Posted courtesy of the Dayton Daily News
by Angela Watson Gay
Friday, February 27, 2009
DAYTON — The message that Tuskegee Airman Leslie Edwards pushed was clear: “If you train them they will perform.” The “they” is anyone, regardless of race or gender.
It was stressed repeatedly to the approximately 75 people who turned out at the Engineers Club of Dayton to see and listen to him.
Edwards credited the 1995 movie “The Tuskegee Airmen” for bringing attention to the airmen and their accomplishments, despite the segregation and overt racism they faced.
Frank Coleman, 34, of Dayton was among those who didn’t know much about the airmen until seeing the movie. He came to Edwards’ talk because it was an opportunity to see a living legend. “It’s something people need to know about,” he said. Coleman called Edwards “inspirational” and marvelled at what he and the airmen were able to overcome and accomplish.
Edwards was part of the Tuskegee Experience, which included people assigned to a unit at Tuskegee Air Field. He served from 1941-1949.
Edwards, despite not having more than a fifth-grade education, became a WWII flight chief at the age of 19. The Cincinnatian said his and other inner-city school systems didn’t train children well for the future. “They trained me to be a dishwasher or a janitor,” he said. Keep reading…
Honorees for the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame are nominated on a year-round basis, and include men and women from Ohio from any branch of the military and all eras of military conflict. After nominations are submitted, a 13-member executive committee of veterans’ representatives recommends the names to the governor for induction into the Hall of Fame.
The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame was established in 1992 to recognize Ohio veterans with honorablemilitary service who have gone on to make significant contributions to their community, profession, state, and nation. In May 2005, the Ohio General Assembly established the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in statue through SB 277, allowing for the Governor’s Office of Veterans Affairs to serve as the administrative agent.
The induction ceremony for the Class of 2008 was held on November 7, 2008.
Below is a list of the 20 Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Inductees for the Class of 2008.
SAMUEL ARNOLD
Butler County - United States Army Veteran – Vietnam War
Arnold is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4369’s board of trustees and provides dentistry to veterans who reside at Joseph House at little to no cost.
PAUL E. BALDRIDGE, JR.
Franklin County - United States Navy Veteran
Baldridge has served in a number of veteran’s organizations including the Navy League of the United States where he has held positions as State President, National Director and Vice President.
OSCAR C. DECKER, JR.
Union County - United States Army Veteran/Army National Guard and Army Reserve - World War II and Vietnam War
Decker organized the Union County Military Family Support Group in 2003 and was awarded the Legion of Honor Award from the Chapel of the Four Chaplains, and the American Legion of Merit.
REBECCA P. EDEN, RN, BSN
Cuyahoga County - United States Army Nurse Corps Veteran – World War II
Eden is a lifetime member of Gold Star Wives and AMVETS. She was presented with the Veterans Affairs Commendation given by the Ohio Veterans Commission for helping veterans pursue educational goals in 1982.
EUGENE F. FITZTHUM
Erie County - United States Army Veteran – World War II
Fitzthum was presented the John L. Smith “AMVET of the Year” Award for all of his volunteer work for AMVETS Post 17 in 2008 and “Volunteer of the Year” from the Ohio Veterans Home in 2006.
NADA R. FLEMING, RN
Cuyahoga County - United States Navy Veteran - Desert Shield/Desert Storm
Fleming is a Past Commander of Seven Hills VFW Post 7609 and was appointed as “National VFW Nurse of the Year” for 2006-2007.
ROBERT D. HAAS
Stark County - United States Army Veteran - Korean War
Haas has served as the Volunteer Liaison Officer for the United States Military Academy, West Point for the past 29 years and is a founding member and past Chapter President of the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association #69.
DALE M. HUFFMAN
Montgomery County - United States Army Veteran
Huffman’s public broadcasting skills have helped to energize veteran advocacy and he was inducted into Dayton’s Walk of Fame on September 25, 2008.
CHARLES IANNI (deceased)
Cuyahoga County - United States Army Veteran - World War II
Ianni was named “Veteran of the Year” by Cuyahoga County and was charter member of the John Towle Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Special Forces Chapter.
JAMES A. JOHNSON
Franklin County - United States Air Force Veteran
Johnson was awarded the A.F.C.R.C. Certificate of Recognition for his contribution, support, and distinguished service to his community, especially in the area of veteran’s affairs in 2007.
JACK M. KENNEDY
Franklin County - United States Navy Veteran - Vietnam War
Kennedy has served in the Navy League of the United States where he held various positions, including Navy League Council President. He is a lifetime member of the Military Officers Association of America.
MARGARET I. KRUCKEMEYER, RN, MSN
Greene County - United States Army Veteran – Vietnam Era
Kruckemeyer is the President of the American Veterans Heritage Commission and is a past National Board Member on the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs Foundation.
SAMUEL E. LANZA
Trumbull County - United States Marine Corps Veteran - World War II
Lanza was appointed to the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission in 1997 and is a Past State Commander for the Disabled American Veterans.
STANLEY C. PACE
Cuyahoga County - United States Air Force Veteran - World War II
Pace has been active in the Boy Scouts of America since 1958 and was awarded the Silver Beaver and the Silver Antelope for his services. He is also active in the United Way of Cleveland and served as Chairman of the Annual United Way Fund Drive.
ELVA M. POUNDERS
Summit County - United States Marine Corps Veteran – Vietnam Era
Pounders is the vice chairperson for the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Women Veterans and was awarded the 500 Hour Award for her volunteer efforts at Brecksville VA Medical Center in 2006.
TONY J. SUSTARSIC
Cuyahoga County - Unites States Army Veteran - World War II
Sustarsic is the founder, past president and lifetime member of Euclid Veterans Club. He is also a fundraiser for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1056 and American Legion Post 343.
WILLIAM H. WILLOUGHBY, Jr.
Lake County - United States Army Veteran - Vietnam War
Willoughby is a United States Military Academy admissions coordinator and serves on the Veteran Issues Committee.
HERMAN ZERGER
Monroe County- United States Army Veteran - World War II Service and a Prisoner of War
Zerger was one of the founding charter members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5303 where he served as Trustee for 40 years. He is an active participant in Ohio Chapter #1 American Ex-Prisoner of War.
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Lancaster, OH native John Martin Vorys led a full life, as you can read from his congressional biography below. The picture on the right - and what Vorys had to be thinking about - sticks with me. I’m sure that day haunted him for his entire life. The description reads:
By way of ohio.com and UPublish comes this story about Beachwood, OH woman who finally got some overdue recognition.
I had no idea about War Dog memorials until I found this bit in Cleveland.com’s online newspaper.
The 83rd Infantry Division Association is a non-profit organization, based in Alton Bay, NH, dedicated to honoring the men who served in the Division during World War II. The organization has 680 members. Known initially as the OHIO Division and later as the Thunderbolt Division, the 83rd Infantry was first deployed in World War I and was deactivated after World War II. The Division’s insignia, a graphic representation of the word O-H-I-O, reflects the home state from where the Division’s original ranks were raised.
The Fieseler Fi 103, better known as