The Kosciusko “Spirit of 45” Committee is planning a roll call of all living World War II Veterans in Kosciusko County. The Roll Call, presentation of thanks and group picture will be conducted at 5:45 p.m. First Friday, June 6, at the corner of Buffalo and Center streets and the committee is currently looking for more names of local veterans to be added to the roster.

This date also notes the 70th Anniversary of D-Day when Allied Forces began the largest amphibious assault in history to defeat Nazism in Europe. Allied forces were also fighting Imperialism in the Pacific. A total of 16.1 million Americans served during World War II with 416,800 military deaths according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

According to the National World War II Museum 550 veterans are dying each day with the total living down to approximately 1.2 million.

The Thaddeus Kosciuszko Fellowship, Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association and McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels are sponsoring this event to recognize those still living who served during this great conflict. The following information is requested on each Veteran to be included in the Roll Call: Full name, rank, branch of service and theatre of service (Atlantic, Pacific or Home Front), contact info and if the veteran can attend the presentation on June 6.

 Mail information to: Kosciusko “Spirit of 45” Committee, c/o GWMA, P.O. Box 1797, Warsaw, IN 46581 or e-mail to: [email protected]. A family member or friend may pick up the gift at the ceremony if the Veteran is unable to attend.

The statue “Times Square Kiss” featuring the famous photo of a sailor kissing a nurse on Aug. 14, 1945, when World War II ended on VJ Day, will also be on display, sponsored by McHatton-Sadler. A band from Warsaw Community High School will have a concert following the Roll Call on the courthouse lawn. A web page has been established to list all living World War II veterans who respond at Spirit of ’45 Committee, Kosciusko County, Indiana, USA.

The following names are already on the Roll Call of living Kosciusko County World War II veterans:

ARMY AIR CORPS

Klondaris, Terry L
Kreis, Verle B
Lessig, Donald H, Jr.
Locke, Donald F
Wildman, Rex H

ARMY

Anglin, John "Jack"
Byrer, Dale W
Chilcote, Donald E
Garner, Charles L
Gast, Robert W
Goshert, James E
Haney, George R
Howe, N Bruce
Levin, Howard L
Lewis, Raymond L
Lichtenwalter, Robert "Coach"
Nichols, Donald L
Orcutt, Albert F
Porter, Philip L
Shively, Donald E
Snyder, Roy B
Stookey, Martin E Sr.
Teeple, Wayne E
Waltz, Henry P
Wiggs, M Berniece
Williamson, Arden D
Zorn, Chester S

NAVY

Bertsch, Lewis M
Gadson, Lee F
Grossnickle, Paul D
Higgins, Richard B
Hunter, Bryon G
Koors, Arleen D
McClintic, Bruce D
Moore, Russell J
Nichols, Sally M
Read, David E
Schrock, Dale B
Wiggins, Beecher