Veterans were duly honored this year in Columbus with so many special events, including the community program held on the south lawn of the Bartholomew Courthouse. Many were there to honor our veterans and the family and friends of those soldiers we have lost in this last year with a balloon released for each of them.
This is always a memorable program and well organized by the Veterans Day committee of Harry McCawley, Mark Pillar, Zack Ellison, Dick Yeaton, Ron Shadley, Tom Crawford and Gordon Lake.
Among the many remembrances for those who have served our country and given us the peace that we cherish was one by a very special lady, Shirley Brown, who sends a personally designed card to every veteran in Columbus each year. This year’s card held the emblems of all the services: U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard.
During World War II, the many men who served had special pictures of “pin-up girls,” that the men sometimes painted on the sides of airplanes or in barracks. Many were movie stars, and some were their special girl. I would like to nominate our Brown as our veterans’ special “pin-up girl” for always honoring and remembering our veterans on this day.
Interesting veteran
Dr. Kermit Knudsen is a very charming veteran we met recently at Mill Race Center. He claims the nickname of “Frog” at times. At the memorial service for veterans at Mill Race Center, he stood each time the music was played for the Marines, the Air Force and the Navy, having served in each branch of service.After he finished his internship in 1956 he was assigned to 1st Marines in San Diego for one year. Following that he was sent to the Navy and was assigned to the USS Nereus submarine for an additional year. Having left his two years of service, Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit was his destination for his residency. Hearing that the Air Force needed doctors, he applied and was assigned to Wright Patterson Air Force Base as a flight surgeon, remaining in his residency at the same time.Life then brought Knudsen to private practice, home and family.
Informative meeting
The Magazine Club met in October at The Farm, the home of Charles and Suzie Rentschler. Members of the committee, Judy Callaway, Marabeth Levett, Stephanie Pierret and Suzie Rentschler, helped chef Gregory serve a delicious luncheon, in keeping with the theme and program for the day which was “The Cathedral Builder,” a biography of J. Irwin Miller written by Charles Rentschler.The luncheon presented was that favored by Miller and prepared by the chef at the Irwin Management offices on Third and Washington streets. Attendees were served butternut squash soup, Waldorf salad and spiced pita bread, and for dessert, coconut pudding and lace cookies.Charles Rentschler then gave a very interesting review of his book about the life and times of Miller, his family and his business. What I found to be a delight along the way with the life of this founding family was the history of the life and times of Columbus. Having come to Columbus from a place far removed in many ways from a small town, Columbus is and always will be a fascinating and unique place here in the Midwest. It is in every way a microcosm of every large metropolis, but so much more is gleaned of the everyday life of people, families, government in all aspects and businesses.
It was quite an education in a nutshell. Many thanks to Charles Rentschler for his remarkable book — a must read — and history of a memorable and honorable man.
Wonderful performance
The Columbus Philharmonic recently presented Verdi “Requiem” at Columbus North High School. It was the most moving and incredibly beautiful experience with the help of the Philharmonic Chorus and four soloists, Rachel Mercer Holland, Jane Dutton, Michael Brandenburg and Timothy Noble.The performance was blended under the brilliant direction of David Bowden, who brings the music to life with his exuberant conducting. He is a wonder to behold.
