May 25, 1978
Picture #1 – A place for ideas – President Lincoln made only one visit to Gettysburg to deliver his famous address. The house of David Wills, where Lincoln stayed, was also the location where he composed his speech. And Wills, a lawyer, is credited with initiating plans for a National Cemetery and through his efforts it was accomplished.
Memorial Day is a time each May when this nation remembers those who have died in the armed forces. It is also the time when patriotic organizations pay tribute to those men who gave their lives for their country in the various wars in which they participated.
Time was…many years ago…that Memorial Day was an important day in Fostoria…as it was across our land. Because, all America remembered that the wars in which we participated were fought to establish and preserve justice and freedom.
The American Revolutionary War gave this country birth; the Civil war preserved it. World War I stopped the enslavement of the continent of Europe…with the prospect of it spreading to our shores. World War II was a repeat performance on a much greater scale. And, so, each war has had a justifiable reason for this nation’s participation.
Since the, this country has been faced with actual conflict, or cold war, to stop the further enslavement of peoples…and establish human rights in many parts of the world…primarily because of the communist threat, as it has spread world-wide.
In each instance Americans have heeded the “call of arms” to either preserve our country, or help establish justice. At times it appears that they may have fought in vain…but we know that they had not, the peace and freedom we know would have vanished long ago. It is the old story of the fight of good against evil.
As each Memorial Day has year after year…it has become more difficult to keep the spirit or the day alive. The program has been difficult to organize …the parade has shrunk in size, along with the public’s attendance. And with this downward trend there is always the fear that Americans may gradually be losing their patriotic spirit…their love of freedom, justice and peace. When those essential characteristics are gone this country becomes an easy target for enemies beyond our shores…or those within, who await the opportunity to strike. factually, those conditions do exist on every hand.
As Memorial Day 1978 approaches let there be a new awakening. Let there be a new birth of the spirit of freedom. Remember Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address and his admonition…”it is rather for us to here dedicated to the great task remaining before us…that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion…that we were highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom… and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth”.
There are many ways to show love for freedom, liberty and justice, but Memorial Day is an occasion when it can be exhibited in a way commensurate with the day. Your editor implores you to observe the day and keep the spirit alive…always.
Remember…that the political trend in official Washington is for unilaterally disarming the United States…that the Soviet Union is now militarily superior…that Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) have not slowed the Soviet military expansion…that SALT II, now being negotiated will legalize and perpetuate Soviet strategic military superiority.
Americans have died for their country, and America has been able to help establish justice and freedom throughout the world by being militarily strong.
Remember…Remember…when you observe Memorial Day…make it a day to remember the past and revitalize for the future
FOSTORIANS WHO DIED IN SERVICE IN WARTIME
SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
Will W. Dale, Rawson J. Kistner
WORLD WAR I
Earl Foust, Basil Cramer, Garner Jenks, Thornton Hill, Charles Retan, James Gray, LeRoy E. Wilson, Ross Cline, Orville Rangler, Joseph R. Ingram, Kent Ewing, Orvil Daum, James Henry, Wilfred N. Lonsway, Floyd D. Ecker, William A. Wilcox, William Clancy, Glenn Clark, Blair Miller, Herman Whitman, Ray Kistner, Clarence Butzier, Carl Crawford
WORLD WAR II
Eugene Daugherty (died on USS Arizona, Dec. 7, 1941), Duward Laney, Arthur R. Wing, Gilbert F. Brendle, Charles W. Mottram, Donald L. Madden, Robert B. Longfellow, Donald M. Keiser, Donald D. Estes, Harold A. Heinze, Joseph E. George, Gerald L. Lamberjack, Anderson F. Drake, Ernest M Eckert, Henry Clay Flores Jr., George A. Falwage, Ralph O. Kwilus, Patrick J. Feehan, Charles E. LeComte, Robert J. Brookover, Donald R. Olin, Robert J. Might, James V. Schroeder, Charles W. Beeler, Robert J. Roller, William M. Mosier, John E. Thomas, Irvin N. Franhart, John Gonyer, Robert A. Carter, Franklin W. Snyder, Andrew Reinhart, Richard Steyer, Paul K. Stulz, Gerald C. Wangler, Francis C. Feasel, Richard A. Sendelback, Gerald Lichtle, Richard T. Leatherman, Charles W. woldman, Charles Rumschlag, Frank C. Sterling, Charles C. Reinhard, Anthony O. Scholidon, William M. Moody, Wayne N. Dennis, Robert B. Clore, Wallace A. Shaver, Edward Sheets, Paul L. Walter, Ray Lancaster, Thomas J. Wonderly, John S. Lindower, George E. Wilson, Fred H. Vosburg, Elmer K. Ritter, Gerald W. Phillips, Fred M. Schaefer, Charles E. Hartranft, Frederick K. Koss, John I. Stultz, Henry E. Larrow, Charles Ayers, Myron J. Zeigman, Howard Russell, George William Alge, Vernon Elchert, Elbert Biddle Jr., Adrian R. Kleinsmith, LeRoy L. Haynes, Stanley E. Minard, Howard Cramer, Edward L. Kinn, James G. Kinsley, Robert H. Niswander, James Edgar, Paul F. Smith, Edward Seebon, Colin Andres, Darrell R. Sickels, (N.B…Mrs. and Mrs. Harry Stultz lost two sons, Paul K. and John I, one in Europe, the other in the Pacific. The bodies were returned after the war and were buried together in Liberty Cemetery).
KOREAN WAR
Emerson L. Reffner, Gerald E. Hammer, John C. Corey, Duane E. Goebel, Harvey F. Saxton, George Shank, Tom Pastorius, Robert L. Hill, David P. Mompher, Paul K. Stahl, (N.B…Fostoria honored the first man killed in the various branches of service, during World War II, by naming the city reservoirs after them…Lake Daugherty, U.S. Navy; Lake Mottram, U.S.M.C.; Lake Lamberjack, ULS Army; Lake Mosier, U.S. Coast Guard; Lake LeComte, ULSL Air Force).
VIETNAM WAR
David E. DeVine, Rober K. Drake, Norman J. Erbland, Gerald L. Gassman, Robt. C. Hampshire, Raymond N. McIntyre, Allan R. Rader, Richard H. Savieo, Larry W. Stull, Larry D. Johnson (Risingsun).