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2015 Veterans Day Tab

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  • 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.

    WAYNE HEALTHCARE FOUNDATIONVETERANS MEMORIAL BRICK ORDER FORMSimply return this completed order form and payment to have your very ownVeteran Memorial Brick made for ourVeterans Memorial Garden

    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.

    (Maximum 14 characters/spaces per line. Please leave a space as needed. Include Veterans Name and Rank, Branch of Service, and Dates Served. Cost is $100 donation per brick. No limit on the number of bricks.

    Purchasers 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 [email protected]. All contributions are tax deductible.

    Collaborating through philanthropy with Wayne HealthCare in order to enhance community education and wellness close to home

  • NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 3VETERANS

    GREENVILLE ACE HARDWARE

    1241 Russ Rd.Greenville

    548-7284Mon.-Sat. 8-8Sunday 10-5

    Honoring Their Service & Sacrice

    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

    Honoring those who have made the greatest sacrice

    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.

    BY RYAN BERRYMANAGING EDITOR

    [email protected] 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 Shortts, 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-prot institution dedicated to preserving the honor and sacrice 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 didnt take long for the rst oor to ll up with World War II uniforms, guns, posters and more. The museum also boasts a WWII

    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.

    Area museum puts spotlight on veterans

    This Grease Gun is one of many items on display at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Germantown.

  • PAGE 4- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015 VETERANS

    HONORING ALLWHO SERVEDVETERANS DAY 2015

    VETERANS DAY WEDNESDAY

    NOVEMBER 11In appreciation of your services,

    (937) 548-00191240 RUSS RD., GREENVILLE, OH

    Check out Upcoming events on our Facebook Page

    VETERANS EAT FREE ALL DAY

    with proper Military ID

    HONORING OUR NATIONS HEROESEdwin F. Nickol, Inc.

    SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1900Monuments Markers Mausoleums

    Cemetery Lettering741 E. Main St., Versailles, Ohio 526-3711

    BY CLINTON RANDALLSTAFF WRITER

    [email protected] - Since the

    United States military has been ghting the war on terror in Afghanistan, Zechar Bailey Funeral Home has offered support for our troops by shipping custom care packages overseas. On Veterans 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 ve 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 ag pole at the funeral home, located at 1499 N. Broadway. During a service for a veteran, the funeral home will y the ag of that veterans branch and will display a granite name plate below the new monument that will display the veterans 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 veterans 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 Veterans 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.

    Veterans honored by Zechar Bailey

    Proud to Provide Insurance & Financial Services to Our Veterans & Their Families

    DIANE EVANS200 Wagner Ave.

    Greenville937-548-1246

  • NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 5VETERANS

    500 Wagner Ave., Greenvillewww.daveknappford.com 547-3000

    Everyone at Dave Knapp Fordwould like to say

    Thank You

    To All of Our

    VeteransFriends & Neighbors

    Pricing EventGoing on Now!

    BY BOB ROBINSONASSOC. EDITOR

    [email protected] I once said

    to a Green Beret I dont feel like I did my part. He looked at me and said every MASH unit was within 10 minutes of where we were ghting If it wasnt for people like you I wouldnt be here!

    Dan Strong, a visitor from Northern Indiana and a Vietnam Veteran, was in War Zone C, but he wasnt 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 hed 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 Countys Medal of Honor recipient. As he read the names of the Darke County natives who didnt 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 didnt care who knew. He was in the artillery, Vietnam His unit was overrun, Strong continued. He turned his 105 around and red beehive rounds at the enemy. He wiped out swarms then a mortar knocked him out. Fellow soldiers thought he was dead and began ring over him. One hit him and woke him up. He saw two soldiers down. One black, one white He didnt 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 doesnt have to go through this nonsense.

    Strong looked back at the plaque honoring Pfc Dickey. Ill 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.

    Vietnam Veteran Dan Strong visits the Vietnam Memorial at Bears Mill. It has the names of the 21 Darke Countians who served and didnt make it back. (Bob Robinson photo)

    Visitor learns about Dickey at Bears Mill memorial

  • PAGE 6- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015 VETERANS

    HONORING THE BEST AND BRAVESTWISHING ALL OF OUR VETERANS A VERY HAPPY VETERANS DAY

    866-523-2673640 Markwith St. Greenville, OH 45331

    Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5:30 / Sat. 9-5Largest Inventory of Hand Guns, Rifles, Shot Guns, Targets, Accessories,& Ammo in the Greenville Area

    John Junior Boyd

    U.S. Navy,WWII

    USS Saint Louis1943-1947

    James L. BoydU.S. Navy

    Korean WarUSS Manchester

    1951-1954

    Robert W. Boyd, Sr.

    U.S. Navy, Seaman 1st ClassWWII

    USS Stanton (DE 247)1944-1946

    Charlie W. BoydU.S. Navy

    Korean WarUSS Essex1952-1954

    George D. BoydU.S. Navy

    Korean WarUSS Manchester

    1951-1954

    Billy G. ReigleU.S. Army

    Aircorp DivisionWWII

    1945-1946

    Russell (Pete) L. Mendenhall

    U.S. ArmyCO A 775th TK BN

    1943-1946

    Charles Mendenhall

    U.S. NavyAircraft CarrierUSS Hancock

    1951-1954

    James L. Boyd, Jr.

    U.S. Army1976-1979

    Robert W. Boyd, Jr.

    U.S. NavyVietnam EraUSS Inchon1967-1971

    Gary W. BoydU.S. Army1976-1979

    Russell Lee Mendenhall

    U.S. NavyVietnam EraUSS Intrepid1966-1969

    Jerry Dean BoydU.S. Army, 1st Sgt.Persian Gulf War

    1982-1997

    Ricky L. BoydU.S. Army, Specialist E4

    1977-1980

    James E. Warner

    U.S. Navy, Gunners Mate 2nd Class (T) USNR

    WWIIUSS Atlanta (CL 104)

    1943-1946

    Rainee G. ReigleU.S. Army

    Vietnam Era1971-1973

    Jack J. WarnerU.S. Army

    Korean War1950-1952

    Steven D. BohnU.S. Army

    Vietnam Era1972-1973

    James CashU.S. Navy

    Rick UssermanU.S. Air Force

    1986

    Ray J. AllreadU.S. Army, Pfc.

    Joint Security AreaPanmunjam, Korea

    1964-1965Signal Corp. 1963-1965

  • NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 7VETERANS

    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

    Herbert A. BeireisU.S. Army, Paratrooper

    Normandy InvasionWWII

    David L. BooherU.S. Army, SP/4

    Vietnam1966-1968

    Ryan BerryU.S. Air Force, Sgt.

    Served in TurkeyJan. 1986-Jan. 1990

    Joe E. BredesonU.S. Army, TSgt.

    101st Airborne VII CorpsEurope

    1940-1945

    Gaylen BlosserU.S. Army, E-5

    Vietnam1968-1970

    Marvin BraggU.S. Army

    World War II

    Mark BraggU.S. Marine

    Vietnam-Persian GulfMay 1972-June 1992

    Walter H. Bromagem, Jr.U.S. Marine Corp.

    Life Member of DAVVietnam War1967-1969

    James F. Buchanan, Jr.

    U.S. Air Force, SSgt.Feb. 1980-March 1990

    Frederick C. BrushServed in US Army

    Stationed in ThailandVietnam War

    Kristipher R. Buchanan

    U.S. ArmyServed in Iraq and was

    awarded the Purple HeartNov. 2005-Sept. 2012

    James F. Buchanan, Sr.

    U.S. Air Force, TSgt., retired

    1954-1974

    Tom ButtsU.S. Marine Corp.Dong Ha, Vietnam

    1967-1971

    Robert ChristianU.S. Army1966-1968

    Richard L. Collins, Sr.U.S. Air Force

    1954-1962

    Robert L. CrawfordStaff Sgt.

    World War IIKilled in FranceJune 30, 1944

    Richard L. Collins, Jr.U.S. Army

    Operation Desert Storm1975-1992

    Sammy L. DavisU.S. Army

    Medal of Honor

    William C. CookU.S. Army, Tech 4

    Medical Technician, Alaska1946-1947

    Bob DavisonU.S. Army

    Anti Aircraft ArtilleryPattons Outfit

    Served in Normandy1943-45

    James A. FallerU.S. Army, SSG

    Korean War1951-1953

  • PAGE 8- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015 VETERANS

    Always A Welcome Stop for

    GOOD CHICKEN!

    1 3 2 6 S W E I T Z E R 5 4 8 - 1 8 0 3 G R E E N V I L L E

    Angela CrispU.S. Army 1982-1987

    Stanley DudekU.S. Navy

    Ed DudekU.S. Air Force

    Wally DudekU.S. Army

    John DudekU.S. Navy

    Jacob SobierajU.S. Navy

    Louis TomichU.S. Navy

    Larry Crowell (left)Lee Crowell (right)

    U.S. NavyLarry served from 1958-1961

    Lee served during the Cuban Blockade, 1959-1962

    Harry FoutzU.S. Navy

    WWII

    Darrell HowardU.S. Army, SP4

    Vietnam

    Mike Fisher, Sr.U.S. Army, Specialist 4th Class

    Armored Recon DivisionPurple Heart VietnamMay 1969-Aug. 1970

    David P. Giacullo

    U.S. Air Force, SSgt., retired

    1952-1973

    Gene GigliU.S. Army

    Joe GoebelU.S. Army

    Joyce L. Hahn, U.S. Army, SSgt.

    WWIIBegan service in 1941

    Glenn GoodU.S. NavySea Bee

    WWII1943-1945

    Ronald Jay Hahn

    U.S. Army, E5 Sgt.196th Light Infantry

    Brigade1965-1967

    Frank J. GrahamU.S. Navy, CM3

    Oct. 1943-April 1945

    Michael J. HiattU.S. Marine Corp.

    2001-2005

    Kenny GreerU.S. Marine

    Infantry Security1984-1987

    Charles GreerU.S. Army

    WWII

    Gerald J. GreerU.S. Army, Pvt. 1st Class

    1949-1952

    Chester GreerU.S. Army

    WWII

    Robert GreerU.S. Army

    WWII

    Everett GreerU.S. Army

    WWII

    Sam GreerU.S. Army

    WWII

    Jack GreerU.S. Army

    Served during the early 60s

  • NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 9VETERANS

    1400 Wagner Avenue, Greenville, OH 45331

    Toll Free (866) 903-5464 Cell (937) 623-9959Fax (937) 548-0103

    [email protected] www.cbfirstchoice.com

    FIRST CHOICE REALTYThe Right Choice

    DOUG HARMANOhio Owner/Realtor Indiana

    Broker/Owner Bolyard HEATING & COOLING INC.

    1480 Sweitzer St., Greenville, Ohio548-6772

    Proud to be an American

    Elaine HarterU.S. Air Force, SSgt.

    1977-1983

    James HeckU.S. Army

    Francis HeckU.S. Army

    Richard HeckU.S. Navy

    Gib HeckU.S. Army

    Karl A. KisslingU.S. Army

    World War II

    Charles L. LangenkampU.S. Army Spec 5

    Denver HarterU.S. Army, Sgt.

    Korean Service Medal (with 3 Bronze Stars)

    Served in Korea for 1 years and 21 days1949-1952

    Glenn HemmerichU.S. Army, QuartermasterServed in Germany and

    France during WWII, 1942-1946

    Jerry HillU.S. Army, Pfc.

    14th Armored DivisionKilled in Action Nov. 23,

    1944Buried at Epinal, France

    Naomi V. (Kimmel) Hemmerich

    U.S. Navy WAVES, Telegrapher, 3rd ClassServed during WWII

    1944-1946

    Larry (Tom) Hofacker

    U.S. Army, Sp/4Vietnam 1969

    Active Duty 1968-1971Army National Guard,

    1988-1995

    Ron KauffmanU.S. Navy1955-1958

    Served on the aircraft carrier Saratoga

    Brent D. JonesU.S. Air Force, MSgt.,

    retired1976-1995

    Tom Magoto Sr. U.S. Army

    World War II

    John H. LaubU.S. Marine Corp.1st Marine Division

    Korean War 1955-1958

    Irvin Dapore U.S. Navy

    World War II

    Steve MaBreyU.S. Army

    Brian Magoto U.S. Air Force

    active duty

    Richard L. PoleiU.S. Army, Corporal

    Korea1952-1953

    Paul S. Robbins, Sr.U.S. Army

    1943 1945

    Herbert E. SchaferU.S. Army, Pfc.

    WWIIInducted June 8, 1944

    Elmer D. SchaferU.S. Army, Pfc.

    WWIIInducted April 14, 1941

    Lawrence SchaferU.S. Army, Pfc.

    WWIIInducted March 1943

    Harold H. SchaferU.S. Army, Sgt.

    WWIIInducted Jan. 19, 1942

    Robert SchaferU.S. Army, Pfc.

    Inducted March 13, 1943

    Herbert L. SeaseU.S. Army, Sgt.

    Feb. 1942-Jan. 1946

    Doyle L. Hemmerich

    U.S. Army Air Corps, Sgt.WWII, Aviation Engineer in

    Okinawa1944-1946

  • PAGE 10- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015 VETERANS

    937-337-3111 300 S. Main St., Ansoniawww.ansonialumber.com

    ERIK COTTRELL POST 140 of the

    AMERICAN LEGIONGreenville, OH

    Veterans 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, Womans Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion support our Veterans both past and present through various programs and local support of our community.

    HAPPY VETERANS DAY FROM THE MEMBERS OF POST 140.

    WE SALUTE YOU.

    Ian L. RismillerU.S. Army, Sgt.Cavalry Scout

    S. Korea (3 yrs) and Afghanistan. Stationed at

    Ft. Knox, Ky. Enlisted in 2003

    Stanley W. McEowen

    U.S. Navy, Lt. CommanderMay 2, 1932-Dec. 31, 1957

    Grandson of Henry H. McEowen

    Vernon D. McClain

    U.S. Army, PFCCompany M. 148th Inf.Luzon, Asiatic Pacific Theatre, Philippine

    Liberation, Jan. 1941-Oct. 1945

    Harold L. McKnightU.S. Army, Pfc.

    European Theatre, 5th Armored Div.

    Tanks Pattons GhostsThe Victory Div., 1944-

    1946

    Henry H. McEowenUnion Army, Pvt.

    Greenville, Aug. 5, 1862Company G. 44th Inf.

    Jan.4, 1864 transferred to Company G, 8th Cavalry

    Mustered out May 30, 1865

    Stephanie Meyer

    Co E 6th Signal BnServed in Bremerhaven,

    Germany1985 to 1987

    Daniel A. Pond, Jr.

    U.S. Navy, SM3USS UTE; USS Motobi2 WestPac; 2 Vietnam,

    South China, Pearl Harbor1963-1967

    Robert T. Olwine

    U.S. Army, Pfc.Korean War 1951-52

    Amy RaffelU.S. Army

    Iraqi Freedom5 years of service

    Matthew RaffelU.S. Marine

    Iraqi Freedom 2x8 years of service

    Jerald NetzleyU.S. Army, 1st Lt.

    Purple HeartBattle of the Bulge

    1942-1945

    Scott RiffleU.S. Navy, E-5

    USS America, CVA-66Vietnam (72-73)

    1969-1973

    Paul MarchalU.S. Navy, 3rd class store

    keeperSouth Pacific

    World War II 1943-1946

    Donald PalmeU.S. Navy, CM 3/C

    WWIIPacific

    1944-1946

  • PAGE 12- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015 VETERANS

    In honor of the faithful and dedicated service of our countrys 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

  • NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 13

    Thank you for your service

    ERWIN BROS. TRUCKING

    www.staffmark.com

    937-548-3212 Fax: 937-548-6160

    201 E. Fifth St., Greenville, OH 45331

    Ryan Phillip BengeUS Army, E-4 SpecialistInfantry Gunner on Bradleys.Operation Freedom,

    Baghdad, IraqArmy Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal2008-2013

    Roy S. ChavezUS Marine Corp., E3 Lance CorporalPacking SpecialistCamp Lejune, Japan, Camp Pendleton

    Sharp Shooting Award, Good Conduct Medal1983-1987

    Clyde D. CurtisUS Army, Specialist 4th ClassCounter Guerilla Warfare SchoolVietnam

    1965-1967

    Marvin Dwight DetlingUS Army, Pvt. 1st ClassArmored SchoolGood Conduct MedalActive Duty -

    1954-1956Reserves 1956-1962

    Lawrence Craig FenstermakerUS Army, PrivateKilled in Action in the Battle of the Bulge, Jan. 19, 1945. Buried 3 years later in Greenville Union

    Cemetery.Purple Heart

    Sean HartUS Army/National GuardCompany Commander, GreenvilleArmy Achievement Medal,

    Meritorious Service AwardFrom private to Company Commander1985-1999

    Robert Eugene HopperUS Army, Tech 5WWIIRadio OperatorNorthern France,

    Rhineland, Central Europe, ArdennesEAME Theater Ribbon (4 bronze stars), Lapel Button issued1943-1945

    Paul Burnell PetersUS Army, Sgt.WWIIAsiatic Pacic Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct, Lapel Button issued,

    1942-1945

    Paul Eugene PetersUS Marine CorpGood Conduct MedalReserves 1969-1975

    Ralph Louis PottkotterUS Air Force, Airman 1st ClassAir trafc controller and radar control during Cuban

    Missile Crisis and Vietnam EraExpert Rieman, Good Conduct and highest score ever on trafc control testServes as an ofcer Legion Post 470, Coldwater. He conducts ag ceremonies and military rites.1961-1965

    Larry Ray MatthewsUS Marine, Lance CorporalChauffeur for the Admiral of NATONational Defense Service

    Medal, Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service MedalActive duty - 1969-1971Reserves until 1975(Photo is with the Matthews Family)

    Robert Eugene Matthews, Jr.US Marine, Sgt.VietnamDong Ha, Da Nang, Phue By, Khe Shaun, ChulieNational Defense Service

    Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (3 stars), Vietnam Service Medal (with device), Combat Action Ribbon, Rie Sharpshooter Badge, Pistol Marksmanship Badge, Good Conduct MedalActive Duty - 1966-1969Reserves until 1972(Photo is with the Matthews Family)

    Charles and Nellie Hopper Family History of Service

    memories

    Charles, Patricia (Pottkotter), Myrna (Detling), Carol (Hart), Nellie, Onda Fae (Matthews), Robert Hopper, Ellen (Fenstemaker) (Peters).

  • PAGE 14- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015

    We are proud to offer you our services

    Orme Hardware210 S. Main Street., Arcanum

    692-8282

    Thank you for serving our

    country.

    memories

    James Bretz

    Paul Richard Sharp

    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 rst 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 rst 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 ex-mounted machine guns. Its purpose is to y 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 y almost three hours on one lling 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 taxpayers 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, ak 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 ight of the day and sign it off in the log book. This inspection is pulled daylight or dark, rain or shine to nd excessive bearing play or other defects which could make you fall out of the sky on the next days ight.

    If something is found, the ship is placed on a red x mark list. This signies the ship non-yable. Maintenance crews may work all night to x the defect in order to meet the mission time the next morning.

    The crew chief pulls intermediate inspections due every 25 ying h0urs. When this comes due the crew chief pulls fuel lters, fuel strainers, magnetic plugs, oil lters, etc. to make sure no steel lings or foreign matter has worked its way into the intricate systems.

    The period inspection is due at every 100 ying 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, lters, 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 pre-ight inspection in the morning and nd 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 dont have necessary parts to make the ship yable, 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 dont 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 own 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 its 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.

    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, thats 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 Ofcer, 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

  • NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 15memories

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    I learned very quickly as a 19-year old that I did not like walking point in Vietnam. I wasnt comfortable at it and I believe to be good at it you must have condence 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, isnt this a great place its 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 rst 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 Larrys foot touched the bridge everything just went up. You hear the explosion followed by dead silence and then

    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 Slicks 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 ew into Dayton International from Phoenix, AZ. We made the three hour trip from Greenville to McDermott together to meet the family. Thats just what veterans do. We spent the rst several hours with Slicks 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 rst contact the family had with Slicks 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 Joes 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 wasnt 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 nally 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 eld.

    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 snipers 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.

    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.

    Gaylen Blosser

  • PAGE 16- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015

    As our Armed Forces fight to protect our freedom abroad, were 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.

    1275 Northview Drive, Greenville, OH 45331

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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 six-year 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 eye-opening 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 rst 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 eld exercises all over Germany and Danish troops in Denmark. Most Americans link terrorism with the wars we are ghting in the Middle East today, but in the late 1970s, 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

    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 rst 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 ghting vehicles, three armored personnel carriers, three 2 1/2 ton cargo trucks, ve 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 hellre missiles from a United States Apache helicopter, killing two soldiers and injuring six. We were hit by friendly re; 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

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    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 Pacic. 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 ames with little chance of any

    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 rst introduction to actual warfare.

    Tooley went onto write, I

    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 rst half of the war. On this ship, we covered a lot of war-theatre 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 ames whirligiging into the ocean from dog ghts too high to ever see, some of just about everything in do-or-die warfare.

    Our nal 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 y 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 Devils Triangle. On the next day, at Norfolk, I was honorably discharged from my destroyer and from the U.S. Navy. In later years, in guidance-systems, systems test engineering, I helped to y our rst ICBM, our original Atlas missile.

    Charles E. Tooley

    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.

  • PAGE 18- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015

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    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.

    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 wasnt 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

    Pattons 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 Keys 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. Its a terrible thing to even live with, said Key. You wouldnt think youd remember something like that for 50 years, but you do.

    Delbert and Donald Key,

    U.S. Third Army

    Donald Key

    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.

    memories

  • NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 19

    Heartfelt Appreciation Is DeservedBy The Brave Veterans That Made

    Incredible Sacrifices So That We Can Live Safely In Our Homes

    Scott Zumbrink, Darke County Treasurer

    Mrs. Elva Saylor (upper center) has ve sons who have done and are doing a magnicent job on the 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. 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 Pacic. 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 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

    Herbert L. Sease

    Von Spitzer

    Rod Saylor

    memories

    Elva Saylor & Sons

    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.

    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. Thats 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.

    I arrived in Chulai, Vietnam in November 1968. The rst 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.

  • PAGE 20- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015

    Saluting Our Military Personnel Who Protect Us and Our Freedoms

    Since 1860 Auto Home Farms www.littmanthomas.com

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    George Gibbs DicksonUS Air Force, 1st Lt.WWII440th Bomb Squadron and 319th Bomb

    GroupAircraft Engineering Ofcer 4823 Battles and Campaigns Air Offensive Japan, China Offensive, RyukyusAmerican Theater Service Medal, Asiatic Pacic Service Medal, Japan Occupation Medal, Victory Medal, lapel button

    1943-1946

    George F. LewisUS 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 ying 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 Medal1951-1976

    Bruce Sink, U.S. Marine Corps.

    Cecil Eldon MatthewsUS Army, SSgt.WWII607 Field Artillery, 7th Div. Rhineland, Central Europe

    American Theater Ribbon, European Theater Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, WWII Victory Medal1943-1949

    Larry Ray MatthewsUS Marine, Lance CorporalChauffeur for the Admiral of NATONational Defense Service Medal,

    Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service MedalActive duty - 1969-1971Reserves until 1975

    Robert Eugene Matthews, Jr.US Marine, Sgt.VietnamDong 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, Rie Sharpshooter Badge, Pistol Marksmanship Badge, Good Conduct MedalActive Duty - 1966-1969Reserves until 1972

    Lloyd PearsonUS Army, Sgt. 1st ClassPresidential Honor GuardFlag presentations and military funeral details

    Sharp Shooting Medal (M1 Rie), Good Conduct Medal1952-1954

    Matthew Karl RamirezUS Navy, LieutenantOperation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan

    on Aircraft Carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower (2012-2013) AS F18 Pilot2006-present

    Charles W. Sink, Jr.U.S. Army, Sgt.WWIIGermany1944-1949

    Chester GreerU.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 MatthewsUS Army, Tech 4WWII785th 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 issued1943-1946

    The Roy and Agnes Matthews Family History of Service

    Shown are Irene (Ingle), Cecil, Agnes, Roy, Olive (Sink), Ralph, Pauline (Greer), Gertrude (Pearson), and Robert.

    memories

  • NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 21VETERANS

    Wholesale Carpet Outlet301 E. Main St., Gettysburg 937-447-4265Mon-Fri 8:00-8:00/Sat 9:00-5:00www.wholesalecarpetgettysburg.com

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    Saluting All Veterans

    Greenville800-844-0993

    BY RYAN BERRYMANAGING EDITOR

    [email protected] Melissa Vore,

    owner of Hot Rods & Harleys in Greenville, is doing her part to help veterans who have had difculty 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 theyre home, theyve 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 werent 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 shouldnt 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 inuence 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 certicates 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 rafe 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.

    Vore gives challenge to help veterans

    Melissa Vore, owner of Hot Rods & Harleys, invites you to help her provide supplies for The Journey Home.

  • PAGE 22- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015 VETERANS

    Loyal Order of the Moose # 329The Letter Jacket Lodge

    1200 Sweitzer Street ~ Greenville, Ohio 45331

    937-548-2662

    Winery salutes vets with newest wineVERSAILLES In honor of the

    faithful and dedicated service of our countrys 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-prot organization Honor Flight.

    Honor Flight Daytons mission is to take veterans of WWII, Korean, and the Vietnam War(s) and terminally-ill veterans of any armed conict to see their national memorials in Washington, D.C. These trips are provided at no cost to all qualied 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 i n f o r m a t i o n , visit http://h o n o r f l i g h t d a y t o n .org/ and http://www.wineryatversailles.com/

    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 nal 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 Mayower 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 Shakespeares 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

    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 [email protected] or 778-3815.

    Vietnam vetsinvited toannual 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 re 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.

    Veteran suicide and domestic violence examined at Edison

  • NOVEMBER 8, 2015-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERANS TAB PAGE 23VETERANS

    BY RYAN BERRYMANAGING EDITOR

    [email protected] 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 countrys history. He was ghting 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 eld. 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 Armys 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 drivers 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 wasnt 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 didnt remember it by its military name; he remembered it by its more common name the Grease Gun. As you might imagine, the

    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 cant 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 familys ne China for the meal.

    I wouldnt take a bit for the experience, said Eley and then added, But I wouldnt 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 nd Eley working 15 hours a week at Ormes Arcanum Hardware. He said he tried retirement before, but he likes having something to do.

    Eley, 95, logs a few more miles in a Jeep

    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)

  • PAGE 24- VETERANS TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 8, 2015 VETERANS

    VFW Post 7262219 North Ohio Street, Greenville, Ohio, 937-548-4004

    VFW Boosters Mens Auxiliary Womens Auxiliary VFW of Ohio Charities

    Bob KlostermanUS Army, Kuwait

    Dwight EmmonsUS Navy, World War II

    Tom MoweryUS Army, Korea 1963-1964

    Vietnam 1965-1966Awards: 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

    John (Jack) CampbellUS Army

    Jacob WhittakerUS Army Guard2009-Present