By Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com
For the 24th year in a row, veterans groups from around Crawford County have gathered at the fair to provide dinner and camaraderie for those who have served. The event, tied in with Senior Citizens Day, has served ham and beans every year as a way of paying tribute to the men of World War II, who spent many a night with that meal.
Jeff Gibson began the evening with a ceremony honoring those who count themselves among the POW-MIA. In the corner of the hall a symbolic, empty place was set, to remind us all of those who are still missing, and the hole that leaves in the lives of their loved ones.
“Let us remember, and never forget,” Gibson.
Currently hailing from the VFW Post 3759 out of Carey, Gibson is a Crawford County native and Colonel Crawford graduate. He has given the POW-MIA presentation at 23 of the 24 meals, with his sole absence due to the fact he was in Parris Island watching his cousin graduate the Marine Corps.
He has also give the speech at other places, and counts his total number of presentations to be “at least 50.” Despite his experience with it, he rather seriously commented, “It’s a speech that never gets easy.”
“It gets to a lot of the veterans, but it is something we feel we need to do.”
Former President Abraham Lincoln, aka impersonator John Cooper, made an appearance and said a few words in support of the veterans. Making his first trip to the Crawford County Fair, he mingled and chatted in Lincoln’s trademark, easy-going style. He swapped stories, posed for pictures, and added both serious and social to the night’s gathering.
Bernie Kessler, of the Sons of the American Legion Post 181 in Bucyrus, was chairman of the dinner for the first time, although his involvement with this event goes back 10 years. The meal is free to all veterans, but anyone who wishes to donate sees the money go to benefit the Veterans’ Home in Sandusky.
“It’s a way of giving back to the vets,” Kessler said.
Kessler cited his involvement with the American Legion for teaching him that it was more than just a club to meet friends and play cards. There is a calling to assist and to give back to the guys that have served.