Just shy of his 94th birthday, Chester Township’s William Maiden united with friends on Veterans Day — a day that, however appreciated by generations of Americans, highlights a bond only truly understood by those taking the creeds to serve.
Just shy of his 94th birthday, Chester Township’s William Maiden united with friends on Veterans Day — a day that, however appreciated by generations of Americans, highlights a bond only truly understood by those taking the creeds to serve.
“This is one of the happiest days of my life,” Maiden said, following a Presentation of Medal for his service as a Montford Point Marine during World War II. “I had no idea. I am so grateful.”
VFW 6519, American Legion Post 167 and Ohio Ordnance Works hosted the annual Veterans Day luncheon Nov. 11 at St. Mary’s Church in Chardon follow- ing a rainy flag raising ceremony in front of Chardon Square’s courthouse steps.
“He was drafted and chose the (United States Marine Corps),” said John Brickman, Geauga County Veterans’ Services Commission assistant director. “I know he served in Hawaii and his unit was disbanded after they returned to the states in 1946. No welcome home, no parades and no medals, just a piece of paper saying you separated from the Marines.”
Montford Point Marines were the first black Americans to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps after President Franklin Roosevelt issued a 1941 Executive Order establishing the Fair Employment Practices Commission.
“All black military units date back to the Revolution,” Brickman said. “What is notable is that the Marines did not integrate until 1942 with the creation of an all black company at the newly established Marine Corps training center at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
President Roosevelt established a presidential directive giving African Americans an opportunity to be recruited into the Marine Corps. These African Americans, from all states, were not sent to traditional boot camps of Parris Island, S.C., and San Diego, Calif. Instead African American Marines were segregated.”
A scattering of Semper Fi flags proudly dot Geauga County’s landscape, joining Maiden’s at his home in Chester Township, a place he’s lived for more than 50 years.
“He received no awards for his service,” Brickman said, explaining that soldiers who are discharged and leave service receive medals upon discharge, but it took 62 years for Montford Point Marines to receive their Congressional Gold Medals.
“After meeting (Maiden) in February 2016, I made a request for the award of the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal through Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office,” Brickman said. “I felt he earned these medals and they should be issued. He has since received both the awards.”
With Brickman’s perseverance and dedi- cation, he also was able to get a replacement medal for the Congressional Gold Medal Maiden lost a few years prior.
“Due to an unfortunate car accident after attending a celebration for veterans at a local church, Mr. Maiden had lost his Congressional Gold Medal and was interest- ed in requesting a replacement,” said John Riha, president of AMVETS in Geauga County.
Applause filled the banquet hall as veterans with canes and walkers, Baby Boomers, post 9/11 veterans and those in-between shared the camaraderie of duty, honor and country between forkfuls of roasted turkey and dressing.
Keynote speaker Colonel Ralph Tucker spoke at the prior outdoor ceremony and at lunch.
“This day is set aside as a day that hon- ors all veterans for serving their country whether it is in times of war or peace,” Tucker had said to his umbrella totting listeners. “I would be remiss if I did not mention those veterans that are no longer with us. And we must acknowledge those brave persons that are now serving and those deployed. May they be kept safe.”
Johnny Cash’s voice echoed “Ragged Old Flag” as the program continued inside.
Tucker scanned his audience.
“The liberties we enjoy were won by you,” he said. “Veterans, be proud you belong to a unique and most important insti- tution in the United States.”
His voice then cracked in earnest plead- ing with listeners suffering from post-trau- matic-stress syndrome.
“You are living veterans,” Tucker said. “Get that out of your mind and get help.”
Maiden’s thoughts traveled back in time.
“After my father died in 1932, I spent two years on a plantation, which gave me an appreciation for the simplicity of life and that people depended on God and their neighbors for survival,” Maiden said.
With gratitude for the GI Bill, Maiden earned a college degree and became a tool designer for Terex division of General Motors, and had three children with his late wife, “the girl next door,” a Rhodes Scholar named Geneva.
“The Marines have always been known for their discipline, it’s not a secret now and it never has been,” Brickman said. “If you join the Marines, you will be held to a high- er standard. So knowing that every move you make will be scrutinized, then used to label you and everyone that looks like you, takes courage. These men represented an entire race of people and should be proud that their service helped form a stronger nation.”
Brickman leaned in to shake Maiden’s hand.
“I am grateful for you brother,” Brickman said, as Maiden chatted with a new friend, 93-year-old Mel Ruthers, of Newbury Township, and fellow World War II veteran.
“I can’t stress enough that volunteering to join a service that was all-white took guts,” Brickman added.
Upon receiving his medal and standing
ovation, Maiden asked Brickman a request, then began singing “God Bless America.”
Onlookers cheered as the Marine veteran, a long-time choir member, seemed to sing his impromptu solo from a place where feelings run deep.
Back at his seat, Maiden flashed a gentlemanly smile and shared a prediction his grandma made when he was 9, just after she commended him on his cotton-picking skills in the Alabama fields near Selma.
“You will be a long liver,” Maiden said she told him. “It must be a prophecy because the Lord is still leaving me here. Each day we have is a gift from him to fulfill our purpose. Being in the Marine Corps was part of his purpose for my life. I am proud to be an American.”
