By: Mark Holtsberry
The List
In 1989 my uncle, Ray Keck, published a book titled, “Veterans Book”. He had many hours logged in locating veterans from Paulding County who had served in the military. At that time he had listed 1993 World War Two Veterans from Paulding County. But knowing him, he thought he may have missed someone, now I know where I get this unturned stone idea from.
In 1994, Ray revised the book and sure enough, he added the number of World War Two Veterans to 2015. In December of 2013, World War Two Veteran, Gene Scarbrough, initiated a search for surviving World War Two Veterans from our County. Gene reached out to Ray Keck, who in turn reached out to Stanley Jordan for his advice. All three were spaced around the county, such as Gene from Grover Hill, Ray from Paulding and Stanley from Antwerp. All three went to work, phone calls, visits with relatives, library search, Veteran Services, tireless effort to locate the remaining few.
All in all 45 were still living as of January 2014. One by one these remaining veterans started to pass away. In midsummer 2015, my uncle Ray developed C.O.P.D. He tried to tell me everything he knew, as he would say, “before my mind goes bad”, it never did. In January of 2016, Ray gave me the “master list” of World War Two Veterans still living, the count was down to 24. He thanked me for my research on veterans, because he said he just did not have the time. He told me he was proud of me and that he would see me later, “partner”. On February 17, 2016, a day before my birthday, Ray E. Keck passed away.
I found the sense of high regard to see his wish through to the end. On January 13, 2021, it was sad for me to check off the name of Stan Jordan, a man who I had grown to respect and admire. Like everyone else I had grown to know, I ran out of time to pick their memory. Our county has lost three World War Two Veterans this year. Richard R. Harris, Marine Corp Veteran, July 10, 2022, Gene Scarbrough Navy Veteran, July 26, 2022 and Othal M. Carnahan, Navy Veteran, August 8, 2022.
Our County has three surviving World War Two Veterans left. Glen Ray Klingler Navy Veteran, George Lee Forrest, Army Air Force Veteran and Alfred Joseph Daeger, Navy Veteran.
I just saw an article on Mr. Daeger, he is back in Antwerp! I guess I need to pay him a visit, and pick his brain. What will I do with the list when the names are all crossed off, keep it, future research of course!
…Until Next Time!
