The February Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month is Samuel Ralph Reiff. The U.S. Army veteran was recognized at the Kosciusko County Commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at the Kosciusko County Courthouse’s Old Courtroom. From left: Kosciusko County Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell, Kosciusko County Commissioners’ Vice President Bob Conley, Reiff and Kosciusko County Commissioner Cary Groninger. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Samuel Ralph Reiff is the February Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month.

Reiff, of Warsaw, was recognized at the Kosciusko County Commissioners’ meeting Tuesday, Feb. 14. Kosciusko County Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell presented Reiff with a certificate and read biographical information on him, including the following.

Reiff, the son of Ralph and Lilly Reiff, was born on March 1, 1928, in Pierceton. He worked on his family’s farm with his four siblings and went to Pierceton School.

After school, he farmed and worked at Arnolt Corp. On Oct. 9, 1950, Reiff was drafted into the U.S. Army.

His basic training was at Fort Benning, Georgia. Reiff then went to Frankfurt, Germany and was assigned to a medical company in the 8th Infantry Division known as the Pathfinders. He worked as a combat medic and a driver for the commander of his medical company.

Reiff, who became a corporal, served almost two years before being honorably discharged on Sep. 12, 1952. He returned to Warsaw and the Barbee Lake area, farming again and working at DeGood Tractor Sales, Warsaw.

He married Geraldine Karst, and they raised four children and spent 69 years together before she passed away. They have seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Reiff resides in the Irish Lake area.

He said a few words Tuesday after he received his certificate.

“It was something I really didn’t care about doing, but I’m glad I did,” he said, referring to his military service. “It made a man out of me.”

He also referenced the “pretty nice job” he had transporting the commander around and recalled the ticker tape parade that was held when he shipped out.