U.S. Army veteran Lenora R. Stump of Warsaw is the August Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month. She was recognized at the Kosciusko County Commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 2. From left: Kosciusko County Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell, Commissioners’ Vice President Brad Jackson, Stump, Commissioner Bob Conley and Commissioners’ President Cary Groninger. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — U.S. Army veteran Lenora R. Stump of Warsaw is the August Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month.

Stump was recognized at the Kosciusko County Commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 2. She’s the fourth female veteran to receive the designation.

Kosciusko County Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell presented her with a certificate and read biographical information on her, including the following.

Stump was born on April 7, 1935, to Emery and Violet Murphy, just south of Atwood. She graduated with the Class of 1953 from Atwood High School.

On Jan. 28, 1955, Stump joined the Army and headed to Indianapolis, before doing basic training at Fort McClellan in Alabama. She then went to quartermaster school at Fort Lee in Virginia.

Stump first worked at the Pentagon in the office of the commissary. She extended her enlistment to go to Germany.

She was stationed at the Army base in Heidelberg, Germany, as a supply clerk and lived in the Patton Barracks. While there, she met fellow soldier Robert Woodard.

They married on Nov. 13, 1956, at the German Consulate. Stump reenlisted again after their marriage.

On July 25, 1957, Stump was honorably discharged from the Army after becoming pregnant with the couple’s first child. She lived in Germany until spring 1958 as a dependent.

Stump then moved back to Kosciusko County. She eventually met Robert Stump, and the two married in 1962.

She first became involved with the American Legion in 1998 at the Menzie-Reece American Legion Post 258 in Pierceton. She was auxiliary president there.

Stump later transferred to American Legion Post 49 in Warsaw, where she served as commander from 2005-06. She also is a VFW James W. Sittler Post 1126 of Warsaw life member.

“I’m speechless,” said Stump after being honored. “I’m very appreciative of it and thank everyone for being here for this day. And I love all of you.”

Her two grandsons attended the recognition.