including one he wrote especially for Choices entitled “Nobody Cares.” Area theatre goers know Jayson Grigsby as the actor who has played many roles skillfully
in Shakespeare’s works produced at Edison as well as more modern fare. This time he is the director, using his extensive knowledge of theatre through his hands-on experience as well as his formal education and training. Choices was written by Morganzie Green, a native of Colorado and an AT&T employee in the Minneapolis area. She holds a degree in theatre from Brigham Young University. Green indicates that it is her hope the short, one-act play “calls attention to two pressing issues in the U.S.: veteran suicide and domestic violence.” Following the performances, executive director of the Family
Winery salutes vets with newest wine VERSAILLES – In honor of the faithful and dedicated service of our country’s men and women in uniform, the Winery at Versailles will be releasing their new designer wine, titled “Freedom”. With the sale of each bottle, $2 will be donated to the very worthy non-profit organization Honor Flight. Honor Flight Dayton’s mission is to take veterans of WWII, Korean, and the Vietnam War(s) and terminally-ill veterans of any armed conflict to see their national memorials in Washington, D.C. These trips are provided at no cost to all qualified veterans, which includes airfare, bus transportation while in D.C., meals, tee-shirts, and disposable cameras. Join the Winery at Versailles in supporting this great local organization, and give back to those who have already given so
much in the name of Freedom. This is a cause near and dear to The Winery at Versailles, as the Williams family has three generations of their family having served in the United States Armed Forces. Owner Carol Williams’ father, Harold Freitag, served in the Army, owner Mike Williams served in the Army, and their grandson Gregg Dauber served in the Air Force. For more information, visit http:// honorflightdayton. org/ and http://www. wineryatversailles.com/
Abuse Shelter of Miami County, Barbara Holman; Vietnam combat veteran and Edison faculty member in communication, Carl DeSantis; and Tristan Weis, Iraq combat medic, will facilitate a discussion with the audience on the responsibilities Americans have in insuring that these issues are addressed appropriately. Choices is being funded by the Miami County Foundation, The Alliance for Employee Growth, Inc. and Edison State Community College. Only those ages 14 and older will be allowed admission to this one-act play For more information, contact Dr. Vivian Blevins at vblevins@edisonohio. edu or 778-3815.
Vietnam vets invited to annual parade GREENVILLE – Fort GreeneVille Chapter DAR invites all Vietnam era veterans to walk or ride in the annual Veterans Parade on Nov. 11. There will be a parade unit honoring Vietnam era veterans. The DAR chapter will be leading the Vietnam parade unit with the United States of America Vietnam War 50th Commemoration Banner. Vietnam veteran Terry Clark will be providing transportation in his antique fire truck to those Vietnam veterans that prefer to ride than walk. Lineup will be at the Greenville Public Library on Sycamore St. and Fifth St. Please arrive at 10:30 a.m. for lineup. The parade route will be an area of two city blocks with the ceremony in front of the Courthouse.
VETERANS
NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 23
Eley, 95, logs a few more miles in a Jeep BY RYAN BERRY MANAGING EDITOR editor@earlybirdpaper.com
GERMANTOWN – “There were plenty of bullets with my name on them. They just spelled my name wrong,” said Glenn Eley recalling his stint in the U.S. Army during World War II. It was the early 1940s and Eley was doing what so many of our young men were doing at that point in our country’s history. He was fighting for freedom on a foreign land. He served from October 1942 to February 1946. The 95-year old Arcanum resident had no problem remembering even the smallest details of his service and what he faced on the battle field. The memories seemed to rush back to his mind as he strolled through the World War II section at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Germantown. The visit was put together by Tim Moore, an Army veteran, volunteer at the museum and a graduate of Mississinawa Valley. The purpose – to give Eley an opportunity to take a ride in a Jeep similar to the one he drove in the Army. He logged over 11,000 miles in a Jeep while serving in the Army. Eley was part of the Cavalry Squadron in the 92nd Recon, 121st Armored Div. He had one of the Army’s most dangerous jobs. He served as a scout providing reconnaissance information to the Army. He was proud to say he was never injured, but had several close calls. He recalled standing up from behind the driver’s seat and not a second later having a bullet rip through the seat where he had been sitting. While looking at the Jeep he would soon be riding in, Eley pointed to one area after another where bullets had hit his Jeep. He also recalled being shot at by a sniper during the winter time and seeing the bullet streaks in front of him as he walked. At one point, he could even see the vapor of a bullet cross in front of his face. “He led me a fraction too much,” said Eley. The Jeep wasn’t the only piece of equipment he remembered. As he was standing in the museum he began to wonder if they had the gun he carried; the very popular M3 submachine gun. Only Eley didn’t remember it by its military name; he remembered it by its more common name – the Grease Gun. As you might imagine, the
Glenn Eley gets reacquainted with a Jeep similar to the one he drover during World War II. Tim Moore (left) made the ride possible. (Ryan Berry photo)
M3 had the same shape and looked very much like a Grease Gun. Eley was part of many intense battles including the Battle of the Bulge and helped liberate Concentration Camp #4. “I can’t believe what one human would do to another,” he said. When the war ended, Eley was still in Germany and from May through December he served on occupation duty. He and some of his fellow soldiers were staying upstairs in a local home when they got the word the war was over. He recalled they decided to celebrate with a big supper. They even borrowed the family’s fine China for the meal. “I wouldn’t take a bit for the experience,” said Eley and then added, “But I wouldn’t give a lead nickel to do it again.” Glenn married Helen (Goins) in February 1944 and the couple was married for 70 years before she passed away last year. Today, you can still find Eley working 15 hours a week at Orme’s Arcanum Hardware. He said he tried retirement before, but he likes having something to do.
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VETERANS
VFW Post 7262
219 North Ohio Street, Greenville, Ohio, 937-548-4004
VFW Boosters • Men’s Auxiliary • Women’s Auxiliary • VFW of Ohio Charities
Tom Mowery US Army, Korea 1963-1964 Vietnam 1965-1966
John (Jack) Campbell US Army
Dwight Emmons US Navy, World War II
Awards: Korea Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service 2 Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Civil Act Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Good Conduct Medal
Bob Klosterman US Army, Kuwait
Jacob Whittaker US Army Guard 2009-Present