Veterans

HAGERSTOWN-Rose Stevens paused in deep thought as she leaned against the trunk of a tall pine tree at Rose Hill Cemetery. As a soft breeze fluttered the small American flag she was holding, Stevens wondered about the soldiers buried a stone's throw away. Known as Washington Confederate Cemetery, it is the final resting place for more than 2,000 men who fought in the battles of Antietam, South Mountain, Gettysburg and Hagerstown. For the occasional student of the Civil War who ventures into this shaded section of Rose Hill, there are no headstones to conjure up images of those who are buried here.

martinsburg@herald-mail.com After 60 years, 82-year-old World War II veteran Garnett L. Keisecome received his medals for service in the U.S. Navy. At a special ceremony held Wednesday at Eagle School Intermediate, U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., presented the former Machinist First Mate his nine medals and a U.S. flag that had flown in his honor over the U.S. Capitol on May 13. "It's some surprise. I'm so glad I'm here and in pretty good health," Keisecome said.

By DAVE McMILLION / Staff Writer, Charles Town photo: JOE CROCETTA / staff photographer MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - The local Veterans of Foreign Wars post does something special for Martinsburg children every year, but people who are mentally and physically handicapped are often left out, said VFW member Paul Arvin. This year, Arvin and his friends at VFW Post 896 in Martinsburg set out to change that. They went to businesses in town and collected money and merchandise to throw a big Christmas party for the disabled.

julieg@herald-mail.com World War II veteran John Leather said he guessed being one of the grand marshals of Saturday night's 80th annual Alsatia Mummers' Parade would be "all right. " "I'm just like millions of other guys. I went in, did what we had to do and got out," said Leather, 79, of Leitersburg. Doing what Leather had to do included taking over as squad leader during the Battle of the Bulge, said fellow grand marshal and WWII veteran Fred Wishard, 79, of Hagerstown.

It was all about pride Tuesday at the Hagerstown Lions Club salute to veterans, collective pride of country coupled with a personal pride shared by a father and son. Keynote speaker was Lt. Col. Clyde Tate II, who was introduced by his father. "It's a dream come true to be with my family here and be introduced by my father ... with my mother present," Tate said. A self-professed Army brat, he attended Smithsburg High School and played sports in the Hagerstown area before moving away with his family.

charlestown@herald-mail.com Second District congressional candidate Jim Humphreys was in the Eastern Panhandle Thursday to visit with veterans groups and school students. At the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 896 in Martinsburg, W.Va., the Democrat talked to veterans about concerns they had about health care and pensions. The veterans are looking for someone to address the inability of veterans to receive both a pension and disability benefits, Humphreys said. If a veteran is receiving a pension and is also found to be disabled, the veteran cannot receive both of the benefits, Humphreys said.

o Poll results as of 11 a.m. Wednesday: What more can be done to honor America's veterans? Improve health care benefits - 38 votes (11%) Improve educational benefits - 4 votes (1%) Make sure they have support systems - 22 votes (6%) Expand housing and rental assistance programs - 3 votes (1%) All of the above - 263 votes (76%) None of the above - 6 votes (2%) Something else - 12 votes (3%)

WILLIAMSPORT -- Jack Myers spoke with intensity as he recalled being drafted, getting married at 19, and setting sail from New York Harbor to serve in World War II. "It was a unique experience, going to New York City, getting on the ship. It was so crowded I had to sleep on a mess table," Myers said. "I was watching the harbor lights disappear, thinking, 'Will I ever see these lights again? Will I ever see my wife again?'" Myers, 85, of Williamsport, was among more than 40 World War II veterans from across the Tri-State area who were honored during a ceremony Saturday afternoon as part of World War II Weekend in Williamsport.

FUNKSTOWN -- Proud of his military service in the Vietnam War, Bill Osborne also has fond memories of his years living in Funkstown. So at Monday night's Funkstown town meeting, he wondered aloud why his name and the names of more than a dozen other veterans of the Korea and Vietnam wars aren't on the plaque at the town monument. "I represent 15 veterans who grew up in Funkstown and deserve to be on that plaque," Osborne said. Six Korean War veterans and nine who served in Vietnam are eligible for inclusion, he said.

Bill Diehl was already feeling sentimental during Saturday night's Mason-Dixon Barbershop Chorus concert when the chorus paid tribute to the veterans in the audience. Even before Master of Ceremonies Mike Maino asked veterans to stand when they heard their military branch's anthem sung, Diehl had begun his own "Sentimental Journey. " Hearing the chorus sing "Don't Fence Me In" reminded Diehl, 75, of Greencastle, Pa., of when he was flown to England after being released as a prisoner of war in Germany during World War II. "That was the first song I heard," Diehl said.