Monday, August 8, 2011
The Greatest Generation
RITTMAN - The city paused a bit July 28 in its revelry to honor "The Greatest Generation."
As part of the Sleepwalker Festival, the intersection of Main Street and Ohio Avenue filled up after the parade that night to give a salute to the veterans of the Second World War.
"I am truly honored to have this opportunity to welcome you to this special tribute to a group of local heroes," Mayor Bill Robertson said in his opening remarks. "We are humbled by their service to our country and we honor them today as a symbolic representation of all World War II veterans from throughout our area, our state and our nation."
The tribute began solemnly with long-deferred honors for a deceased veteran. Cpl. John Grieves died in 1950 and was buried without military honors in Cleveland. His daughter, Jackie Grieves-Bauman, had his remains transferred to Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in 2002. The 555th Honors Detachment, a group of volunteer veterans who provide honors at the national cemetery, saw an opportunity both to give Grieves the honors he didn't get and to let the general public see a military funeral.
"The 555th wanted to do a memorial service," said funeral director Bob Gillman, whose business provided the hearse and empty casket for the service, said. "A lot of the public doesn't get to witness a military funeral."
Gillman Funeral Home also provided flowers to Grieves' family.
Veteran Chuck Craig narrated each segment of the funeral service as the honor guard brought the flag-draped casket out and folded the flag, presenting it to Bauman. A squad of seven riflemen fired three volleys in salute.
After the funeral honors, 10 World War II veterans were escorted to the platform on the east side of the intersection. Presenters from the 555th read a brief synopsis of each veteran's service and the mayor presented each with a proclamation. Representatives from the state and county governments were also there to salute the veterans, as well as a member of U.S. Representative Jim Renacci's office.
"Honoring these veterans today lets the veterans of our current wars know that they will not be forgotten," Maj. Gen. Todd Carmony of the Indiana National Guard said.
Carmony reminded the audience that about 12 percent of the nation's population at the time fought in the second World War, compared with less than 1 percent in our two wars today.
"Those who were not serving produced materials for the war at a tremendous rate," Carmony said, adding that the enormous casualty rate of the conflict meant nearly every family in America was affected in some way.
"By their example, we learned what it means to be an American," Carmony said.
Honored veterans were: Joseph De Luca Jr., Army; Dale Roher, Army Air Corps; Ike Frase, Army; Dean Foster, Navy; Robert McCarter, Navy; Francis Elmerick, Merchant Marine; Meryle Schaefer, Army Air Corps; Lloyd Boyer, Army; George Allenbaugh, Navy; and Orin Rufener, Army.
One of the veterans is also a prominent Rittman citizen. Dale Rohrer and his wife Elizabeth were both honored as Outstanding Citizens by the mayor.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Frank Buckles
Frank Woodruff Buckles (February 1, 1901 – February 27, 2011) was one of the last three surviving World War I veterans in the world, and was the last living American veteran of the war.[4] At the time of his death, Buckles was also the oldest verified World War I veteran in the world, and the second-oldest male military veteran in the world.[5] Although not in the military at the time, Buckles spent the majority of World War II as a prisoner of war. After the world wars, he lived at Gap View Farm, in Charles Town, West Virginia, and was the Honorary Chairman of the World War I Memorial Foundation
Bill Graham
We are all saddened to hear of the death of our comrade and friend Bill Graham. We will all miss his council and humor, his dedication and friendship. The newspaper announcement follows:
WOOSTER -- William Marshall "Bill" Graham, 76, of Wooster, died peacefully on Monday morning, Feb. 28, 2011, surrounded by family.
Bill was born May 14, 1934, in Wooster, to Paul W. and Mary Gladys (Marshall) Graham, and had attended Wooster City Schools. He was co-captain of the 1951 WHS football team, and president of his 1952 graduating class.
He was raised and had worked on the family farm until going to serve in the U.S. Army from 1955-57 stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. Upon his return he worked as a mechanic with several Akron-Wooster based trucking firms. He retired in 2000 after 25 years as head bus mechanic for Triway Local School District.
Surviving are a daughter, Jackie M. (Fred) Acord and granddaughter, Karlie Acord of Wadsworth, and a son, Gary W. Graham of Wooster; a brother, Richard (Joan) Graham of Wooster; a stepsister, Elaine (John) Ludwig of LaHabra Heights, Calif.; his stepmother, Vivian Graham of LaHabra, Calif.; and his ex-wife, Faye Saurer Graham
His parents preceded him in death.
Bill was a member of Central Christian Church, Ebenezer Lodge No. 33 F&AM and was a 32 degree master mason. He served as a member of the 555 Military Honors Detachment "The Triple Nickel" performing military burials at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.
He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and collected and restored older two cylinder John Deere tractors, played drums in the Stocksdale Square Dance Band and loved to dance and 50s music. One of his greatest joys was to watch all the smiling faces on the kids at "Rural Youth" square dances over the years.
He enjoyed skiing in Colorado, telling and hearing stories, "Fridays at the Parlor" and volunteering for various Wayne County groups. He loved spending time with "his buddy" granddaughter, Karlie and watching her play fast pitch softball and basketball.
A Masonic memorial service will be Thursday, March 3, at 10 a.m. at Central Christian Church, with the Rev. Kevin Phipps officiating. Burial will be in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman at 2 p.m.
McIntire, Davis & Greene Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster, is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County, 2525 Back Orrville Road, Wooster 44691 (for the construction of the new inpatient building); or Central Christian Church, 407 N. Market St., Wooster 44691.
As a family, we extend our sincere thanks to all the friends who sent cards with special notes and memories to Dad in his last weeks. He was humbled and said he did not realize that he had touched so many people's lives. Dad did not lose the battle, he was a 5 1/2 year survivor of pancreatic cancer and it was time to move on to the land of more.
Friday, February 4, 2011
555 Christmas Stockings Enjoyed in Afganistan
Below is SGT Shamp's message to us:
Thank you for the box of Christmas Stockings! It got here just in time. I collected them up and passed them around to the guys that were around and they all wanted me to thank you guys. The lens of my camera had dust on it when I was taking the pictures, but I guess that just adds to the "realness" of the images!
Merry Christmas! Mason
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