2106 Veterans Special Section

Honoring

2016 EMPORIA ALL VETERANS TRIBUTE

ALL WHO SERVED

TEG Retiring Color Guard Commander Cleat Buckbee PAGE 14 The story of Naval Pilot George Crocker PAGE 8 Alberta Brinkman to the first Veterans Day PAGE 23

THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

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November 5 and 6, 2016

ALL VETERANS TRIBUTE CELEBRATION The Emporia Gazette

Emporia, the founding city of Veterans Day, spends more than one day paying tribute to America’s veterans. Following is a schedule of the All Veterans Tribute Celebration for 2016.

Ongoing

Veteran Banners

Sunday

Freedom Fest 2016 Freedom Fest is a 5K race for runners or walkers, a 16- or 40-mile bicycle race and “The Order of the Spur” Competition.

Events begin at 9:30 a.m. at the All Veterans Memorial, 931 S. Commercial St. “All events associated with Freedom Fest recognize the sacrifice of all veterans and their families for our nation,” organizer Steve Harmon said. “This event brings local vets, current military and citizens together like no other. Everyone is faced with an individual event challenge or a volunteer role, but we come together as one for all vets, their families and the memorial.”

Proceeds for the Dirty Kanza/635th Armor Spur Ride go to a scholarship dedicated to children of regional veterans. All other events support the All Veterans Memorial.

Information: www.freedomfest16.org.

Street poles from the All Veterans Memorial north to Emporia State University feature over 250 veteran banners. Additional banners traverse Sixth Avenue between the Civic Building and Emporia Humanitarian Center. Biographies for many of the veterans featured on banners are available to read online at www.emporiamainstreet. com Those who would like to donate to the Veterans Banner Project may send a check to the Emporia Community Foundation, Veterans Day Essays in care of the Emporia Main Street Public A yearly essay and poster contest open to Improvement Fund at 527 Commercial St., students in grades 5 through 12 in Lyon and Emporia, KS 66801. surrounding counties is held and judged.

Veteran Art Exhibit The winners will be announced in a ceremoWorks by veterans are on display in the ny at 2 p.m. at the Emporia Middle School, Emporia Arts Center, 815 Commercial St., 2300 Graphic Arts Rd. The theme this year was “What military event is of special sigthrough Nov. 12.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tues- nificance to you? Why?” Cash prizes will be day - Friday, and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturdays. awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the grade-level categories. The prize Veteran Luminaries money is donated by local veterans organiHonor a veteran with a $10 luminary zations and auxiliaries. available for purchase now through Veterans Day, Nov. 11. All proceeds go to the All Veterans Memorial.

Veterans Roundtable 2016 Luminaries will flank Commercial The annual Veterans Roundtable will Street on Veterans Day through the eve- be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Preston Family ning. “Stop in at Twin Rivers to purchase Room of the Emporia State University Meyour luminary and let us know the name morial Union, 1301 Market St. you will want on it,” Owner Becky Smith Free parking is available in the parksaid. “We will take care of the rest.” Twin ing lots on the east side of Market Street Rivers Winery & Gourmet Shoppe is at the across from the east entrance to the Memocorner of Commercial Street and Seventh rial Union. Roundtable committee members Avenue. will be stationed at that entrance to provide

Tuesday

Saturday

Quilts of Valor Locally handcrafted Quilts of Valor were on display at the Emporia Public Library through October. They will be presented to area veterans during a ceremony at 11 a.m. at the American Legion, 2921 W. 12th Ave. Area Cub Scouts will assist in the presentation.

guidance to the stairs and elevator leading to the Preston Family Room, which is on the second floor of the Union.

The topic is “The Kansas National Guard: Past, Present and Future,” delivered by guest speaker Kansas Adjutant General Major General Lee Tafanelli.

‘Make Art, Not War’ A free presentation by Erika Nelson is

at 7 p.m. at the Old 75 Art Gallery, 106 N. Third in Burlington. The event is sponsored by the Coffey County Library and Kansas Humanities Council.

Nelson states: “The artist’s job is not to just document an era, but to interpret, to convey ideas, elicit emotions. When artists have deeply emotional responses to the world around them, some feel compelled to use their art … to spur others to action. This is where protest art finds its power.”

Presbyterian Manor begins at 7 a.m. at 2300 Industrial Rd. Zach Hunt, from the wounded warrior foundation and Maria Lane, Gold Star mother are the featured speakers this year. All attending veterans will receive a gift as a token of appreciation for their service. Pre-registration was requested.

Call 343-2613 to see if space is still available.

Veterans Day Parade

Veterans Day Parade begins at ‘Remembering Our Fallen’ 9:30The a.m. at Fourth Avenue and CommerThe traveling exhibit, “Remembering cial Street. It proceeds north on CommerOur Fallen,” is a sad reminder of the ul- cial Street to 12th Avenue. timate sacrifice made by over 70 Kansans Veterans Day Services killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The exhibit, which includes Spc. David Lane, is The annual Veterans Day service beat the American Legion, Post 5: 2921 W. gins with the Emporia High School band 12th Avenue, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. today playing music at 10:45 a.m. at the All Vetand Wednesday. erans Memorial, 931 S. Commercial St. “We can never forget those who sacThe welcome will be given at 11 a.m. rificed everything for our freedom. We by Kansas Representative and veteran must remember these American Heroes Don Hill (U.S. Army), followed by the and speak their names when we see their raising of the colors, the national anthem, family members,” said Colonel James Bi- a series of speakers, a salute and Taps. ernesser, USAF (Ret.). “This exhibit is The guest speaker is Emporia State Unicreated so it can travel easily throughout versity alumnus and Major General (Ret.) Kansas, so that more people will have the Kevin Leonard. opportunity to honor and remember the Chase County: Charlie Rayl will hold Fallen who called Kansas home.” a service 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in Swope Park, Sponsored by the American Legion Cottonwood Falls.

Post 5 and David Lane’s Faces of the Fallen.

Community Lunch More information is available at www.rememberingourfallen.org or www.patrioticTwo community ham and bean feeds productions.org. begin at noon, one at the American Legion, 2921 W. 12th Ave., and the other at the Emporia VFW Post 1980, 932 Graphic Arts Rd. All are invited.

Veterans Breakfast

Thursday

Veterans Banner Walk The Emporia Senior Center will provide breakfast to area veterans free of charge, Many sponsors and recipients of Embeginning at 8 a.m. The Center is at 603 E. poria Main Street Veterans Banners along 12th Ave. Commercial Street will sit with their banVeterans Recognition Program ners from 1 - 5 p.m. for those touring the displays. They will be available to talk Northern Heights High School in Allen about their experiences and thoughts on will have a special program for area veter- Veterans Day. ans at 2 p.m. in the main gymnasium. SponBanners are hung from the All Vetsored by the NHHS FBLA, there will be a erans Memorial north on Commercial recognition of veterans, patriotic readings Street and onto the Emporia State Uniand music, a panel of service members and versity campus. Banners are also found a reception afterwards. RSVP to 620-528- on Sixth Avenue between Constitution 3521 or bushr@usd251.org. and Market streets. A map of the banners and biographies are available at emporiamainstreet.com.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day Breakfast

Veterans Day breakfast at Emporia

Please see Veterans, Page 6

November 5 and 6, 2016

THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

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THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

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November 5 and 6, 2016

AREA VETERANS Franklin Paul Akers, Air Force Kenneth L. Ace, Army James T. Akers, Army Jesse Glenn Akers, Army Wiley Eugene Alberg, Marines Larry Gene Alderson, Air Force, Army National Guard & Army Reserve Richard Clark Allemang, Marines Donald N. Allen, Air Force Glenn Walter Allen, Army James Kenneth Allen, Navy Kenneth Robert Allen, Air Force Lawrence M. Allen, Army Terry Scott Allison, Air Force Martin Fidel Alvarado, Navy Ernest Worden Amos, Army Glenn Arlen Andersen, Navy Rasmus M. Andersen, Army Stanley L. Andersen, Army Stanley Louis Andersen, Jr., Navy Bennett Wooddell Anderson, Army Gail Philip Anderson, Army National Guard Albert Lee Andrews, Army Sherman E. Andrews, Army KIA Carl E. Antes, Army Melville W. Archer, Navy Timothy F. Armour, Navy Lewis A. Armstrong, Army Donald H. Arndt, Army Rodger Dean Arndt, Jr., Army Forest D. Arnold, Navy Jerry S. Arnold, Army Kenneth L. Arnold, Navy & Air Force Bob A. Ast, Marines Donald V. Ast, Army Harold J. Ast, Army Steven Vincent Ast, Army KIA Tom L. Ast, Navy John G. Atherton, Army Paul Auflegar, Army Leon Austenfeld, Navy Linus J. Austin, Army KIA Donald C. Bailey, Navy Norman G Bailey, Navy Jeffrey Howard Bair, Army Ronnie L. Baker, Air Force Thomas Vance Baldwin, Air Force Richard Lee Baldwin, Sr., Air Force Jack “JD” Bales, Navy Ronald David Barden, Coast Guard Bill Marion Barnett, Army Bryan B. Barr, Army George Dwayne Barrett, Army KIA

Craig Joel Barto, Navy Joseph A. Barto, Army Air Corps Terry L. Basler, Army National Guard Alfred L. Bates, Navy Christopher M. Bates, Army Robert G. Baumer, Jr., Navy Glen A. Bazil, Navy Kenneth L. Bazil, Army Arthur Daniel Beardsley, Army Charles August Beardsley, Army Russell L. Beck, Army Harold Eugene Bedner, Army Jerome Lynn Bedner, Army Margorie Louise Bedner, Navy Eldon Clyde Beemer, Navy Air Corps Donald E. Bell, Army Donald Eugene Bell, III, Army Donald Eugene Bell, Jr., Air Force Brian Raymond Bender, Navy Willis “Race” Hay Bennett, Navy Adam Douglas Benson, Marine Corps Leon T. Beran, Army Audrey George Berrie, Air Force Chester Robert Beyer, Army Larry C. Beyer, Army Michelle LaVon Bigger, Army Reserve Natalee Marie Birdsell, Army H. Duane Birk, Army Larry J. Birk, Army Richelle Birk, Air Force Dan L. Bitler, Army Daniel Vantress Bitler, Navy Fred David Bitler, Marines Wayne L. Blair, Navy Orin M Bliss, Army Gene Bloxom, Army Robert E. Boehme, Air Force Earl L. Bogle, Navy David William Boles, Navy Robert Joe Boles, Army Charles Glenn Bollinger, Sr., Navy Elmer J. Bolz, Army Russell P. Bonitatibus, Jr., Navy Austin Dayle Boosinger, Air Force Goerge Thomas Bowers, Army Martin Jerald Bowers, Army Air Force Alden E. Bowman, Navy Troy Bowman, Army Vernon Albert Bowman, Army Vincent J. Bowman, Navy Ian R. Boyd, Air Force Don Bradfield, Navy Robert L. Bradford, Army Air Force

Glen A. Bradshaw, Navy Ken G. Bradstreet, Army Christopher Brian Brammell, Army Howard F. Brammell, Army Gorman Duri Brandley, Army Michael Duri Brandley, Army Jerry W. Brandon, Air Force Gary Lynn Braynard, National Guard & Army Dale Chester Brecht, Navy Victor Brecht, Air Force KIA Sidney LaGene Breckenridge, Navy Robert Lee Brewer, Army Robert R. Brewer, Army Thomas Edward Brich, Army Donald B. Bright, Navy Charles D. Brillhart, Army J. Warren Brinkman, Navy Joseph Jerome Brinkman, Navy Darrell Kenneth Brock, National Guard & Army Kenneth Carl Brock, Seabees Ronald Dean Brockelman, Army Charles E. Brooks, Navy Donald Dale Brooks, Army Orville Franklin Brooks, Army Roger M. Brooks, Army Thomas B. Brooks, Navy John A. Brown, Army Larry Dennis Brown, Navy Marvin Nicholas Brown, Army Raymond M. Brown, Army Raymond Wayne Brown, Army Air Force Rex Duane Brown, Navy Webster John Brown, Air Force Wilbur E. Brown, Army Kenneth Bruner, Navy Ralph Bruner, Navy Kevin Wayne Bryan, Army Earl E. Bryant, Marine Corps William Arthur Bucher, Army Francis Verl Buck, Navy Vernon Howard Buck, Army William Floyd Buck, Army Cleat Buckbee, Army Larry A. Bucklinger, Army Marvin Douglas Buckridge, Army KIA Trinidad Bernard Bueno, Army Roger E Buffum, Navy Virgil W. Bugbee, Army Aaron A. Bura, Army Air Corps William Clifford Burden, Army Cecil C. Burdette, Navy Clarence Burenheide, Air Force

Douglas James Burenheide, Army Fred Gerard Burenheide, Army Harold J. Burenheide, Army Leo Bernard Burenheide, Army Scott A. Burenheide, Army Rollo F. Burkett, Army Paul L. Burris, Air Force Thomas Theodore Burris, National Guard Wesley H. Burris, Army National Guard Frederick L. Burris, Jr., National Guard Frederick L. Burris, Sr., Air Force Dwight F. Bush, Army Dickie Lee Buss, Army Cecil R. Butter, Army Leroy G. Butter, Army Russell Lawrence Byrd, Air Force James D. Callow, Navy Charles Raymond Campbell, Marines Edward Glenn Campbell, Army Floyd “Tuffy” Campbell, Marines

Cory Lee Cannon, Army Dick Eugene Cannon, Navy Donald E. Cannon, Navy Kenneth E. Cannon, Navy Robert Lee Cannon, Navy Timothy Lynn Carley, Army KIA Charles Keith Carnes, Army Charles Carnine, Army Howard L. Carnine, Navy Robert Michael Carson, Army Roger Clark Carson, Army John W. Carson, Jr., Army Joe Donald Carter, Navy John C. Carter, Army Neil Roland Cascadden, Army Alpha Guy Casebier, Navy Austin Eugene Casebier, Air Force Floyd Leland Casebier, Navy Jack Alan Casebier, Navy Albert J. Casida, Air Force Cole Austin Chamberlain, Air Force Chester L. Chandler, Army Clarence D. Childers, Army

Frank Albert Childers, Navy Ronald L. Childers, Army Billy Gene Christian, Air Force Michael A. Christiani, Army Phillip Cisneros, Army Robert Cisneros, Army Lawrence Duane Clapp, Marines Luther Frank Clapp, Army Robert Dean Clapp, Marines Aaron Wayne Clark, Navy Homer Lewis Clark, Merchant Marines Robert Francis Clarke, Merchant Marines William C. Clay, Army Fred R. Clement, Army Ronald Eugene Clemmer, Navy Ernest Louis Clerico, Army Robert C. Clifton, Army Gerald Raymond Coats, Army Gary L. Coble, Navy Leonard Francis Coble, Army Raymond O. Coble, Army Steven L. Coble, Air Force

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November 5 and 6, 2016

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AREA VETERANS Bill Coburn, Army William L. Cochennet, Navy Fred Coe, Army Lester D. Coffman, Army Air Corps Samuel H. Coffman, Navy Donald Charles Coldsmith, Army Gerald L. Cole, Navy Carl G. Collier, Army William A. Collins, Navy Floyd Dale Combes, Army Ray T. Combes, Army Bob D. Commons, Army Air Corps Sidney S. Conger, Marines & Army National Guard Aloysius Anthony Conrade, Army Raphael Henry Conrade, Army Raymond Henry Conrade, Army Russell Conrade, Army James G. Contizano, Army Paul Conway, Navy KIA

Clifford J. Cook, Army Dane M. Cook, Marines Elmer LeRoy Cook, Navy William F. Cook, Army Donald E. Cook, Sr., Army John Eugene Cooper, Army KIA Steven L. Corbin, Navy Tom King Cotte, Army Roy Irvin Courtney, Army Walter Gene Cox, Army Charles Robert Crawford, Air Force John Robert Crawford, Marines Robert Crawford, Army Roy D. Crawford, Army Alva Kenneth Cree, Navy Lawrence Eugene Crisp, Air Force George Charles Crocker, Navy Air Douglas R. Crockett, Marines Walter Hobson Crockett, Army, Army Air Force Richard Lee Crone, Army

Alvin C. Cross, Army Clarence Park Cross, Navy John H. Cross, Army Elmer G. Crouch, Army Gary Wayne Crumb, Navy Wesley Dale Crumpacker, Army Air Corps Ben H. Cuadra, Air Force David Cuadra, Navy Kenny D. Cuadra, Army Spence Cuadra, Marines Harold L. Culver, Marines C. W. Cunningham, Army Carl Edwin Cunningham, Marines KIA Robert Charles Cunningham, Marine Corp.

Allen G. Curless, Army Bernie Eugene Cusic, Navy Ralph Leroy Daggett, Army Air Corps Chester Eugene Daharsh, Army National Guard Dalmer Neil Daharsh, Marines

Frank Warren Daharsh, Army Winifred Daharsh, WAC Homer Allen Dailey, Navy John Crawford Dailey, Army Verl Lloyde Dailey, Air Force Charles Loy Daily, Navy Roger Eugene Daily, Army Ross O’Dell Daily, Navy Indy Dambro, Army Patrick Joseph Danler, Navy Lloyd E. Davidson, Army Brian Emlyn Davies, Army Bernard D. Davis, Navy Bernard F. Davis, Army KIA Jack James Davis, Marines Max Davis, Army Morris Preston Davis, Army Air Corps KIA Steven Max Davis, Navy Jimmie D. Dawes, Army Erick Terrill Dean, Air Force National Guard Larry James DeDonder, Army Robert Leo Deering, Navy

Greg Seibel, AAMS®

Jon Geitz, AAMS®

John K. Newland, AAMS®

Courtney Ward

526 Commercial Emporia, KS 66801 620-343-2371

1601 West 6th Ave, Ste B Emporia, KS 66801 620-343-2388

935 Industrial Road P.O. Box 1105 Emporia, KS 66801 620-342-2562

1601 West 6th Ave, Ste B Emporia, KS 66801 620-343-0977

Financial Advisor

Financial Advisor

Financial Advisor

Financial Advisor

Hilario Ambrosio Deering, Army Jessica Manique Deering, Air Force Suzanno Deering, Army Bradley W. Demler, Navy Lester I. Denison, Army Hubert R. Denny, Army KIA James A. Denny, Army Jim Denny, Army Thomas G. Denny, Air Force Tom G. Denny, Air Force Leroy L. Denson, Navy Robert Joe Denson, Army Charles Frederick Dewey, Army KIA Brian Lee DeWitt, Army Thomas Nels Dial, Jr., Army Henry J. Dick, Army Cliff L. Dieker, Army Donald D. Dieker, Army Hubert Carl Dietrich, Army Walter Eugene Dietrich, Navy Joseph Lucas DiGiovanni, Army Roy Leonard Diller, Navy

Ernest M. Dilley, Navy Ronald D. Dilley, Navy Jimmy E. Dillman, Army Rustan Ray Dirks, Navy Donald D. Dix, Air Force David Winfield Dixon, Navy & Seabees Daniel J. Dodge, Navy Denise D. Dorcey, Army Michael Jude Dorcey, Army Lewis R.G. Dorsey, Army KIA Charles Wesley Dorton, Air Force Robert Hughes Doudican, Sr. , Navy John Aloysius Dougherty, III, Air Force Cassius E. Douglas, Army Darrell Eugene Douglas, Air Force Gale Clair Downs, Army John Elmer Doxon, Army Lesley Ann Draper, Army Francis William Duncan, Navy

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AREA VETERANS Harold E. Durst, Army Carl Eaton, Marines KIA Ralph Eaton, Air Force Frank F. Eckdall, Army Funston J. Eckdall, Army Louis J. Edgett, Air Force Charles W. Edington, Army & National Guard Donald Ray Edmiston, Navy Robert C. Edmiston, Navy Robert Frank Edmiston, Air Force David Judd Edwards, Army Melvin L. Edwards, Army Donald D. Ehrlich, Navy Gary R. Eichorn, National Guard Donald E. Ek, Navy Galen B. Eklund, Army David M. Eldridge, Marines Bradley D. Elkins, Air Force Jack D. Elkins, Sr., Navy Carl E. Elliott, Air Force Bob Embry, Navy George David Emch, Army George Jefferson Emley, Army National Guard James Earl Emley, Army National Guard Ray W. Emley, Jr., Army Curtis A. Endly, Army Douglas A. Endly, Army Warren J. Endly, Army Air Corps Billy J. England, Army George William Ensminger, Army Michael W. Erb, Marines Howard Leo Ernst Jr., Navy John G. Esch, Army Clinton Richard Eubank, Navy

Elmer Franklin Eubank, Naval Air Force Frank Allan Eubank, Army Otto Leroy Eubank, Air Force William F. Eubank, Army Charles C. Evans, Army Robert Lee Evans, Army John Steven Everett, Army William Blake Eyman, Sr., Navy Clayton D. Farr, Army Reserve Carl Faust, Army Air Corps Frank Faust, Army George Werner Faust, Army Air Corps Robert Eugene Faust, Army Eric E. Fay, Army Trenton A. Fay, Navy Gilbert L. Fehr, Navy Marvin L. Fehr, Navy Orval J. Fehr, Army & Air Force Wilford E. Fehr, Army Benjamin Harrison Feik, Army Joe Fernandez, Army John Fernandez, Navy Ramon Fernandez, Jr., Army Steven Lee Ferrell, Army Lawrence Henry Fessler, Army John Robert Fields, Marines Norman G. Fields, Marines Edgar William Fisher, Army John Raymond Fitzpatrick, Navy Eugene Francis Fladung, Navy Francis “Jim” James Fladung, Marines Melvin L. Flint, Army Richard Leon Flood, Army Eric Lee Flott, Navy Henry “Hank” Albert Flott, Army Harold Albert Foley, Navy

Robert E. Ford, Navy Donald P. Forrester, Navy Robert Lee Foster, Navy Earl Wesley Fowler, Navy Ivan H. Fowler, Navy Robert Fowler9 Army Leonard Paul Frantz, Army Lisa M. Frantz, Air Force Howard Calvin Frazier, Army & Navy Ivan H. Frazier, Army Ronald Harold Frederickson, Navy Terry Lyn Frey, Navy Donita M. Fritz, Navy Harry R. Fritz Jr., Navy Donald Max Froelich, Army James Eugene Fugate, Army Donald Kenneth Fullen, Army Larry Vincent Gales, Army Jan William Gallagher, Navy Donald Gant, Army Joe Ganterman, Army KIA Gould Coates Garcia, Air Force Richard Garcia, Army Jesse S. Garcia, Army KIA Henry E. Gardner, Army Kelly M. Gardner, Army Mark A. Gardner, Navy William Eugene Gardner, Air Force Larry W. Garner, Marines LeRoy Edward Garnett, Army George Allen Garrett, Air Force Delbert W. Garriott, Army Raymond Arch Garrison, Army Marvin Albert Gast, Army Roy John Gatewood, Air Force William Walter Gentner, Navy

November 5 and 6, 2016

VETERANS From PAGE 2

Area Tributes A Veterans Day Tribute will be held at 2 p.m. at the Lebo school gymnasium. There is a reception before the ceremony at 1:30 p.m. in the commons area. Information: 620256-6161.

Madison High School will host their 3rd annual Veterans Day Assembly at 2 p.m.

All veterans and families are invited and encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served at 1:30 p.m. prior to the start of the Assembly. Information: 620-437-2909.

Veterans Memorial Mass An English mass will be said in honor of all veterans, deceased, active or a veteran of any branch of the service at 6 p.m. at St. Catherine Church, 205 S. Lawrence St. Organizers state this is in gratitude for veterans’ time, love, and service to our country.

A table will be placed at the front of the church for photos, to create an honorable display. During the mass, there will be a special blessing for the veterans and the pictures. All veterans and families are invited to attend.

VFW Benefit Dance A benefit concert and dance for re-modeling and general upkeep at the VFW Post 1980 Club, 932 Graphic Arts Road, will be held on Veteran’s Day. The cover charge of $10 will help the VFW and goes into effect at 7 p.m. The band, local favorite “Just Passin’ Through” performs from 8 p.m. - midnight. There will also be raffles for door prizes.

Nov. 12

ESU Appreciation Luncheon An ESU All Veterans Appreciation Luncheon is 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 in the Memorial Union, Webb Hall.

Major General (Ret.) Kevin Leonard will be the featured guest and speaker this year.

Guests will include alumni veterans and current students who are veterans. Learn more at www.emporia.edu

Nov. 13

Veterans Roundtable First Congregational Church, 326 W. 12th Ave., will hold a veterans roundtable discussion at 9:15 a.m. during Sunday School, followed by the morning service and a Thanksgiving luncheon. Information: 342-6854.

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November 5 and 6, 2016

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AREA VETERANS David L. Gentry, Army Albert Neal Gerardy, Army Travis Alan Germann, Army Harold E. Gibbens, Army Rolland N. Gibson, Army Bobby R. Gilbert, Army Gary L Gilbert, Army Paul M Gilbert, Army Harold V. Gillen, Air Force Joseph A. Gilligan, Army Air Force D. Samuel Gilmore, Civil War Army David S. Gilmore, Army Duane Alan Ginavan, Air Force Donald Anthony Glaser, Navy Leland Earl Glaser, Navy James N. Glenn, Navy Delmas C. Goldsberry, Army Bennie M. Gomez, Navy Theodore F. Gomez, Marines KIA Walter F. Gomez, Navy Carl Leroy Good, Army

Howard R. Goodwin, Army William Ellis Goodwin, Jr., Air Force George Adolphus Gordon, Army Leonard L. Gordon, Army Robert William Gordon, Army Seymour Samuel Gordon, Navy James Junior Gosser, Army Howard Hugh Gotthardt, Army Margaret Eileen Gotthardt, Army Harry R. Goza, Army Walter L. Graham, Air Force Bernard Patrick Grannan, Army Anthony C. Gray, Civil War James A. Gray, Army Daryl L. Graybeal, Army Glenn R. Grayson, Army Jimmie D. Grayson, Army Gerald W. Green, Navy Dwight W. Greenlee, Army Glenn N. Greenlee, Army Kenneth Wayne Greenlee, Coast Guard Robert H. Greenlee, Navy

Roy Lyle Greenlee, Coast Guard Gary L. Greenwood, National Guard & Army John F. Greer, Navy Douglas Milton Gregg, Army Eldo Horton Gregg, National Guard Oliver Howard Gregg, Civil War Charles A. Greig, Army Charles L. Greig, Army Vernal Clinton Grieder, Army Reserve Robert Lee Griffith, Navy Dale D. Grimsley, Army Glenn William Grimsley, Navy Leslie Elvin Grimsley, Army Ross Albert Grimsley, Army Air Force David Charles Groh, Navy Harry W. Groh, Army Glen Dale Gunkel, Army Howard G. Gunkel, Army National Guard Wayne Eugene Gunkel, Army

Earl R. Gunkle, Merchant Marines Jessika L. Gutierrez, Navy Joel Gutierrez, Air Force Paul E. Gutierrez, Marines Donald Francis Haag, Navy John A. Haag, Army Reserve Richard J. Haag, Air Force Marvin Glenn Haag, Air Force Michael Kane Haas, Army Reserve Dickey Dale Hager, Navy Robert A. Hager, Marines KIA Paul L. Hahn, Army Phillip Lee Hahn, Army Douglas William Haig, Air Force Roland Luis Hainey, Navy Alfred Francis Halbrook, Marines Donald Raymond Hale, Army Harold Rayman Hale, Army Larry Ralph Haley, Air Force Harold L. Haley, Navy Larry D. Hall, Army

Mark A. Hall, Sr., Army Joe Francis Hallowell, Army Albert Cecil Hamacher, Marines KIA Roy Howard Hamacher, Navy Cleo Winfred Hamman, Air Force Dan J. Hamman, National Guard Wendell Fern Hamman, Army Albert Edwin Hammer, Army Berlin Ellsworth Hammer, Navy Carl Fletcher Hancock, Army KIA Charles W. Hanna, Army Orval V. Hardesty, Navy Ernie Rueben Harlan, Army Cleland Smith Harr, Army Leonard Harriman, Navy John R. Harrington, Army John Lewis Harris, Navy Lawrence E. Harris, Army Lloyd Jack Harris, Army Ralph Harris, Marines Ronald J. Harrison, Navy

Parker Harry, Army Jason Craig Hart, Army James Fredrick Harter, Army Melvin N. Hartig, Army Findley E. Hartzler, Army Air Force Dale E. Hase, Air Force Paul William Hastings, Army Reserve Marshall Taylor Hatch, Civial War Stephen Rhoads Haught, Army Marshall Asher Havenhill, Army Billy Vaughn Hayes, Army Fred A. Hayes, Army Merle E. Hayes, Army Virgil A. Hayes, Navy James “Jim” D. Haynes, Navy Clifford W. Heckathorn, Navy Air Corps Russell J. Heckathorn, Army Robert Nesley Hedges, Army William Hubert Hedges, Navy Michael John Heffron, Air Force

Veteran artist exhibit A

rtwork by veterans is on display in the Emporia Arts Center, 815 Com-

mercial St., through Nov. 12. Art can often be therapeutic for those who have served, particularly in combat. At left is “Winter Sunrise” a watercolor painting by Paul Johnston. Hours for the Trusler Art Gallery are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday - Friday, and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturdays.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KAILA MOCK

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W O R L D

W A R

I I

November 5 and 6, 2016

V E T E R A N

GEORGE CHARLES CROCKER

By Jan Huston

Special to The Gazette

World War II veteran George Crocker of Emporia distinguished himself as a naval PB4-Y-2 gunner in combat with Japanese aircraft in the late stages of World War II in the Pacific.

The PB4-Y-2 was the latest patrol and bombing aircraft of its time, designed from the B-24, only greatly modified. Seven feet were added to the flight deck making it an extremely comfortable aircraft. Sometimes called the Privateer, it had a single extremely high tail, approximately four to five feet higher than the tail of a B-29.

According to pilots, this plane was very planes, the PB-4-Y-2s. By the end of the easy to fly. It earned the nickname of “The year, his entire squadron was based on Tinian in the Mariana Islands, making patrol Flying Tail.” and bombing runs into the Pacific to Truk The Flying Tail and later toward Iwo Jima and Japan.

They were attacking picket boats that George Crocker was born in Spearville, Kansas, graduating from high school in the Japanese had put up to spot the B-29s 1941. He attended College of Emporia, as they were taking off from Saipan and Tispending a year and a half here before en- nian. His plane’s job was to sink these boats tering the service. Wanting to fly, he found or report to submarines those that were in that at the time of his enlistment there were the area.

That spring in 1945, Crocker’s plane too many pilots and not enough planes, so he went ahead into the Navy, eventually was in on the invasion of Iwo Jima. As soon as the first airstrip was taken, a very taking radio training in Memphis.

From Memphis he was transferred to short strip, his plane and others began to Hollywood, Florida, to gunnery school. Af- land there, even though the Japanese were ter training a while in Jacksonville in PBYs, still at the end of the strip firing mortars he was sent to Hutchinson, Kansas, in Au- at them. In the heat of battle, planes were making emergency landings on this short gust of 1944 working in PB-4-Y-1s.

In September he was shipped off to San Diego where they got their squadron Please see Crocker, Page 9

Saluting our veterans, one cup at a time.

15% Discount to Veterans every day of the year!

6 0 8 C O M M E R C I A L S T. | E M P O R I A , K S 6 6 8 0 1 | 6 2 0 - 3 4 3 - 3 9 1 9 U.S. Naval Pilot George Crocker

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CROCKER

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curred on May 30, 1945, when they spotted a convoy anchored off the Malay coast.

Three planes came up.

From PAGE 8 “The first one that came up and attacked us was what we called a Jake. It was strip, only to find that they had to turn a float plane. The Japanese would either around, hoping to avoid collisions with catapult it off of the cruiser or would let other incoming planes. it down in the water. He had the first shot Crocker remarked that seeing the bat- at us. tles still going on in the northern half of “He came in on our port side at about the island exposed him to dead soldiers nine o’clock. He missed. Our pilot spun being buried daily, large numbers of dead. the plane around, and we made a complete Statistically, he said, more marines were turn and rather than Jake getting on our killed in the invasion of Iwo Jima than tail, we were on his tail. So we were firing were killed in the Army on D-Day. “Most from the forward top turret, and I could people don’t realize also that the largest see that we had already killed the tail gunamphibious landing was not ner; his body was kind of hangD-Day; it was Okinawa. There ing over the side. were more troops, more ships, Read Crocker’s “Our bow turret (gunner)... and that sort of thing in Oki- Account of was our plane captain. He got nawa than had been on D-Day, the Battle so excited he was holding his which is kind of surprising. triggers down to the point of Iwo Jima Crocker maintained that the where he burned out the barreason he is still alive today is PAGE 25 rels. So the tracers are just flythat his training was superior to ing and circling out in the air. I what the Japanese were giving wasn’t in a position to do any more firing their recruits near the end of the war. from the angle.

He said, “The planes we shot down, “So then they were debating as to had these been at the beginning of the whether, because we were gaining on war, with their highly trained pilots that them, we could chop off his tail with one COURTESY PHOTO they had when they bombed Pearl Harbor, of our props. About that time he took, not if they’d have had that same quality of pi- a steep dive, but he started to really go way The PB4Y-2, called the Privateer or The Flying Tail, had a single, elongated lots near the end of the war, I don’t think down. We were flying around about a thou- tail fin rather than the B-24’s twin tail configuration. we would have survived. I think they prob- sand feet, and he went down. We thought ably would have shot us down. But their we’d lost him. He got down on the water pilots were not that well trained, and for about a hundred, less than a hundred feet, some reason they were trying to protect and started to make a landing and then he what planes they had. They were not as blew up. aggressive as they might have been if they “About that time we realized this cruishad been trained well.” er over there had been firing ‘ack-ack’ at

By May, Crocker’s squadron had lost so us, and it was pretty heavy but not terribly many planes and personnel that they were close. We went over the Malay coast, over sent to Palawan in the Philippines, which the convoy. We salvoed all the bombs we was supposed to be easier duty. They had. would fly out of Palawan, across Borneo “Whether we hit any other ships, I don’t to Singapore, the Malay coast and as far know. But then we took off and at about as Saigon. that time a tail gunner called out that there was a bogey at seven o’clock, and

‘Turn into him, Smitty’

Crocker’s most memorable flight oc-

Please see Crocker, Page 12

“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”

Thank You for protecting us

Page 10

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November 5 and 6, 2016

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Page 11

AREA VETERANS Nicholas Paul Heffron, Air Force Rex A. Heinitz, Marines Evert B. Heins, Army Air Force Louis J. Heins, Army Ronald E. Heins, Army Dale “Mayo” L. Hellman, Navy Kenneth L. Helstrom, Army Air Force Warren G. Hendrikson, Air Force Walter B. Henrie, National Guard Duane M. Henrikson, Air Force Michael P. Hensley, Navy Paul W. Hensley, Navy Michael Dan Herrick, Army Richard L. Herrman, Air Force Carla Ann (Birnbaum) Heuler, Air Force Larry Duane Hickox, Army Beth Higgins, Army Harry E. Higgins, Army Rex William Hileman, Navy Don A. Hill, Army William E. Hill, Navy & Air Force

Lloyd Hilton, Air Force Eldon E. Hinck, Navy Harry Martin Hinck, Army Kenneth Eugene Hinck, Navy Clyde Alexander Hixon, Army John Leo Hoag, Army Clayton V. Hobble, Army Fred W. Hoch, Army Larry Gene Hodge, Air Force Henry Joseph Hoelting, Air Force Merle E. Hogg, Army Clarence L. Hohne, Navy Steven Lee Hollar, Air Force Nathan J. Hollembeak, Marines Emmons E. Hoover, Army John J. Hoover, Civil War KIA Ned L. Hoover, Army Samuel Lane Hoover, Civil War Samuel Russell Hoover, Army Bruce Hoover, Jr., Marines Charles Robert Hopper, Army Gregory I. Horrell, Army Maurice Joseph Patrick Horrell, Navy/Seabees

Bonnie L. Horton, Air Force Bruce E. Horton, Marines Dean L. Horton, Army Donald Martin Horton, Navy Larry Keith Horton, Navy Loren M. Horton, Army Air Corps Warren Jacob Horton, Army Harold R. Hosey, Army Robert Hossfeld, Air Force Carl J. Hotzel, Army Air Corps James Louis Hotzel, Army John W. Hotzel, Army Paul H. Hotzel, Army Jack E. Houghton, Army Jerry E. Houghton, Navy Michael R. Houghton, Navy Clay Charles Hoy, Army John P. Hoy, Army Edward Eugene Hoyt, Air Force Harold Eugene Hoyt, Army Elden D. Hubert, Army James U. Hubert, Navy Michael Neil Hubert, Army KIA

Richard D. Hubert, Air Force William A. Hubert, Air Force Lewis H. Hubert, Army William Joel Hudson, Navy John Wesley Huff, Army Clarence McKinley Hull, Army KIA Joan Marie Hummel, Army L. Scott Hummel, Army Kenneth Lloyd Humphreys, Air Force Robert R. Humphreys, Navy John Robert Hungerford, Army & Navy Claude H. Hunt, Army Air Force Robert H. Hunt, Army William James Hunt, Army Kenneth W. Hush, Army Robert Kenneth Hush, Army Tommy Hutcherson, Navy Robert E. Hyde, Army Jeffrey C. Illk, Army Gilbert Elwyn Inlow, Air Force Stanley Stephen Inwood, Army

Stephen Brooke Inwood, Army Warren Wayne Ireland, Army Gene E. Isom, Army & Navy Francis D. Jabara, Army Walter K. Jabara, Army Wayne Junior Jackson, Army Ernest Jackson, Jr., Army Clinton M. Jacob, Army Air Force KIA Duane Eugene Jacob, Air Force Dwillis Jacob, Army Marshall L. Jacob, Army Marshall Lynn Jacob, Air Force Richard Carl James, Army Marcia A. Janzen, Army Carl Robert Jeffers, Army Harry Lloyd Jenkins, Army Ira A. Jennings, Civil War William Lowell Jensen, Army Martin R. Johns, Army Alvin Francis Johnson, Army Bruce L. Johnson, Coast Guard Clair Johnson, Army KIA Claude Jamerson Johnson, Army

Daniel Shaun Johnson, Air Force David V. Johnson, Navy Donald LeeRoy Johnson, Army Donald R. Johnson, Air Force Edwin Johnson, Navy Glenn Edward Johnson, Navy James A. Johnson, Army Jimmy Lee Johnson, Army Lawrence William Johnson, Navy Lloyd Johnson, Air Force Martin E. Johnson, Marines Matthew Shane Johnson, Army Patrick Lou Johnson, Air Force Roy A Johnson, Air Force Jesse Francis Johnson, Jr., Air Force Vernon C. Johnson, Sr., Army Paul L. Johnston, Army Glen Richard Joles, Army Air Force Edward J. Jones, Navy & Air Force James C. Jones, Navy Martin W. Jones, Navy

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Page 12

CROCKER From PAGE 9 here came a brand-new silver, what we called an Oscar. It was like Zeke fighter. It was brand-new, and it came up on our side and paralleled us as we were leaving the area. We thought, well, he’s just escorting us away from the convoy. He was in range, and we decided that we wouldn’t shoot unless he made a run or something.

“So, for the longest time he just stared at us. I thought he was within less than hundred yards of us. Official reports from the spotter said it was five thousand feet, but that would have been about a mile away, and I certainly wouldn’t have been able to see this guy looking at us.

“We had a nude painted on the side of the plane. The plane was called the Super Chief. She had a white hat on, a chief’s hat, and slippers, and she was holding a little glass of wine. It was a side view, a very charming little painting. He apparently had been staring at that, couldn’t figure out what it was. But then he decided that, to save face or something, he was too close to start his run, and he started to turn into us.

THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

“The pilot … turned away from him which would have put him pretty much on our tail, and the captain hollered, ‘Turn into him, Smitty.’

“So he turned back into him. We turned and went under him, and he came over the top and two top turret gunners were able to just blast him, and he rolled over and hit the water. Didn’t explode at all. Then the third plane came up, but flew back into the clouds and disappeared.

“So, that was one of the most interesting things on that particular month.”

From 15 to 3, home safe Other harrowing experiences followed, but finally in August the war was over. Out of the original fifteen planes, his squadron had three left. They had plenty of points to be discharged, but they still lost planes after the war due to weather. They were flying thousand-mile flights. After making it to Hawaii, they had a choice of flying home or waiting for a carrier. Since none of them had ever been on a ship (although they had been in the Navy the whole time), they opted for the carrier Ticonderoga.

When approaching the Golden Gate Bridge, girls were sending their phone numbers in semiphore. One guy wrote down numbers, but Crocker never saw him

again. After going home once on leave, his squadron was stationed in California until March when he was finally discharged.

After returning home, Crocker attended graduation of his class at College of Emporia, only to be surprised when professors during the ceremony passed word that he was in the audience. Everyone threw their arms around him after the ceremony when he finally learned that his name was inscribed on a dummy plaque for students who had been killed during the war. This plaque was to be done in bronze. It seems that another student with the name George Crawford had died, and Crocker’s name had been mistaken for his.

The correction was made!

Crocker believes that the dropping of the atomic bomb saved his life. The way the Navy was losing aircraft, and the probability that his squadron would next have been sent to Vladivostok in Russia to bomb Japan has convinced him that President Truman made the correct choice. He is certain that those who were not part of the warfare in the Pacific have no concept of the conditions and the atrocities that were going to be committed. Dropping the atomic bomb was the right thing to do, he asserted.

Following the war, Crocker returned to

November 5 and 6, 2016

C. of E. and finished his undergraduate degree. He taught for a while in Olpe before going to the University of Denver to get his master’s degree in dramatic arts. He worked in a variety of theatre venues and eventually taught at College of Emporia heading up the Art and Drama Department.

Later for about twenty years he worked in Hollywood and did some writing before returning to Emporia for retirement.

Crocker has written a beautiful account of his experiences in the Navy almost as if he was writing a screen play for a movie.

This account was submitted along with his sponsorship for a banner to be hung on Veterans Day. He firmly believes the war had a tremendous effect on changing his outlook on life. It was a time of maturing, he said.

George Crocker lives here in Emporia, an engaging thoughtful man, still studying World War II and marveling at the effect it had on the lives of all those who participated.

In February 1995, The Emporia Gazette published a series of articles about Crocker and his experiences in the war.

The articles will be available to read at the new Lyon County History Center later this year.

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THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

November 5 and 6, 2016

Page 13

AREA VETERANS Robert Lee Jones, Navy Russell Neal Jones, Army Terry Lee Jones, Army Wayne E. Jones, Army Wesley C. Jones, Army William Elliott Jones, Navy William Jones, Navy Thomas W. Jones, Navy Leonard John Jurgens, Army Richard Eugene Kaniper, Army Gerald Lee Karr, Army Dennis Dean Kasten, Navy Charles Richard Kater, Marines Clarence Karl Kayser, Navy Frank Elmer Keating, Army Arthur S. Kehres, Army Roger W. Keller, Army Jerry G. Kelley, Marines Loretta B. Kelley, Army Douglas Lee Kellison, Army Ryan Lee Kellison, Air Force Dennis E. Kelly, Navy Vernon T. Kelly, Army Kenneth E. Kelso, Army

Danny Lyle Kennett, Army Gary Harlan Keys, Navy Francis Anthony Kiene, Navy Robert Gene Kimberlin, Jr., Army James Lee Kinder, Army Carolyn L. King, Navy Duane M. King, Navy James L. King, Army Leo E. King, Navy Leonard L. King, Army Sammy J. King, Army Johnny Joe Kitt, Navy Lyle David Klamm II, Navy Patrick Allen Kluthe, Army Thomas J. Knight, Air Force Glen L. Knuth, Air Force James A. Koch, Army Kenneth D. Koch, Air Force William R. Kochheim, Army Charles Richard Koepke, Air Force Lawrence Herman Korphage, Army

John Korsak, Army Albert Edward Korte, Army Anthony August Korte, Army Francis Xavier Korte, Marines Paul Raymond Korte, Marines Max Donald Krause, Army Don C. Krueger, Air Force Jason Eric Krueger, Marines John William Krueger, Navy Richard Edward Krueger, Army James Joseph Kuhlmann, Army Robert E. Kuhlmann, Army Eldon George Kuhn, Army Walter Ernest Kuhn, Army Wilfred C. Kulhmann, Army H. Fred Kurzen, Army Richard Wayne Kyle, Air Force Thomas A. Kyle, Army David LaLoge, Army Donald Leon Lambert, Marines Gerald Lee Lambert, Navy Robert V. Lambert, Sr., Army Benson W. Lambeth, Air Force Carl E. Lambeth, Air Force

Howard F. Lambeth, Army Robert D. Lambeth, Army KIA J. Frank Landwehr, Navy David Joseph Lane, Army KIA Raymond E. Lane, Navy George P. Langley, Army Air Force Preston P. Langley, Army Weldon Avery Langley, Army KIA William R. Langley, Army Joe J. Lapping, Army Homer L. Latta, Marines Vincent T. Laudick, Army Gerald Lloyd Laurendine, Army Donald D. Law, Army Greg D. Law, Army Reserve Michael Steven Law, Army Wilbur C. Law, Army Air Corps Harvey Lawson, Army Daniel E. Leary, Air Force Deloris Ann Leary, Air Force Everett Lee LeClear, Army Irvin Brad LeClear, Navy & National Guard Irvin Dean LeClear, Navy

Robert Harley Lee, Air Force Barney E. Lehnherr, Navy Seymour Y. Lemeshow, Army Anton “Tony” Hubert Lenninger, Army Maurice M. Lenninger, Army Dennis V. Lewis, Navy & KS Army National Guard James Trevor Lewis, Army Air Force John Harlan Lewis, Army Kenton D. Lewis, Army Myles L. Lewis, Marines William D. Lewis, Navy Dennis W. Linebarger, Army Andrew A. Linn, Navy Ray Otis Linn, Navy John R. Livingston, Navy Walter Junior Lockard, Navy Elwood George Lodle, Army George A. Lodle, Air Force Glenn Albert Lofdahl, Army Jonathan M. Lofgren, Army Ralph Lynn Lofgren, Navy

Melvin A. Long, Army Richard Evans Long, Navy Goldie Ann Loomis, Army Norman Wayne Loomis, Army William Ivan Loomis, Air Force KIA Ambrose Lopez, Marines Edward Lopez, Army I. R. Lopez, Army John Lopez, Army Michael Lopez, Air Force Ray Lopez, Navy & Marines Urban Lopez, Army David E. Lorenz, Marines Thomas L. Lorenz, Air Force Robert K. Lostutter, Sr., Army Frank D. Lowery, Army Nathaniel L. Lowery, Sr., Army Edwin James Lowry, Navy KIA Jack Lowry, Navy Richard Lowry, Navy Robert Lowry, Marines Robert “OB” Lowry, Navy Thomas C. Lowry, Navy

The Emporia City Commissioners, on behalf of the citizens of Emporia, wish to express our gratitude and appreciation to the Veterans, their families and friends who are participating in the All Veteran’s Tribute.

We further wish to recognize the Veterans who are a part of our organization, the City of Emporia, and thank them for their service to our community and our country.

United We Stand

Jesse Brown - Recycling Center

Richard Johnson - Fire Department

Kenny Rodriguez - Police Department

Bonquay Bryant - Police Department

Eric Law - Police Department

Kelley Storch - Golf Course

Aaron Clark - Fire Department

Brad Logsdon - Police Department

Michael Sullivan - Solid Waste

Lane Doty - Police Department

Merrill Pederson - Golf Shop

Timothy Wacker - Police Department

Marcial Hernandez - Police Department

Jim Pritchard - Police Department

Jason Webb - Police Department

Steve Howe - Fire Department

Nathan Rankin - Police Department

Gabe Withington - Police Department

THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

Page 14

November 5 and 6, 2016

CHANGING OF THE GUARD Veteran Cleat Buckbee retiring as color guard commander

By John Robinson and Regina Murphy news@emporia.com

For nearly 20 years, Cleat Buckbee has kept the American Legion color guard at attention, honoring veterans at parades, athletic events and funerals around the area.

A veteran himself, serving two years in the Army during the Korean War, Buckbee, a PFC, said he was inspired to join the organization and become color guard commander by former commander Harry Shook. That, and a simple realization.

“Somebody has to do it,” Buckbee said.

“And I thought that’s something I’d like to do.”

But now — just as Shook passed the torch to Buckbee — Buckbee is looking to step down as commander of the color guard. He wants to continue serving, just not as commander.

“I’ve enjoyed doing it,” Buckbee said.

“But I’m not getting any younger — I’m 86 years old.”

Over the decades Buckbee has been Please see Buckbee, Page 15

JOHN ROBINSON/GAZETTE

Cleat Buckbee demonstrates the original design of the American flag during a flag presentation for fourth-grade students at Riverside Elementary Oct. 25.

Linda Markham • Agent linda@tobiasagency.com

620.342.7665 15 E. 12th Ave.• Emporia, KS 66801

November 5 and 6, 2016

BUCKBEE From PAGE 14 a staple in any event where the American Legion color guard makes an appearance.

Football and basketball games, Relay for Life and all manner of parades have featured an appearance from a Buckbee-commanded color guard.

“One thing that been overlooked about him is his dedication to the honor flights,” friend and fellow veteran Ron Whitney said. “He’s been very instrumental in those, working with the LeRoy group, and particularly diligent about getting the World War II vets to Washington, D.C. for quite a few years.”

Jeff Illk, American Legion member, said: “I’ve known Cleat for several years and have worked with him on both the Honor Flight program and the honor guard and he’s been wonderful to work with.

“I’ve learned a lot from that man about the American flag. I thought I knew a lot and he’s taught me more.”

“He’s always in a good mood, always fun to be around,” Whitney said. “He also worked for Longbine Chevrolet for years.

“He kind of heads up our coffee shop

THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

Page 15

at the Legion every morning, a likable guy, certainly an extrovert and fun to be around.”

Cleat and Mary Buckbee have been married 62 years. They have three sons and four grandchildren.

“He is such a dedicated person to this,” Mary Buckbee said. “... honoring his fellow veterans and educating students. His family supports that all the way.”

Something Buckbee also takes pride in is the flag program, which involves educating students in area schools about the history of and respect for the American flag. Buckbee constructed a model for the program, showcasing all 27 revisions to the flag.

“If I got this information when I was in school, then I forgot it,” Buckbee said.

“When I was in school it would have been 48 states but I don’t remember them telling me that.”

He has many partners in this program, which he has presented at 15 schools for 691 students. They are Don Dix, Marvin Gast, Lesley Draper, Budd Stapp, Junior Adams, Dave Welch and Norm Fields.

“Cleat’s been a color guard commander for a more than 15 years out at the AmeriPlease see Buckbee, Page 19

COURTESY PHOTO

Cleat Buckbee, right and a fellow veteran.

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Page 16

November 5 and 6, 2016

AREA VETERANS James E. Lowther, Navy Edward William Luby, Jr., Air Force Douglas Bruce Lumley, Army Reserves Richard S. Lumley, Army Raymond E. Luna, Navy Loyd Vernon Luthi, Army Earl Whitcomb Lyddane, Army John F. Lynn, Army William A. Lynn, Navy Merlyn Dwight Lyon, Army Air Force Luther W. Lyons, Army Air Force Rob Roy MacGregor, Army Robyn K. MacGregor, Coast Guard John Madrigal, Sr., Army Charles L. Magathan, Navy Charles Nelson Magathan, Army Richard James Magathan, Marine Air Corps Earl Franklin Main, Army Edward W. Main, Marines Albert Main, Jr., Navy Frank Anthony Malambri, Jr. , Army Air Force Alvin Edward Maley, Army Delbert G. Maley, Navy Lance Steven Maley, Army Richard Douglas Maley, Army Marion Mann, Navy Vinko Maricevic, Army Fred Anthony Markowitz, Army Air Corps John W. Markowitz, Navy Joseph S. Markowitz, Marines Lamar L. Markowitz, Navy Leo A. Markowitz, Navy Robert Dean Marsh, Army David Joseph Martin, Army

Hilario J. Martinez, Navy Randall Lee Mason, Marines and Army Fredrick Allen Masters, Jr., Army Fredrick Allen Masters, Sr., Navy Vernon Eugene Matson, Navy Warren Frank Matson, Air Corps Charles A McAnarney, Army James A. McAnarney, Army Leonard W McAnarney, Army Harry E McAnarney, Jr., Army Edward Eugene McAntee, Army Air Force Fred Francis McCabe, Navy Kenneth W. McCabe, Army Robert O. McCants, Army Curtis L. McCauley, Air Force Dan Clark McClenny, Navy Air Force Orlan Wayne McCollam, Army Courtney C. McCord, Army Air Force Ovid Neil McCorkle, Marines Francis E. McCormick, Navy Curtis J. McCoy, Army Air Force KIA Earl E. McCoy, Army Gaile G. McCoy, Army George E. McCoy, Sea Bees George G. McCoy, Army Richard E. McCoy, Marine Timothy Joel McCoy, Army Curtis Wayne McCreary, Navy Douglas B. McGaw, Army Dean E. McGee, Navy David Michael McGregor, Army Harvey C. McGuire, Army John L. McGuire, Army Terry L. McIlvain, Army Reserve Donald Eugene McIlvan, Army Gene A. McIntosh, Navy

Mark Allen McKenna, Navy Thomas Henry McKenzie, Navy Sarah Miller McKernan, Army Timothy Paul McLaughlin, Army Glen Olen McMurphey, Army George H. Mechtley, Army Robert L. Mechtley, Army William M. Mechtley, Army David A. Meierhoff, Navy James Arnold Meierhoff, Army Frank D. Meinholdt, Army Adrian Mejia, Air Force Angelo Mejia, Air Force Bonita Lavon Mejia, Air Force National Guard Silverio Mejia, Navy Charles “Chuck” William Melton, National Guard Jimmy Mejia, Army Robert L. Mejia, Navy Dennis A. Mendoza, Army Michael A. Mendoza, Army Clarence John Mercer, Army David J. Mercer, Army Air Force Orville Oren Mercer, Army Air Force Robert Lee Mercer, Navy Edward L. Mercer, Jr., Army Edward Leon Mercer, Sr., Army Darrell Lynn Merry, Air Force Ivo J. Mersmann, Army Donald L. Merwin, Navy Marshal Wilson Merwin, Army Richard Lee Mesecher, Army Air Force Dwight O. Metcalf, Navy George A. Metcalf, Army KIA Gerald Dean Michael, Army Martalie M. Milakovich, Army Reserve Dale Michael Miller, Army

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David Phillip Miller, Navy Earl G. Miller, Army John D. Miller, Navy Owen C. Miller, Navy Robert Paul Miller, Navy Thomas A. Miller, Marines William LeRoy Miller, Army William P. Miller, Navy Delwen H. Miller, Army Airborne Gaylerd E. Miller, Army Galen M. Milsap, Air Force Joe R. Minor, Navy Ashley Bree Mitchell, Army John J. Mitchell, Navy Donald William Mohr, Marines George Monroe, Jr., Army KIA Charles A. Moore, Army Clarence Edward Moore, Army James E. Moore, Army Joseph R. Moore, Army Lewis Junior Moore, Army J. Bentley Moreland, Army William “Bill” Wright Moreland, Army Donald E. Morfitt, Army James B. Morfitt, Navy Leonard E. Morfitt, Jr., Army Leonard C. Morfitt, Sr., Navy John R. Morgan, National Guard & Army Reserve Larry Eugene Morgan, Air Force Herbert Earl Morgan, Sr., Army Norman Hugh Morray, Navy Earl Morray, Jr., Army Bert Raymond Morrill, Army Harold O. Morris, Army Orville E. Morriss, Marine Robert L. Morton, Navy Theodore Morton, Army Robert Allen Mott, Army

Eugene Charles Mounkes, Navy Jim Mounkes, Air Force Scott A. Mouse, Air Force Edward B. Moyer Sr., National Guard James F. Muckenthaler, Army Reserve Keith W. Mull, Army Belinda Christine Munoz, Air Force Gary D. Murphy, Army Richard Alan Murray, Navy Errol Wade Myers, Marines Derry G. Nail, Navy John William Nail, Air Force Steven Willis Neill, Army Don L. Nelson, Navy Frank L. Nelson, Air Force Lee E. Nelson, Army Harvey H. Nelson, Jr., Army Fred S. Neuer, Air Force Frank Earl Newlin, Army James Howard Newlin, Army Thomas Eugene Newlin, Army James “Buzz” L. Newman, Army Air Force KIA George Edward Newton, Army Edward Leroy Nichols, Navy Frank L. Nichols, Navy George Robert Nichols, Marines Ralph Albert Nickel, Army Gene L. Nicklin, Army Air Corps Max Nightingale, Army Delano Nixon, Army Thomas E. Nixon, Army Larry J. Noller, Air Force Alexis J. Nuessen, Army Reserves Edward J. Nuessen, Navy Leslie F. Nuessen, Air Force Marvin J. Nuessen, Navy

Melvin H. Nuessen, Navy Roy L. Nuessen, Army National Guard Stephen L. Nuessen, Army Reserves Thomas E. Null, National Guard Douglas J. Nyman, Army National Guard William M. Obley, Army Tony Edward O’Clair, Navy Cornelius O’Conno , Air Force James Bryan O’Dell, Army Leonard Kenneth O’Dell, Army Milford E. Ogier, Navy Kenneth Rex Ogle, Air Force Arnold Sidney Oliver, Army Jerry Neal Olmsted, Army Stanley Raymond Olson, Army Raymond Ormsby, Army Tony J. Ortega, Marines Joseph E. Orzel, Navy George C. Osborn, Navy Wayne W. Osborn, Air Corps Wayne W. Osborn, Army Eugene M. Otis, Army David W. Owen, Air Force & National Guard Kenneth E. Palmer, Navy Larry L. Palmer, Marines Paul R. Palmer, Navy Vince J. Palmer, Coast Guard Earl Parker, Army Harry Parker, Army Alfred W. Parks, Army George Junior Parks, Air Force Herbert O. Parks, Navy William L. Parks, Army Gale Leonard Parks, Navy Marion D. Parsons, Army Phillip O. Patrick, Army John Charles Patton, Army

November 5 and 6, 2016

THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

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THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

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November 5 and 6, 2016

AREA VETERANS John C. Patton, Army Michael Glenn Patton, Marines Daniel J. Payton, Air Force Melvin E. Pearson, Army Richard A. Pearson, Army Steven E. Pearson, Army Douglas A. Peck, Air Force Eugene Francis Peck, Army Victor Peck, Army Ronald V. Pedigo, Navy Kenneth E. Peery, Navy Keith L. Peres, Navy Elvin D. Perkins, Navy William D. Peters, Army John Edward Peterson, Navy Daniel J. Phelan, Army Frank A. Phillips, Army Ralph W. Phillips, Army Robert M. Phillips, Army Terry M. Phillips, Navy William Francis Phillips, Army James Wesley Pickert, Navy Charles H. Pierce, Army Michael W. Pierce, Army Arthur Lewis Pierson, Army William Delmar Pike, Army Carl Richard Pinkston, Army Jim B. Pitts, Army

Gary L. Poff, Air Force & Army Joseph H. Pond, Air Force Ray E. Ponder, Army John L. Ponting, Army KIA David Verle Pool, National Guard Verle E. Pool, Army Gary Post, Army Leslie G. Potter, Navy Ellen Eileen Powers, Army Norman W. Powers, Army Robert H. Pratt, Army Daniel Louis Prchal, Air Force & Army National Guard Kennith Edward Presley, Army William “Bill” J. Preston, Army Jack Davidson Price, Army Vernon O’Dean Price, Navy Wayne Noble Price, Army Leo Oscar Priddy, Army William Alvin Prior, Army Homer Leroy Pritchard, Army James Andrew Pritchard, Army John Alan Pritchard, Army Robert Glynn Protheroe, Army National Guard Kenneth L. Pursifull, Army Dale L. Putman, Army

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Glen Arthur Richardson, Army James Boyd Richardson, Army Lyle Richardson, WWII KIA William Jack Richardson, Army Alfred Mike Riddle, Army John Allen Rider, Marines Keith Columbus Rider, Navy Thomas D. Rider, Army National Guard Keith C. Rider, Jr., Navy David Andrew Rife, Navy Richard L. Rincon, Army Darrell D. Ringler, Army Lawrence Ringler, Army Frank Riondy, Marines KIA Anita S. Robberson, Army Harold Edward Roberts, Army Lynn M. Roberts, Army National Guard Dwane E. Robinson, Navy Floyd Edward Robinson, Navy Hal Lynn Robinson, Army Jim Dean Robinson, Army John Lionel Robinson, Navy Kenneth Wayne Robinson, Navy Lawrence Leroy Robinson, Army Tyler Duane Robinson, Navy Hector J. Roblez, Army

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THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

November 5 and 6, 2016

Page 19

Honor Our Veterans

Tyson Foods, Inc. extends a special thank you to all our team members who have served or are serving in the military.

BUCKBEE From PAGE 15 can Legion, but his primary goal has been flag presentations to the schools in Lyon County and teach them that,” said friend and fellow veteran Harry Groh. “He enjoys working with the youth and seeing their response to his presentation of the American flag. Certainly, he is going to be missed as a color guard commander.”

Keeping history alive and relevant for a new generation is what Buckbee said he enjoys most about the flag program.

“I enjoy the history of the country,” Buckbee said. “We all came here from foreign countries and all came here through Ellis Island.”

Joshua Vance, a fourth-grade student, at Riverside Elementary, heard from Buckbee during a flag presentation on Oct. 25 and said he didn’t know some of the rules

around displaying the flag.

“I didn’t know that people aren’t able to put American Flags on products and things,” Joshua said.

Ta’Shon Carmichael, a fellow fourthgrade student, said he didn’t know flags could be allowed on parade floats and was impressed by the number of revisions the flag has gone through.

However, it is veteran funerals which Buckbee said has been the most memorable.

“I enjoyed doing the funerals for veterans,” Buckbee said. “Everything goes on pretty good until you blow taps. When you blow taps, people cry — every time.”

While he’s stepping down from the commander role, Buckbee said he hopes to stay active in the color guard and serve for as long as he is able. He is also willing to lend a hand if needed.

“If somebody needs help and wants to use me I’ll do it,” Buckbee said. “But otherwise, I’ll let someone else do it.”

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THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

Page 20

November 5 and 6, 2016

AREA VETERANS Rosanne Rossillon-Moore, Navy Michael Dean Rouse, Navy Roscoe R. Rowlands, Marine Corps Thomas Wayne Rowlands, Army Harley G. Rowley, Air Force Donald Lee Rumford, Army Elbert A. Rumford, Navy Jerry Michael Runkle, Navy Ronald Dean Russell, Army Warren Russell, Navy Willis Clayton Russell, Army Richard Dean Rust, Air Force Gary L. Sadowski, Navy Donald Eugene Sanders, Army Air Corps Norton Winston Sanders, Air Force Philip Sanders, Air Force William F. Sanders, Army

John O. Sanderson, Army Bill D. Saueressig, Navy Merle Lee Sayre, Army Jake Ryan Schaefer, Army Airborne Ellis William Scharenberg, Army George Carl Scharenberg, Army Kenneth J. Schartz, Army Ralph William Schemm, Army Air Corps Clarence C. Scheve, Army Frederick J. Scheve, Army Glen J. Scheve, Air Force Vincent B. Scheve, Army Dennis Dean Schiesser, Army Donald E. Schiesser, Army Air Corps & Kansas National Guard Darci Ann Schindler, Army Reserve

Belinda Sue Schlesener, Air Force Martin August Schlesener, Jr., Navy Theodore Earl Schlup, Navy Walter Dale Schlup, Navy Darrell Albert Schmidt, Army Glen Ray Schmidt, Marines Melvin Kenneth Schmidt, Army Michael L. Schmidt, Air Force & Reserves Robert P. Schmidt, Navy Melvin Kenneth Schmidt, Jr., Air Force Lawrence George Schmitz, Navy Norman E. Schnakenberg, Army Russell F. Schoenberger, Army Fred R. Schoenborn, Air Force Jackie L. Schrader, Navy Charles C. Schreck, Sr., Army

Brenton Eugene Schrock, Air Force Christian Allen Schrock, Air Force Bill H. Schulte, Navy Charles E. Schultz, Navy Joseph M. Schulze, Army Bill H. Scofield, Army & Air Corps Larry Scoggin, Army John R. Scott, Army Larry N. Scott, Army Earl R. Seastrom, Army Armand Seguin, Coast Guard Lyman Lewis Selby, Army N. LeRoy Selby, Army National Guard William Edward Sellers, Army & Air Corps Frederick N. Senn, Army

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THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

November 5 and 6, 2016

Page 21

AREA VETERANS Matthew D. Slater, Army Ronald L. Slaymaker, Army Everet James Sleisher, Army Robert Sloan, Marines Frank Blair Sloat, Marines Donald E. Smith, Army Joseph M. Smith, Army Lloyd D. Smith, Army Mark A. Smith, Navy Marland Smith, Army Paul W. Smith, Navy Robert W. Smith, Air Force Ron D. Smith, Army Ronald Joseph Smith, Air Force Warren R. Smith, Marines William B. Smith, Navy William Earl Smith, Jr., Navy William H. Snyder, Army Air Corps Charles W. Sobke, Army Tom Soetaert, Marines John R. Soetebier, Army Stanley O. Sommers, Army Grayson M. Spade, Army Ned L. Sparks, Army Ronald E. Sparks, Army Reserve Justin R. Specht, Army Junior M. Spellman, Marines James E. Spence, Army Harold F. Spencer, Navy Jesse L. Spencer, Army Will W. Spencer, Air Force Edward Raymond Spielbusch, Marines Robert Lee Stack, Navy Donald Leroy Stair, Marines Bud B. Stanley, Marines John N. Stapp, Air Force Richard G. Stapp, Army Joe Eugene States, Army Air Force

Richard L. Stauffer, Army Robert Lee Stauffer, Air Force Allen Dale Stead, Air Force Kevin H. Steele, Marines Forrest A. Steeves, Navy Gilbert Leon Stefan, Army Gerald Eugene Steffes, Army Conrad P. Steinel, Navy Rudy Edward Steinkuhler, Navy Andrew W.A. Stevenson, Air Force Brian P. Stevenson, Army Chiron “Bud” Jr. Stevenson, Army KIA Delbert F. Stevenson, Army Francis L. Stevenson, Navy Chris Lee Stewart, Army Clifford Eldon Stewart, Army Max R. Stewart, Army Air Corps Bill Stiner, Army Larry Edward Stock, Air Force Gerald E. Stockton, Air Force Gerald M. Stockton, Army Kevin L. Stockton, Army Larry D. Stockton, Navy Thomas J. Stockton, Navy James Christian Stolfus, Army Lee R. Stolfus, Army William Arthur Stolfus, Army Lloyd A. Stone, Army Francis Gene Storrer, Army Jerry Leon Storrer, Air Force Donna Elizabeth (Philabaum) Storrer, Air Force Dennis K. Stotts, Army Dennis W. Stout, Marines Charles Frederick Stubbs, Navy James A. Stubenhofer, Army George C. Stuck, Navy Arlen S. Stueve, Marines Clayton Stultz, Navy

Carl Stutesman, Marines Roy L. Stutesman, Navy Air Corps Kenneth L. Suchy, Army National Guard Dwight E. Suddock, Air Force A. Ray Summa, Army Richard A. Summa, Navy Dana P Summers, Navy Paul E. Sweetman, Air Force Robert K. Sweetman, Air Force Charles F. Swint, Army Floyd L. Switzer, Air Force Robert N. Symmonds, Army Donnie J. Tabares, Army Edward Tabares, Army Frank Tabares, Navy James Tabares, Air Force Tony J. Tabares, Air Force Paul Lane Taber, Navy Roy Eugene Taber, Army Roger Lee Talkington, Army Arthur Eli Tally, Army Wilbur L. Tarrant, Army Warren Tatman, Army Charles Edwin Taylor, Navy George Edward Taylor, Navy James W. Taylor, Army Rex E. Taylor, Army Robert C. Taylor, Navy Robert Kerry Taylor, Navy Rodney C. Taylor, Army Daniel F. Tebbetts, Army Carl Terp, Navy Ronald Edward Thill, Army Thomas Edward Tholen, Army Aletha Pearl Thomas, Army James M. Thomas, Army Justin C. Thomas, Army Keith A Thomas, Navy LeRoy Edward Thomas, Air Force

Marc A. Thomas, Army Terry Lee Thomas, Army Warren W. Thomas, Army Wayne Thomas, Army William Howard Thomas, Army Kenneth B. Thomas Sr., Army Kenneth B. Thomas, Jr., Army Harold K. Thomson, Navy Herbert Ross Tietz, Navy Wendell Walter Tietz, Army William Kenneth Timbrook, Army Grant F. Timmerman, Marines KIA Kenneth M. Timmerman, Marines Robert D. Timmerman, Army Lawrence Dale Timmons, Navy Eric Jon Tincher, National Guard George Edward Tobin, Army James J. Tobin, Army David Junior Torrens, Army John David Torrens, Air Force Leonard R. Torrens, Air Force

Marion Francis Torrens, Navy Fulgence C. Torres, Navy Guadalupe Perez Torres, Air Force Lupe P. Torres, Air Force Arnold Alexander Toso, Army Richard Dennis Traw, Navy Robert Wayne Traw, Army Steven Paul Traw, Air Force Harold D. Trayer, Army John M. Trear, Army Steven Trowbridge, Army Jerry F. Trowbridge, Army Lowell E. Trowbridge Army Air Corps Garry Ray Tucker, Army Lee Everett Tucker, Army Harry LeRoy Turner, Navy Terry Dale Turner, Army Richard C. Turpin, Navy Larry E. Tuxhorn, Navy Carl Eugene Unruh, Air Force Frank E. Unruh, Army Howard Lyle Unruh, Marines

Richard Lee Unruh, Air Force Llyod Ashford Utley Jr., Navy Lowell Allen Uttinger, Navy Wallace LeRoy Uttinger, Army Air Force Melvin Carl Vahsholtz, Army KIA Milton Edward Vahsholtz, Army Lawrence D. Valburg, Army Myron L. VanGundy, Army Wayne W. VanGundy, Air Force Jay Wesley VanderVelde, Army John Jacob VanderVelde, Air Force Stanley L. VanderVelde, Army Medical Corps Doris Junior VanSickle, Air Force Edwin Lee VanSickle, Army James Maurice VanSickle, Army Air Corps Loy Thomas VanSickle, Navy Raymond Lee VanSickle, Air Force Donald Gary VanSyoc, Navy

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THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

Page 22

November 5 and 6, 2016

AREA VETERANS Edward L. VanVickle, Army James H. Vaughn, Navy Harry Carl Veatch, Army Dan Thomas Vehige, Marines Albert F. Verlin, Army Bobby D. Verlin, Navy Edward F. Verlin, Army Gary J. Verlin, Army Gerald F. Verlin, Navy Lonnie E. Verlin, Air Force Donald E. Voorhees, Army Mike G. Voorhees, Army Walter Voorhees, Army KIA William H. Voorhees, Army Brent Wade, Army Bryan E. Wagner, Air Force Cleo Craig Wagner, Army Air Corps Douglas E. Wagner, Army Earl E. Wagner, Navy James E. Wagner, Air Corps Leland J. Wagner, Air Force Ronald E. Wagner, Navy Wayne F. Wagner, Air Force William F. Wagner, Army

Joseph Allen Waidley, Navy Kenneth Dale Walburn, Army Eugene H. Walker, Army William H. Walker, Air Force Kerry L. Wallace, Army Ralph C. Wallace, Army Robert Eugene Wallace, Navy Albert Frank Walters, Marines Arnold Martin Walters, Army George K. Walters, Navy Herman William Walters, Army Herbert Robert Waltz, Marines Donald C. Wamser, Army Preston E. Wamser, Marines Bill Warren, Navy James L. Warren, Navy KIA Russel Warren, Navy Myron “Mick” Walter Watson, Army Richard Lee Watson, Navy Charles William Wayman, Army Nane M. Weaver, Marines Richard “Dick” L. Weaver, Army Air Corps Charles E. Webb, Army

Jason Arthur Webb, Navy & Army National Guard Timothy Lee Webb, Air Force Francis John Wecker, Army Glen F. Wecker, Army Leo Joseph Wecker, Navy Charles Calvin Weidner, Marines Francis G. Weigand, Army Fred Dean Weimer, Navy Frederick J. Weller, Army Air Corps Lela Grace Weller, Women Army Corps Leslie Samuel Weller, Navy Terry James Weller, Air Force William F. Weller, Army Frank Wellnitz, Army Hal P. Wells, Army Cindy Allison Weltha, Air Force Delbert Nicholas Wendling, Army Joseph J. Wendling, Army David Allen Wente, Army Leonard Lee Werner, Navy Donald L. Wessel, Army Gaylord Eugene West, Marines Scott Caleb West, Marines

Willard Wallace West, National Guard Gary Leon West, Marines Frederick H. Whitaker, Army Air Corps James F. Whitaker, Army Wayne Wade Whitaker, Army Air Corps Gerald E. White, Army Glenn Franklin White, Marines KIA Lewis Edward White, Army Wilbur Robert White, Army Ronald E. Whitney, Army Jacob E. Whittington, Navy James Louis Whittington, Navy Louis Benjamin Whittington, Navy Richard Eugene Whittington, Navy Rodney Lee Whittington, Navy Ben F. Whittredge, Navy Leonard Wilhite, Navy Fred L. Wilhoite, Jr., Army Johnnie E. Willard, Army William Willard, Navy

Donald Lewis Williams, National Guard & Army Larry Williams, Marines Steven Joseph Williams, Air Force Adrian Williams, Jr., Navy KIA Rex Aaron Williams, Sr. Air Force Duane A. Williamson, Navy Randall D. Williamson, Army Gene E. Wilson, Navy Newton “Buzz” Fred Wilson, Army Owen B. Wilson, Army Richard Tom Wilson, Army Robert Wayne Wilson, Army Carl W. Windsor, Navy David D. Winkler, Army Thomas Lee Winterbower, National Guard Ellis Rex Wise, Army Gerald L. Witten, Air Force Harlan L. Wolf, Army William W. Wood, Navy Billie Wayne Woodruff, Coast Guard Jack C. Wooton, Army Estle Orville Worcester, Navy

Ronald Dean Worcester, Army Reserve Leland C. Workman, Navy Richard Warren Wright, Army Howard Wullschleger, Army George W. Wyatt, Army Leonard L. Wygle, Army Ralph William Wygle, Army Robert E. Yevak, Army Wilbert Franklin Young, Army Benjamin L. Youngblood, Army Reserve Jerry Younger, Navy Ronald Lee Youniacutt, Army Jewell Theodore Zeigler, Army Lowen “Bud” Zeiner, Air Force KIA Albert Frank Ziesmer, Army John Joseph Zimmerman, Army William Harrison Zimmerman, Army Walter Albert Zumbrum, Army Air Force

ESU Marching Hornets salute veterans T

he Emporia State University Marching Hornets delivered a Veterans Day Tribute half-time show during the game against Fort Hays State in Welch stadium Oct. 29. The band formed symbols for each branch of service as they played a medley of military anthems, asking veterans and active service members of those branches to stand and be recognized. The color guard performed with red, white and blue flags as well. Right, Senior Airman E-4 Grant Saylor-Perkins, of the Air National Guard, was one of the Marching Hornet Field Commanders leading the band in the Veterans Tribute half-time show.

P H O T O S

B Y

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M U R P H Y / G A Z E T T E

THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

November 5 and 6, 2016

Page 23

ALBERTA BRINKMAN AND EMPORIA’S FIRST VETERANS DAY

By Jan Huston

Special to The Gazette

“It was an overcast day, and the horses were foxy,” she recalled with a smile.

She is Alberta Brinkman who may be the only adult still living who participated in that very first Veterans Day parade celebrated back on Nov. 11, 1953.

A widow of four years, Alberta Stolfus Reed and her children had recently moved from the farm to Emporia. She had never ridden horseback in town before, but on this day she and Mr. Wagers (or Wagner, she can’t remember which), were following ET Anderson. As the parade marshal, he led the parade while carrying the American flag. Next, she and Mr. Wagers followed on his matching palominos with their matching harness and bridles, carrying the Emporia banner.

Behind them were many others on horseback, some of them members of the Eagle Creek Saddle Club. Mrs. Wagers had lent Alberta her matching dappled palomino for the parade. Vernon and Ruth Lewis rode along waving to the people who lined the streets waving their flags.

Mr. Lewis literally melted in the saddle, an unlit cigar chomped in his mouth. The Wheats from Allen and Elmaleda and BLD McMinn joined the riders.

Joe Lenigan led the city band playing patriotic music followed by buggies and antique horse-drawn farming implements. Children trotted along on their ponies or rode bikes.

Most of the businesses and all of the school had closed for the day to celebrate our veterans.

Alberta herself wore her fancy riding habit of a turquoise leather-trimmed fringed jacket, matching slacks and yellow leather cowboy boots from Jim Bell’s in Cottonwood Falls.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LYON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Atop her head she wore a white Stetson cowboy hat.

From the reviewing stand, Governor Edward F. Arn watched the parade with appreciation and was heard to exclaim, “This is a wonderful thing. It should be done in every city of the nation.”

The next year, it was. Thanks to U.S. Representative Ed Rees of Emporia, the idea of a national Veterans Day was taken to Congress.

The idea had originated with Alvin J. King, an Emporia shoe man, whose nephew John E. Cooper had died in action during World War II. King looked for ways to honor all veterans who fought in wars, keeping America free.

He enlisted the interest of the Emporia’s American Legion, members of Emporia’s Company B, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Am-

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Vets and War Dads units to encourage Rep. Rees to take the idea to Washington, D.C. After the bill passed the House and Senate, Emporia dignitaries were invited to attend the signing of the bill.

Mr. King didn’t have a suit to wear to the signing, so the members of Company B bought him one. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill inviting the rest of the nation to celebrate its first Veterans Day in 1954.

However, Emporia was first. Following the parade in 1953, which began at 10:30, civildefense sirens, church bells, and power plant whistles rang out, timed to acknowledge the signing of the World War I armistice at 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

After the bells and whistles, the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps stood at the

intersection of Sixth Avenue and Commercial Street to play “Taps,” echoed by the Kansas City AmVets Drum and Bugle Corps.

Soon folks evacuated the streets to go to the basement of the Civic Auditorium where a free lunch was served: hot dogs, beans and coffee.

Later in the day a town team played the Rolling Pioneers of Kansas City in a rollicking game of wheelchair basketball. Malcom Smith of Lowther Junior High; Carl Haney, Jerry Waugh and Gene Ridenour of the Emporia High School staff; Leslie Hayes of The Gazette staff; Keith Caywood of the teachers’ college; and Tom McGahey of Olpe High School made up the town team.

That evening the drive-in theatre west on Highway 50 showed a free movie, and a dance closed out the day.

By 1954, cities all over the nation celebrated Veterans Day. As Rep. Rees explained, “Memorial Day honors our dead; Veterans Day honors both living and dead. The purpose of the law is to honor veterans but in the days to come I hope it will bring to the American people an even greater appreciation of their dedication to our freedom.”

For Alberta, this first Veterans Day parade was a wonderful memory. As time marched on, she increased her interests in a myriad of activities. Although her husband had died in a tragic airplane crash in 1949, she continued to be active in Kansas Flying Farmers, as he had been. Eventually, she represented both the state and then the nation as the Flying Farmers Queen.

After marrying J. Jerome Brinkman in the late 50’s, she shared in his interests in architecture, art, veterans affairs, and politics. Mr. Brinkman was a Lt. Col. in the U.S. Navy, Please see Brinkman, Page 25

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THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

Page 24

November 5 and 6, 2016

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THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

Page 25

BRINKMAN From PAGE 23

COURTESY PHOTO

At the end of the 36-day Battle of Iwo Jima, 6,821 Americans were killed and over 19,000 were wounded.

JOE CROCKER’S ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF IWO JIMA

Provided by Jan Huston Special to The Gazette

Navy Air Pacific Theatre Squadron VPB-106 M o v i e S h o w n n e a r I wo Ji m a Battle:March, 1945 “Darkness came early on Iwo Jima this night, accompanied by a thin blanket of fog that covered the island. I stepped out of our four-man tent into the fog, when I observed two figures, partially visible, moving toward me.

“When closer, I realized, they were marines. Normally after dark, no one walked far from their tents. As they came closer, one marine, in a friendly manner, called out: ‘Hey, Airedale, Wanta see a movie?’

He had noticed my fur-collared flight jacket. ‘Airedale,’ being a rather derogative name for navy airmen, often uttered by marines (when stateside), with a touch of sarcasm plus slight envy.

“The reason? Flight pay! No extra pay for serving one’s country at ground

level. ‘You kidding?’ I asked. Nope, they weren’t. ‘Get your buddies, and come along, we’ll wait a minute for ya.’

“I told the other ‘Airedales’ of our good fortune to see a movie. At first, they didn’t believe me. But soon we were following our two marines, when suddenly, a star shell exploded, lighting the night sky and penetrating the fog, then machine gun and rifle fire spoke with authority.

“But this was insane! Showing a movie, when over the ridges to the North, marines are pinned down in bomb craters, while the enemy is heaving grenades their way. However; the movies made sense. It was a great way for marines, back from the fighting, to get their thoughts away from the bloody battle.

“We came over a knoll and in a hollow area, there it was — a bright movie screen, medium sized, a shaft of light from the projector cut through the fog, and there he was — Mr. Charles Boyer — Please see Iwo Jima, Page 27

having graduated as a 90-day wonder in the height of the war.

By the 1980s, she was elected president of the Kansas Day Club, a group for women who had not in early years been able to attend Kansas Days activities, so they formed their own group and studied some aspect of history each year. In 1988 she was invited to attend a White House reception for 150 “leading women supporters of the Republican Party” with Nancy Reagan as hostess.

She also was a delegate to the Republican National Convention that year where she attended a Barbara Bush brunch and presented $30,000 from the National Federation of Republican Women to Mrs. Bush’s literary campaign. She and her husband attended President Bush’s inauguration, visiting a reception at the French embassy as part of the festivities.

Alberta Brinkman continues to be very active in local events, always on the lookout for interesting speakers and worthy programs. Throughout her years in Emporia, she has always been involved in the Lyon County Historical Society. As co-chairman of the Bicentennial Commission in 1976, she was the prime mover as Associate Editor in

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LYON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Emporian Alberta Brinkman riding a palomino in the first-ever Veterans Day Parade, held in Emporia Nov. 11 of 1953. the writing of “Our Land, a History of Lyon County Kansas.” She recently encouraged the re-publication of this important resource for Lyon County history.

Born in 1920, Brinkman has only recently moved to Presbyterian Manor, a willing move after fracturing her foot. Her energetic, engaging and purposeful approach to life has served her well.

Veterans, We Salute You We are veterans serving veterans! Veterans are always welcome to join us in our lounge for a great time of camaraderie.

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THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

Page 26

November 5 and 6, 2016

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THE EMPORIA GAZETTE

November 5 and 6, 2016

Page 27

IWO JIMA From PAGE 25 that famous hollywood star.

“But was anyone watching his acting?

No one was in sight. Then as I peered through the haze and shaft of light from the projector, I saw numerous, small humps, like rounded ant hills scattered about the ground in front of the screen.

They were marine helmets, like the ones we were wearing.

“So we did what the marines had done. We made like we were at the beach and with feet and helmets dug a hollow in the volcanic ash. I swizzled my body around until I had made a comfortable contour with my arms and helmeted head above ground. The night was cool, yet being buried in the warm volcanic ash, I was very comfortable.

“I never learned the title of the movies, even though, they made up a trilogy, each film starring the suave, Charles Boyer.

“Unfortunately, I don’t recall the names of his leading ladies, made woozy by this suave Frenchman’s romantic charms — in the early morning hours, we’ll be airborne, a mission to the coastal waters of Kyushu, Japan — to attack enemy shipping — the moves will be only a memory....”

VVV IWO JIMA Invasion, February, 1945 Radio, Radar Operator and Top Turrett Gunner Crew, One Patrol and Bombing Squadron VBP-106 Pacific Theater: “February 19, 1945, before dawn we were airborne, having departed the island of Tinian from the Mariana’s Islands, heading north to Iwo Jima. Our mission, to fly coverage for the US invasion of Iwo Jima. Our specific mission was to then fly northward toward Tokyo to intercept two squadrons of enemy bombers and Zeke fighters, flown by kamikaze pilots,

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The USS Saratoga was severely damaged by Japanese bombardment in the Battle of Iwo Jima. believed by naval intelligence to be flying south to attack our invasion forces at Iwo. “The weather and sea conditions were relatively calm near Iwo Jima. But, this would change as we flew north ward.

Soon we were flying through broken patches of ugly, wintry gray clouds. The pacific, too, changed. Now, the ocean appeared a slate-gray, it looked cold and confused, choppy waves, slanting, tossing whitecaps into the wind to become spume and spoon drift.

“Our four- engine, heavily-armed bomber, a navy PB4Y-2, called the Privateer, was soon fighting head-winds, the wings testing the designed max for flexibility, seemingly waving us a final farewell. This far north, we should have

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made radar contact with the enemy squadrons. We had flown to the navigational point of our return.

“That point, designated on our navigational chart as: Lots’ Wife. It wasn’t white nor made of salt, rather a black tone, vertical formation, rising a hundred or more feet above the ocean’s waves, and being plummeted mercilessly by huge formidable breakers. We circled this strange stone pinnacle that appeared much like a massive whale standing on it’s tail fending perpetual breakers.

“We selected a new compass heading, a return course to Iwo Jima. In doing so, each one in our eleven man crew harbored mixed emotions, disappointed we hadn’t fulfilled our mission, making visual or radar contact with the enemy,

and having transmitted that intelligence back to Iwo Jima to the US Naval Command. And yet, we felt slightly relieved that we hadn’t made that contact. The odds of our being shot down favored the kamikazes. A deep watery grave in that cold northern ocean, would likely have been our fate.

“Days later, back at our home base on Tinian Island. We learned that unsuitable weather had prevented the enemy from attacking our invasion that first day.

They hit our forces two days later.

“In late afternoon, near sun-down, fifty kamikaze pilots, flying Zeke fighters, and Betty bombers swept in low to attack our fleet.

“Their flight had been spotted on radar much earlier; however, the planes were mistakenly thought to be US aircraft in that area. A few carrier fighters were launched to investigate. The incoming aircraft were identified as “bogeys.” Two were shot down. Other enemy fighters found their “honorable death.” Most were sent flaming from the sky, but two found their target, killing hundreds of airmen and sailors.

“The carrier Saratoga was hit and put out of action for the rest of the war. Her casualties: 123 killed, 192 wounded. The carrier Bismarck was sunk — the number killed or wounded was 717. Total killed or wounded on both aircraft carriers was: 1032, airmen, sailors and marines.

“With the passing of decades, I still ponder this question: Had their Kamikazes attack occurred on February 19, and we had located their position far from Iwo Jima, and transmitted the enemy’s location back to our US Naval Command, would lives have been saved?

“And what about our situation? With certainty, the enemy would have spotted our plane on their radar, and being out-numbered and out-gunned, what chance would a lone US Navy bomber have against fifty Zeke fighters? We can rightly assume — we wouldn’t have survived.”

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