Honoring and Remembering the
BRAVE VETERANS
Who Fought... To Give Us A Safe And Peaceful Place To Live. VETERAN’S DAY 2017
Photo by Gaylen Blosser
PAGE 2 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 12, 2017
VFW Post 7262
219 North Ohio Street, Greenville, Ohio, 937-548-4004
VFW Boosters • Men’s Auxiliary • Women’s Auxiliary • VFW of Ohio Charities
John (Jack) Campbell US Army
Dwight Emmons US Navy, World War II
Tom Mowery US Army, Korea 1963-1964 Vietnam 1965-1966
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
VETERANS
NOVEMBER 12, 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017 - PAGE 3
Saluting All Wholesale Carpet Outlet Veterans
Wholesale Carpet Outlet Express
301 E. Main St., Gettysburg 937-447-4265
Portland, IN 260-766-4262
Mon-Fri 8:00-8:00/Sat 9:00-5:00 www.wholesalecarpetgettysburg.com
Earl E. Ackley
Paul Ackley US Army, Pvt.
US Army Air Corp., SSgt. 1941-1953
US Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class 1961-1966
Larry Addis
Bill Ahrens US Army Vietnam
Ray J. Allread
US Army, Pfc. Signal Corp. 1963-65 1964-1965
David Armstrong
John Ball
Ted Baltes
Mike Barga
Denny Batty
Gary Batty
Keith Batty
Al Bergman
Jerome Bey, Jr.
Roger Bey
Thomas W. Bish
Donald Booker
James Bornhorst
Richard Broerman
US Army, Pvt. POW, WWII 1941-45
US Army WWII 1942-46 Korean War 1951-53
US Navy Vietnam
Richard D. Ackley
US Army Vietnam
US Navy Vietnam
US Navy Vietnam
US Air Force, Sgt Jan. 1986-Jan. 1990
Ryan Berry
Antony Bey
David Bey
Doug Black
Gaylen Blosser
Fred Bohman
Orville Bohman
James Bergman
US Army, SSG E-6 Vietnam 1965-1967
US Army, E-5 Vietnam 1968-1970
US Navy Active
US Army Vietnam
US Navy Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Navy Vietnam
US Navy Vietnam
US Army Corps of Engineers, Sgt. WWII, Pacific Front 1941-45
US Army Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Navy Vietnam
US Marine Corp Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Navy, SK2 1965-1969
US Army Vietnam
VETERANS
PAGE 4 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 12, 2017
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
Leslie L. Bubeck
Mike Brown
Nelson Brown
Arthur Bruening
Ron E. Bruner US Army, USP4 1964-1966
US Army, Pfc. (E-3) Armored Division Cuban Crisis 1961 - 1963 Army Reserves - 1968
US Navy, 2nd Class Machinist 1943-1945
John Byron Davis
Jesse Camacho
Richard Christian
Robert Christian
Larry Joe Coffield
Richard Coffield
James Condon
Denny Copeland
Harry Cotterman
Jack Eugene Crawford
Angela Crisp
Gary Davidson US Army Vietnam 1967-69
US Marine Corp Vietnam
Keith Davis
Sammy L. Davis
Frank Dawson
Donald Delaplane
Carl DeMange
Paul R. DeMange
Harry Dean Derr
Richard Detrick
Dale Dickmann
Don Dietrich
Richard Didier
US Air Force Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Army Korea Nov. 1951-Aug. 1953
US Army Vietnam
US Marine Corp Vietnam
US Army, Spec-4 1966-1968
US Army 1982-1987
US Army WWII
US Navy WWII
US Navy Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Navy Vietnam
US Navy Vietnam
US Air Force Vietnam
US Army Medal of Honor
US Navy Vietnam
US Air Force Vietnam
US Navy, Seaman 1955-1959
US Marine Corp., Cpl. Vietnam 1966-1968
US Army 1969-1971
US Army Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
VETERANS
NOVEMBER 12, 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017 - PAGE 5
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
Ed Dudek
John Dudek
Stanley Dudek
Wally Dudek
C.M. Pete Ecabert
Eugene Epperly
Harry Foutz
Bernard Frantz, Jr. US Air Force Vietnam
US Air Force Vietnam
Anthony Gehret
Urban Gehret
Dale George
Gene Gigli
Carl L. Goubeaux
Ralph D. Goubeaux
US Air Force
US Army, Captain WWII
US Army Vietnam
US Army
US Navy
US Army Vietnam
in Furth, Germany
US Paratrooper Korean War
US Navy
US Navy WWII
US Army Vietnam
National Guard Korean War
US Army
Gary Dues
Don S. Dull
Gordon Eberst
US Army Vietnam
US Army Old Guard, 3rd Infantry 1953-55
Army Air Corps, Msgt. 1942
Ron Fritz
Harry Fullerton, Jr.
Norman Fullerton
Ed Gerlach
Robert Gerling
Jerome Gigandet
Richard Gigandet
Lowell P. Goubeaux
Norman J. Goubeaux
Alex Grant
John S. Greendyke
US Navy Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Navy WWII
US Army, Cpl WWII 1943-1945
US Marine Corp Vietnam
US Army Active 3 years
US Army
US Army 1957-63
US Marine Corp, Cpl Vietnam 1966-1969
VETERANS
PAGE 6 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 12, 2017
" "
!
Gerald B. Greendyke
Charles Greer
Chester Greer
Everett Greer US Army WWII
US Army, Pvt. 1st Class 1949-1952
Gerald J. Greer
Robert Greer
Sam Greer
Jack Greer
Kenny Greer
Orville Grilliot
John Grillot
Marion Grillot
Ottis Grillot
Forrie Grillot
Jim Grogean, Sr. US Army
Francis Arthur Guillozet
Jerald W. Gully
Joe Hanna
Neil Hannan
Donald Hampshire
Linda Welch Hampshire
Dale Hart
Denver Harter,
US Army, 1st Lt Vietnam Killed in Action 2/3 /68 1961-1968
US Army early 1960s
US Army Vietnam
US Army WWII
US Marine Corp 1984-1986
KIA WWII
US Army, Sgt Korea 1949-1952
US Army WWII
US Air Force WWII
US Air Force 1950
US Army Jan. 1964-Dec. 1969
US Air Force, Major Chaplain 1977-1997
Elaine Harter,
Francis Heck
US Air Force, SSgt 1977-1983
US Army
US Navy WWII
US Army Vietnam
Gib Heck US Army
US Army WWII
WWII
US Navy Vietnam
James Heck US Army
US Army WWII
WWII
US Navy Vietnam Era
Richard Heck US Navy
VETERANS
NOVEMBER 12, 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017 - PAGE 7
Saluting Our Military Personnel Who Protect Us and Our Freedoms GREENVILLE BRADFORD 1-800-859-2131 • 548-2131 448-2950 515 East Main St. 110 E. Main St. 9-5 M-T-W-F & 9-Noon Thurs.
9-5 Daily • Thursday & Saturday 9-12
Since “1860” Auto • Home • Farms
www.littmanthomas.com
Roger Henry
Tom Hemmelgarn
John A. Hipshire
BK Hufford
Michael J. Hiatt
Doyle L. Hemmerich
Naomi V. (Kimmel) Hemmerich
Glenn Hemmerich US Army, Quartermaster WWII 1942-1946
US Army, Sp/4 Vietnam 1969 Active Duty 1968-1971 National Guard 1988-1995
Roy Hutchison
David King
Karl A. Kissling
Larry Kruckeberg
Lester Kueterman
Gary F. Kunk
US Army Vietnam
US Marine Corp 2001-2005 Virgil Heitkamp US Army Vietnam
US Air Force Dec. 1961-April 1966
US Marine Corp Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Army Air Corps, Sgt. WWII 1944-1946
US Navy 1962-1966
US Navy Vietnam
US Marine Corp., Pvt 1971-1974
US Navy WAVES Served during WWII 1944-1946
US Army WWII
US Marine Corp Vietnam
Conrad C. Hoelscher
Albert A. Hoelscher
Noel Hufford
Larry (Tom) Hofacker
Tom Hole
Lawrence Huelskamp
Mike Knapke
Virgil Knapke
David “Red” Kremer
Tony Kremer
Ralph Kunk
John H. Laub
Larry Laub
Larry J. Linder
US Navy
US Navy Vietnam
US Marine Corp Vietnam
WWII
US Air Force Vietnam
US Marine Corp Korean War 1955-1958
WWII
US Army Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Navy Vietnam
US Army Air Corp
US Navy WWII April 1944-May 1946
US Army Vietnam
US Army, SP4-E5 1966-1968
PAGE 8 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 12, 2017
PROUD TO HONOR ALL WHO SERVE
VETERANS
Proud to be Bolyard an American
HEATING & COOLING INC.
141 N. Broadway 548-1175 Greenville www.hamiltonautosalesllc.com
1480 Sweitzer St., Greenville, Ohio
548-6772
Andrew M. MacKenzie
Bob Magoteaux US Navy Vietnam
US Air Force, SSgt Active 6 years
Brian Magoto
Carl Magoto
Michael Magoto
Norbert John Magoto
Robert H. Magoto
Roger Magoto
Williard Magoto
Todd Magoto
Basil Mangen
Ray Mangen
Dale M. Marker
Bill Marshal
Lowell Marshal
Wayne Marshall
Mike McClurg
Phil McClurg
Norbert McEldowney
Ronald Mescher
John Thomas Mendenhall
Ranger, Captain Company Commander Afghanistan Apache Pilot
US Army Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
Damon M. Miller US Marine Corp
US Army Korea
US Air Force Vietnam
David Miller US Army Vietnam
US Navy Persian Gulf
US Army Vietnam
Shontee Milligan US Air Force
US Army WWI
US Army Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
Benjamin Monnin US Navy 1998-2012
US Navy Vietnam
WWII
US Army Vietnam
Donald Monnin US Army Vietnam
US Army Korea
US Army 3rd Inf. Div. WWII 1943-1945
US Army Vietnam
Glenn Monnin US Army Vietnam Era
US Navy WWI
US Army Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
Stephen Monnin US Air Force Vietnam
VETERANS Ohio Owner/Realtor®
NOVEMBER 12, 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017 - PAGE 9
FIRST CHOICE REALTY
Tom Mumaw
Toll Free (866) 903-5464 Cell (937) 623-9959
The Right Choice
Gene F. Morrison
1400 Wagner Avenue, Greenville, OH 45331
Indiana Broker/Owner
DOUG HARMAN
dougharman@earthlink.net dougharmanrealtor.com www.cbfirstchoice.com
Eric Martino
Brittany Mustard
Jeff Mustard
Christina (Eberst) Nehring
US Army Vietnam
US Army National Guard Iraq
US Army National Guard Iraq
US Army National Guard Iraq
James Nerderman
Walter Nieport
Wilbur Alva Nixon
Tom Parin
Anthony Paulus
Norbert Paulus
Bob Pearrell
James P. Pearrell, Sr.
Larry W. Pearrell
Estel H. Pence US Army 1942
US Air Force, Sgt. E-4 Guam 1948-1988
Thomas L. Pence
Roger Peltier
Bill Pepiot
Tom Pepiot
James Kearney Pequignot
US Marine Corp Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Army WWII
US Navy Korean War Feb. 1952-Dec. 1955
US Army Vietnam
US Navy Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
Army Air Corp 1942-1944
US Army WWII
US Army Korea
US Navy Vietnam
US Navy Commander 1957-89
US Army Vietnam
US Air Force
US Navy Vietnam
US Air Force, TSgt. Oct. 1986-Oct. 2006 (retired)
Paul Nehring
US Air Force, MSgt. June 1985-Aug. 2005 (retired)
Charles ‘Chub’ Paulus
Gary Paulus
Jeffery Pence
Kenneth L. Pence
Nancy Taylor Pequignot
Charles Petitjean
US Army WWII
US Navy Vietnam Era
US Army
US Navy, MM3 Korean War Sept. 1948-April 1953
US Army Vietnam
VETERANS
PAGE 10 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 12, 2017
For their service and their sacrifice, we salute American’s brave veterans.
“Service before and after the sale”
1400 Wagner Avenue, Greenville, OH 45331
The Right Choice
mlongfellow@earthlink.net www.cbfirstchoice.com
MOLLY LONGFELLOW, Broker
Thank you for your dedication to this great country and our values as a nation. Your courage and conviction make us proud to be Americans. Hours: M-F 8:30am-6:00pm; 937.526.3337 42 West Main St. Versailles, OH Sat. 9:00am-1:00pm
FIRST CHOICE REALTY
Bus. (937) 548-5464 Cell (937) 459-8607 Fax (937) 548-0103
Denis Petitjean
James Pleiman
Dennis Plessinger
Clarence Poeppelman
Rita Poeppelman
Daniel A. Pond, Jr.
Larry Prenger
Gene M. Rhoades
Donald Rhoades
Richard Rhoades
Royce Rhoades
Dominic Richard
John W. Richard
Robert Rinderle
Donald Rismiller
Larry Roll
Francis Rose
Hayden Rousch
Duard G. Runner
Norman Schlechty
Ted Schmitmeyer
David Schultz
Timothy Schultz
Jim Short
Herbert L. Sease
Mick Seiber
Jack Seiber
Wallace Seiber
US Navy Vietnam
US Army Purple Heart WWII
US Marine Corp. WWII
US Navy Vietnam
US Air Force Vietnam
US Army, Sgt. Korea 1952-1954
US Army
US Air Force Vietnam
US Air Force Vietnam
US Army, Cpl. Philippine Islands 1951-1953
US Army Korean War
US Navy Vietnam
Merchant Marines
US Army, Cpl. France, Germany 1951-1953
US Navy 1974-75
US Army, Sgt. Feb. 1942-Jan. 1946
Nurse WWII
US Marine Corp Active
US Air Force WWII
US Air Force Vietnam
US Navy Vietnam
US Marine Corp Vietnam
US Air Force Korea
US Navy WWII South Pacific 1943-45
US Army Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Navy South Pacific WWII
VETERANS
NOVEMBER 12, 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017 - PAGE 11
Always A Welcome Stop for
GOOD CHICKEN!
1226 SWEITZER 548-1803 GREENVILLE
Josh Sizelove
A SALUTE TO OUR VETERANS
LYLE BIXLER REALTY 692-5139 19 W. George Street, Arcanum website: lylebixlerrealty.net
US Navy, PO1 (AW) Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom Aug. 2007-March 2015
Dean Shinaver
Wilbur Warren Shotz
Dan Simon
John F. Simons
J. Robert Slonaker
Jacob Sobieraj
Lonas (Von) Spitzer
Ron Keith Spitzer
Lewis Stahl
Dave Stonebraker
Stanley Stover
Dan Streib
James Streib
William Strobel
Daniel M. Subler
Frank Szymanski
Louis Tomich US Navy
US Marine Corp.
Al Tookolo
Jack Turpen
Jerry Voisinet
Tim Wagner
Duane Ward
Daniel R. Warvel
Shane Daniel Weaver
James “Jim” Wills
Gerald Wilker
Roger Jerome Winner
US Army Began serving at 14-years-old Served 4 years in the 40s
US Marine Corp. Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Army, Scout Iraq War 2005-2006
Korean War 1957
US Air Force Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Army WWII 1943-1945
US Army Vietnam
US Air Force, MSgt. 1970-1990
US Army, Pvt. WWI Wounded in Action 1917-1919
US Army Vietnam
US Navy Vietnam
US Army Iraqi Freedom
US Army Korea 1950-52
US Army Vietnam
US Army Air Force, Private
US Navy, SK 2/C South Pacific 1944-Jan. 31, 1946
US Navy Vietnam
US Marine Corp Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Navy
US Army Vietnam
US Army Vietnam
US Marine Corp Vietnam
VETERANS
PAGE 12 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 12, 2017 Brenda Maitlen Jennifer Fleagle
9297 McGreevey Road Versailles, OH 45380-0334
112 E. Washington New Madison
www.pohltransportation.com
937-996-1581
Kenneth Wion
Thomas H. Whitton, Jr.
Samuel Yagel
Richard A. York
John Junior Boyd US Navy WWII 1943-1947
US Navy Seaman 1st Class WWII 1944-1946
Robert W. Boyd, Sr.
George D. Boyd
James L. Boyd
Charles W. Boyd
Billy G. Reigle
Russell (Pete) L. Mendenhall
Charles Franklin Mendenhall
Robert W. Boyd, Jr.
US Navy 1951-1954
US Navy Vietnam Era 1967-1971
Russell Lee Mendenhall
US Navy, Vietnam Era 1966-1969
James Cash
US Air Force Vietnam
US Navy Korea 1951-1954
US Marine Corp, Cpl. WWII 1942-1946
US Navy Korea 1952-1954
US Army, Cpl Korea 1953-55
US Army Air Corp. WWII 1945-1946
US Army Vietnam Keep together
US Army 1943-1946
James Lee Boyd, Jr.
Gary Wayne Boyd US Army 1976-1979
US Army, Sgt. 1st Class Persian Gulf War 1982-1997
US Army, Specialist E-4 1977-1980
Ricky L. Boyd
James Elwood Warner
Jack J. Warner
Rainee G. Reigle
Steven Daryl Bohn
Theodore Ralph Retz
Rick Usserman
Thomas J. Hess
Fred Shively
US Army 1976-1979
US Army Vietnam Era 1971-1973
US Army Vietnam Era 1972-1973
Jerry Dean Boyd
US Army WWII
US Air Force 1986
US Navy, Gunner’s Mate WWII 1943-1946
US Army, Sgt Vietnam 1968-69
US Army Korea 1950-1952
Army Korean War
US Navy Korea 1951-1954
US Navy
GRANDFATHER’S UNIFORM
NOVEMBER 12, 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017 - PAGE 13
Elva Saylor & Sons This is 2 1/2 –year-old Alexandre Tomayko wearing his great grandfather’s uniform. Alexandre gives a salute and thank you to great grandpa Gordon Eberst.
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
Mrs. Elva Saylor (upper center) has ďŹ ve sons who have done and are doing a magniďŹ cent job on the ďŹ ghting 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.â€? 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 PaciďŹ c. 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 ďŹ ve 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.
Honoring All Who Served
Thank you for your service
3078 Washington Rd, Rossburg, OH 1039 Zumbrum Rd. Union City, OH
Richmond Builders Supply St. Henry Tile Company Minister Supply Grand Lake Builders Supply Pennville Sand & Gravel Berne Ready Mix 5410 St. Rt. 49 ď‚Ž 548-1101 ď‚Ž Greenville
PAGE 14 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 12, 2017
Everyone at Dave Knapp Ford would like to say
THANK YOU
To All of Our Veterans
500 Wagner Ave., Greenville www.daveknappford.com
547-3000
Outgoing Unit Commander Cadet LCDR Tani Mancillas salutes incoming Cadet LCDR Dalton Ratcliff during Monday’s Pass-In-Review ceremony at Greenville High School. See photos at facebook.com/bluebagnews (Clinton Randall photo)
Cadets recognized at GHS NJROTC Pass-In-Review BY CLINTON RANDALL STAFF WRITER crandall@earlybirdpaper.com
GREENVILLE – The Greenville High School NJROTC program held their annual Pass-In-Review ceremony Monday. During the ceremony a number of cadets were recognized in various categories including physical fitness, participation, organization, grades and more. As in year’s past, the cadet chain of command was also handed off from outgoing Company Commander – Cadet LCDR Tani Mancillas to Cadet LCDR Dalton Ratcliff. C/Chief Petty Officer Layne Ratcliff was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant and appointed to the position of Executive Officer. In addition to the change in command, many cadets were recognized for their performance, efforts and classroom grades during Monday’s ceremony.
The cadets were reviewed throughout the day by Area Three Manager Commander Joe Hankins. Last year the Greenville unit was selected by Hankins as the most improved unit in Area Three. “The NJROTC is not a recruitment tool, its focus is to help produce better people and even community leaders,” said Hankins. There are currently 92 cadets in the GHS NJROTC unit. They are instructed by Senior Naval Science Instructor, Captain Scott Eberwine and Naval Science Instructor, GMC(SW) Stephen Eldred. “Congratulations on a job well done,” Eldred added. See complete list of cadets awarded and recognized at bluebagmedia.com Learn more about Greenville’s NJROTC program at www. greenvillenjrotc.com
NOVEMBER 12, 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017 - PAGE 15
Hurd escorts a president and cooks for troops LINDA MOODY CORRESPONDENT lmoody@earlybirdpaper.com
GREENVILLE – Ralph Hurd Sr. was inducted into the U.S. Army on July 18, 1960. Working at Westinghouse in Union City, Ind., at the time, he said he was drafted, but was stateside the whole time. He experienced quite a number of opportunities during his military stint. Twenty-two years of age at the time, he took part in President John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural parade, and was stationed in Washington DC for 20-plus months as a cook with the 1st Battle Group, 3rd Infantry; the unit at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Hurd said he underwent basic training and AIT at Fort Knox, Ky., and was sent to Fort Myers in Arlington, Va., where he did military funerals. Hurd said he got close enough to the 35th U.S. President but never got to meet him at the famous parade. The event took place on Jan. 20, 1961, with his unit being one of the Presidential military escorts that day. “We wore officers’ uniforms,” said Hurd, who was a private at the time. “Everybody wore white gloves.” “They didn’t want you to move unless on command,” he added. “I was in Charlie Company, one step below the honor guard company, which took care of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which did the high military funerals.” Hurd subsequently became one of the cooks in the unit. “I learned how from my mother,” he said. “There were nine of us and she made sure all of us knew how to cook.” “I won the Best Mess Award for the district for two years, and we received a plaque for the mess hall. There were six of us; three on each shift. The other five had been to school.” “One time I was in the mess hall at 3 a.m. when a chief warrant officer was beating on the back door at the same time. He wanted to inspect the mess hall and see how the troops were fed.” He continued, “What I did when the guys came into the mess hall 30
feet away, I called each one out and had each guy pick out what they wanted,” he said. “I knew what each one of them wanted and he (the officer) was really impressed by that.” Hurd also said that when he first went into kitchen work, the mess sergeant cut every piece of meat that went through there. One day, I had a quarter of beef on the table and told him to move over that I’m cutting meat today. I carved meat right along with him. ‘Where did you learn that,’ he asked and I told him ‘At home on the farm.’ After that, I cut most of the meat on my shift. We were on 24 hours, off 24 hours.” After his discharge from the military in July 1962, he began doing hog roasts, helping Jack Oswalt and Tom Hope Sr. “I designed and built a new cooker,” Hurd said. “We roasted hogs for weddings, parties, even for the Goldwing Motorcycle Club on the national level. Our family even had a concession stand at the Darke County Fair for several years with roast hog, beef and corn. The last year we did it, it
Prasuhns proudly serve our country Fred and Bessie K. Prasuhn had five surviving sons that all served our country: Fred Prasuhn, US Navy and his son Larry who served in the US Air Force; Frank Prasuhn, US Army; Duane Prasuhn, US Navy; Ray Prasuhn, US Navy; Jerry Prasuhn, US Army, and his sons, Eric, US Coast Guard, and Chad, US Marines, and a son-in-law, Darwin Mangas, US Army. When they were together they would argue about which had the best food, the hardest or easiest job. They served from 1957 to 1990s in the Indian Ocean, Lebanon, Vietnam, Dessert Storm and Enduring Freedom.
Ralph Hurd Jr. holds up the yearbook for the 1962 The Old Guard. (Linda Moody photo)
rained and I didn’t do it again. I decided to get out of it.” Hurd is married to the former Ann Maddox of Columbus.
HONORING ALL
WHO SERVED
VETERAN’S DAY 2016
They have two children, Gwen and Ralph Jr., and three grandchildren, Leslie, Jarrett and Christopher Hurd.
PAGE 16 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 12, 2017
Crossing paths turns into great friendship UNION CITY – In June 1944, these two proud soldiers served this country in the US Army. Sixty-years later, while eating at McDonald’s in Union City, their paths crossed again as Donald Key commented on Glenn Wenger’s “World War II” cap. In the conversation Glenn asked Donald if he would wear a cap like his if he got one for him. A few days later Glenn showed up at McDonald’s and presented Donald with a “World War II veteran” cap, which he has proudly worn every day since. This act of kindness was the start of a close friendship. When the two veterans found out
they landed on the beaches of Normandy days apart. Since the start of this friendship, the two have shared hours of memories and have been an encouragement to each other and all who will listen in. As the years passed, the opportunity for the two to get together has become more difficult. On Saturday, Oct. 28, Glenn made a visit to Donald’s home where he was met with a salute and an embrace from his fellow soldier. These visits have proven to be the best medicine possible for two members of the “Greatest Generation”
Glenn Wenger and Donald Key share memories from World War II
Hiatt served on the frontline during Korean War Duane Hiatt, son of Ralph and Lenora (Edwards) Hiatt was born Dec. 31, 1932. He was a premature baby, so small he was wrapped in cotton and put in a shoebox to keep warm. He went to school in Palestine and worked at the
Palestine Elevator, the Palestine Exchange and farmed with his dad. He joined the Marines in 1950 and spent 14 months on the frontlines in Korea. He was an MP at the Navy Base in Norfolk, VA.
937-337-3111 • 300 S. Main St., Ansonia www.ansonialumber.com
While in Korea, Hiatt was on the front line and proudly served in all kinds of weather while carrying a riffle, ammunition, backpack, canteen, food, shovel for fox holes and bunkers and dodging bullets and hand grenades for 14 months. He saw young men killed on the battlefield around him. Only 40 soldiers in his troop came home alive. Upon his return home, Duane farmed for several persons and worked at the Chicken Barbecue
Tent at the Darke County Fair. In 1986 he had a severe heart attack and died at home in his favorite chair. After his death, President Ronald Reagan sent a certificate to the family that stated – The United States of America honors the memory of Duane Hiatt. This certificate is awarded by a grateful nation in recognition of devoted and selfless consecration to the service of our country in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Duane Hiatt is shown in the front row with Platoon 501 of the US Marine Corps in 1952.
PAGE 18 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 12, 2017
A desire to ‘see the world’ leads Army nurse to Vietnam BY SUSAN HARTLEY STAFF WRITER shartley@earlybirdpaper.com GREENVILLE – Among the thousands serving in the Vietnam War were those who took care of the medical needs of our Armed Forces. One such individual was Theresa Crandall of Greenville, who served with the Army Nurse Corp. A Cleveland native, Crandall worked for one year as a civilian nurse following graduation from nursing school in the mid-1960s, then entered the Army in 1967, at age 27. “I wanted to see the world. And I did,” she said recently. Serving in San Francisco, Calif. then San Antonio, Texas where she would meet her future husband, Dale, also serving with the Army, Crandall said she was surprised when she received orders to spend the final 10 months of her service in Vietnam. “It was right after the Tet Offensive,” Crandall said “They were in need of additional personnel.”
Theresa Crandall feeds a baby while stationed at Nha Trang Air Base during Vietnam.
With a degree as a psych nurse, Crandall went to Vietnam as an officer. Once in-country, she was stationed at a hospital at Nha Trang Air Base to work in the psych unit as well as with patients in need of medical care. “I cared for soldiers who had contracted Hepatitis, malaria and jungle rot,” she said, noting that soon after soldiers showed
Theresa Crandall served with the U.S. Army Nurse Corp during Vietnam.
signs of recuperation from these diseases, they were sent back to serve with their units. Americans in need of surgery were shipped to other U.S. bases, such as Okinawa. Crandall said the hospital at Nha Trang also cared for Vietnamese patients, including children. She also recalls a portion of the hospital being bombed the first night she was on base. During her 10 months of service, Crandall remained strengthened by her strong Catholic faith. She didn’t spend much time off base. “You didn’t know who the Viet Cong were,” she explained. “They were mixed in among the people” living near the base. “One thing I learned in boot camp, was no matter what was going on in your life, the mission was always first. The mission of the country is always first.” Although Crandall said she often saw reports about the Vietnam War on television news, or read about it, she realized after watching the recent Ken Burns Vietnam documentary that she was not fully aware why the United States got involved. “I had no clue to the politics of the war,” she said. The Burns documentary gave a history, detailing how the U.S. became involved so heavily in the war. ‘It was a domino effect,” Crandall said, in the fight against Communism.
Stationed at Nha Trang Air Base during 1968-69, Theresa Crandall served with the U.S. Army Nurse Corp. during Vietnam.
Crandall, who has given presentations to groups on her Army service, says it’s only been recently that people “have woken up” to what took place during Vietnam. “It’s more recently that people ask me about it and want to know about it.” Crandall said she “has no regrets for serving. I did what I had to do like with many other situations in life that we are called to do.” During her 10 months in Nha Trang, Crandall kept in touch with her soon-to-be husband. “Once in a while you’d get a letter. Or a phone call that would last a minute then you’d be cut off,” she said. The couple married in May following her return in April 1969. They moved to Greenville in 1979 for her husband’s job and raised their three children – Mary of New Jersey, Alicia of Missoula, Mont., and Tom of Greenville. The couple also has five grandchildren. After moving to Ohio, Crandall worked as a nurse at the Brethren Retirement Home and at Good Samaritan Hospital, as well as with the Catholic Social Services Passport program. The Crandalls are active with Greenville’s St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
NOVEMBER 12, 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017 - PAGE 19
Singer family has long-line of service August Singer and his wife, Nina, of the Rossburg area, had five sons, of which four them were in the military during World War II or thereafter. Roy Singer was in WWII and was a tank mechanic and was at D-Day – the surge to Germany. Carl Singer was in the Navy in the South Pacific. He drove a landing craft and at one time was stationed at Okinawa. Robert Singer was in the Army and arrived in Germany after D-Day. Thomas Singer was in the Korean War and was in Germany part of the time to clean up. Carl’s son, Dwain Singer, was in the Marines. He joined in 1968. He was stationed in Okinawa. Dwaine’s daughter, Colleen Singer Dilery was in the Air Force and at one time
was stationed in Okinawa. She retired after 20+ years as a Technical Sergeant on Jan. 20, 2005. Dwain’s son, Bryan Singer, was in the Air Force and retired after 20+ years from the Air Force National Guard. Colleen’s daughter, Brandi Bolin, has recently been inducted into the Air Force National Guard in Utah. August Singer’s son-in-law, Harold Middleton, was in an airplane and was shot down of the North Sea. He was the gunner and he and the pilot were the only survivors and he was picked up by the British Navy and recovered in a hospital in England. Robert Singer has a son, Kerry, who has retired from the Army and his son, Craig, is in the Army stationed in Germany.
PAGE 20 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 12, 2017
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NOVEMBER 12, 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017 - PAGE 21
Navy makes a man out of Howard LINDA MOODY CORRESPONDENT lmoody@earlybirdpaper.com
UNION CITY, Ohio – Haskel Howard, a resident of Union City, Ohio, was 16 when knew he wanted to enlist in the U.S. Navy. But, he needed his mother’s permission. An eighth-grade graduate of a one-room school in Tennessee, he subsequently moved to be with his uncle in Indiana. “Again, I tried to go and they caught me again, so a Navy recruiter told me to go out west,” Howard said. “He told me to go to Montana. I was still 16 and my uncle and I saw a Navy recruiter on the corner and I asked him if I could enlist. ‘Prove you’re 17,’ so my uncle wrote as my mother. He was a veterinary so no one questioned him.” Howard continued, “I got on the train and went to Sand Point, Idaho. The Navy was starting a camp there.” Six weeks of boot camp was spent at Sand Point. “They just
formed a new camp there and all the guys were the first company,” said Howard. “I wanted to go to sea to fight. We were then off to Astoria, Ore., where the ship was built. We sailed real quick in an aircraft carrier to the Coral Sea. My general quarters assignment was Gunmount No.7, twin 40milimeter anti-aircraft.” He was aboard the U.S.S. Anzio, which participated in more operations against the enemy than any other escort carrier. “Right away we went to Pearl Harbor,” he recalled. “It was still a mess there and it was less than a year after it was attacked. We pulled in and left right away to head for action. We participated in nine battles in the Pacific; from Gilbert Island to Japan...we were in every one of them.” Howard, who will mark his 92nd birthday on Dec. 31, said, “I was one of the lucky ones. I was lucky to never be injured. We were in the middle of it with nine different battles. I really loved the Navy; let’s put it that way.”
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
Ninety-one-year-old Haskel Howard enjoyed time spent in the U.S. Navy. He even made a career of it, after having wanting to serve his country since the age of 16. (Linda Moody photo)
After his discharge from the Navy, Howard said there was no work, so he went back to the Navy 89 days later and re-enlisted.
After he went back into the Navy in the Fleet Reserve, he managed military clubs at various locations where he was stationed, including Washington State, Michigan, Alaska and California. “I went to school to become club manager,” he said. “I enjoyed club management. It was a good job until I retired.” His other lifetime achievements included owning a restaurant in Washington and selling it after a fuel shortage and working for a hunting camp, flying in supplies to the hunters. He was also in charge of a hunting lodge he created. Howard was in the military during the Korean War and Vietnam Conflict, but did not participate in either one. Howard settled in Union City in 1970 with his foster parents, Walter and Dorothy Fudge. He met his wife, then Judy Hart, at the nursing home in Union City where she worked. Howard was asked to speak at this year’s Veterans Day Salute in Union City.
PAGE 22 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 12, 2017
German surgeon saves POW Ackley’s leg BY RYAN BERRY MANAGING EDITOR editor@earlybirdpaper.com
GREENVILLE – For 50 years, if a man needed a haircut there was one person many local residents would visit – Earl Ackley. Although Ackley grew up on a Chippewa Reservation in Mole Lake, Wis., Greenville was his home. It was where he settled after returning home from World War II and marrying Greenville native Pauline Arnett. As Ackley worked as a barber day-in and day-out, standing for hours at a time, it’s doubtful that many, if any, of his clients knew the incredible miracle they were witnessing. In 1942, Earl and his two brothers, Richard and Fritz, didn’t wait to get a draft notice, but instead chose to join the military. Prior to being shipped overseas, Earl’s infantry unit was assigned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. It was while stationed in Dayton that Ackley met his future wife.
As June 1944 approached, Ackley and his unit were shipped overseas to prepare for D-Day. After coming ashore as part of the invasion, Ackley moved eastward with his division. According to Earl’s nephew, Paul Ackley, it was shortly after the Battle of Metz in France that his uncle’s life was changed. At one point, Earl’s unit was pinned down in a meadow. German soldiers were in a farmhouse firing at the Americans. Earl, an expert with the grenade launcher, was called to the front by his lieutenant. He took the shot and his first grenade landed inside the farmhouse, which eliminated the threat and saved the guys in his unit. As the soldiers moved forward, Earl stopped for a moment. He set his gun down while he and his pack rested against a tree. A shot rang out and Earl was hit. The bullet ripped through his knee. He immediately hit the ground and tried to stay low as he crawled for cover. Before he could get to safety, an American
ERK 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.
tank was hit and the explosion sent shrapnel into Earl’s left side and in his head. Bleeding from nearly every part of his body, he continued to crawl into a ditch. It was then that he looked up and heard the click, click, click of the tank’s barrel pointing right at him. Paul recalled his uncle saying, “I thought this is it.” Instead of the sound of a gun-shot, Earl saw the hatch open. A German soldier ran over, picked him up and threw him over his shoulder. Earl was put into a German ambulance, but a mile down the road the ambulance was hit with gunfire from the French Resistance. Earl survived and was taken to a German POW Camp/make-shift hospital. Because of his Native American heritage, Earl was treated different than the way most Americans would have been treated. The Germans were curious and wanted to know more about his heritage. Paul said his uncle felt more like a celebrity. The German surgeon that worked on Ackley received his medical training in Chicago, but was called back to Germany when the war began. The surgeon was familiar with Earl’s home state and had even fished on a reservation there. After talking for a while, Earl and the surgeon learned it was the same
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Earl Ackley
reservation where Earl spent his childhood. Although Earl’s knee was pretty bad, the surgeon told him, “I’m going to save your leg.” On his own time, the doctor did the surgery. When Earl woke, the Germans were gone. The British had liberated the camp and the hospital. Paul noted that Earl always wanted to thank the German that saved his leg and the German soldiers that treated him humanely. Earl died in 2003.
Saluting All Who Have Served Our Country
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NOVEMBER 12, 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017 - PAGE 23
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”
PAGE 24 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2017-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 12, 2017
Proudly Supports Our Veterans
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937-548-9402