Syracuse Resident Ken Butt Honored As Veteran Of The Month
By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Ken Butt of Syracuse was honored by Kosciusko County Commissioners as the veteran of the month at the Oct. 13 commissioners meeting.
Butt was born in Goshen on March 15, 1947, to Dale and Decima Butt.
He grew up in Syracuse and graduated from Syracuse High School in 1965.
In March 1968, Butt was drafted into the army. He attended boot camp at Fort Cambell, Ky. and was then sent to Fort Ord, Calif., for advanced infantry training.
From there he was sent to Fort Riley, Kan., with the Big Red 1 for tank trails and testing.
In April 1969, he was transferred to the Co. E 3d Bn 8th Inf. 4th Infantry Division where he was a gunner in the central highlands of Vietnam.
He was promoted to sergeant on Dec. 15, 1969.
Butt received a Bronze Star medal and a Combat Infantryman Badge.
In March 1970, he returned to Fort Lewis, Wash., for an honorable discharge at the rank of Sgt. E5.
On March 10, 1973, he married Sally Jo Hodgson. The couple had three sons: Sean, Tracy and Neil.
Unfortunately, after 38 wonderful years together, Butt lost Sally to MS on July 10, 2012.
He has five granddaughters, one grandson and one great-grandson.
Upon returning home from his military service, he went to work with his father at Wawasee Boat where he stayed for 14 years.
After that, he used his skills repairing boats and motors in the local area, which ended with 15 years at Rinker Boats.
Now retired, he loves to share his passion for racing go-karts with his sons.
“There’s nothing more enjoyable,” Butt said. “I love shaking up the young guys when, at 73 years old, I pass them on my way to the finish line.”