ELK RIVER HEROES In each edition of Elk River Living we feature and celebrate a member from our community. If you would like to submit someone you know, please contact Cyndi Tawney at cyndi@elkriverliving.com.
Honoring Gale Brown (Thank you to Gale Brown and his granddaughters, Regina Conley Bethencourt and Jaimie Althage, for their wonderful help with this article)
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his month ERL would like to salute honorary Veteran Gale Brown. While his journey in life resulted in him losing his eyesight after World War II, he chose to focus on what he could give back to others. At 95 years of age, he continues to exhibit compassion, strength and gratitude. After graduating from Gauley Bridge High School, Gale went to work as a coal miner in Gamoca Coal Mines. He then discovered that as a coal miner he would be deferred from the active draft list.
FEBRUARY 2021
Gale Brown with Company Commander, Chief Petty Officer Bartosh at Curtis Bay, MD, Jan. 1944.
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Gale Brown yearbook photo from University of Maryland 1952
For many that may have been their desire, but Gale wanted to serve in the military. He went to the draft office and rejected his deferment and he was then drafted into the United States Coast Guard in 1943. He completed his basic training in Curtis Bay, MD where he attended radio technical school. He was among the top 40 who were chosen to attend Capitol Radio Engineering Institute (CREI). After his graduation from CREI, he selected three locations for his next base assignment: Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. He laughed and said, “The military chose for me and
