So Many Veterans — Lest We Forget
I have been writing about Osmond’s veterans since October of 2022, publishing their stories almost weekly — with a break here and there if I get sidetracked with something else, either here in the office or at home. That's a long time — and I haven’t even covered half of our departed Legion members!
I actually got to thinking about it. There’s something like 383 veterans on that list. Even if I printed one every week, it would take about four more years to cover all their stories!
Each of these veterans was a living, breathing person with their own distinct personality, with a family who loved him, with hopes and dreams. Some had sad stories, especially those honored 15 who died in the service to their country.
Some returned home and started families. Most stayed here, but some moved away. Many not only served their country but also came back and served in the community. Still others came back suffering from “shell shock,” disabilities or other repercussions from serving during war.
In researching these men, I have used the Ancestry website for much of my information, as well as newspapers.com, Find A Grave, and of course, the Osmond Republican files.
When possible, I also have been able to talk to family members to get personal memories of that person and pictures of them in many cases, for which I am so grateful!
I was working on what I believed was the last World War I veteran on the list. He’s not the last one to pass away (that is the order in which they’re listed, by the date of death). I actually went back to him as one of a couple of men I couldn't find any information on at first. Luckily, this time, I found the information I needed to get his history so he wouldn’t be forgotten.
Last week, I decided to double-check the list I had started with — which was a short one printed in the 1990 Osmond Centennial Book — against the list printed in the Memorial Day program each year. Imagine my surprise to see that there are several more names in the earlier section on the Memorial Day list than the short list in the centennial book! I’m assuming they were added later when someone realized they had been missed.
So. . . there will be a few more that are probably World War I veterans’ stories coming.
After that, I will be researching the veterans of World War II, and I hope to hear from those of you who have relatives who served during that time. If you have pictures of anyone who served in WWII and/or have memories of that person, please give me a call or email me at [email protected].
Remember, as long as we continue to speak their names, they will not be forgotten!
Remembering Those Who Came Before
I have been writing about Osmond’s veterans for a couple of years now, and I have really enjoyed learning more about these men. In researching their histories, I always look for information in the Osmond Centennial Book, of course.
While looking through that book, I always get sidetracked. There are a lot of fascinating stories there, especially the ones about the early pioneers who settled the area.
They moved here, sometimes with almost nothing, and built houses, farms, stores, businesses — all in a place that was likely foreign to them. In some cases, even the language may have been foreign to them.
Maybe sometime in the future, I will try writing about some of those people in addition to our veterans. We’ll see what happens!
