My walk today was dedicated in Honor of my Dad, My Hero.
Private 1st Class Ernest French Jr
Apr. 30, 1927 – Feb. 15, 2013
Dad was born in Ladoga, Indiana. He was drafted into the Army on July 30, 1945. He served 1 year and 5months.
He was assigned to the 2101st area service unit. He was a Private First Class and was assigned to the Seperation Center at Fort George G Meade, MD.
His Military Occupational Specialty was Finance Clerk and he was qualified on the MKM M-1 Rifle. His awards included the World War II Victory Ribbon and Lapel Button issued for no days lost under AW 107.
When dad got out of the Army he worked in the oil fields in California for a little while before coming back home to Ladoga, Indiana to work on the farm with is dad. He worked in a factory (Detroit Diesel Allisons) in Indianapolis, IN for 30 years.
After retirement he moved to Crossville, TN. Lived there for several years before moving back to Thorntown, Indiana.
Dad loved to grow fruit trees and he loved his garden. When we lived in Colfax, Indiana he had a big garden the size of three city lots. He supplied vegetables to a lot of the older folks in the area who could not get out.
He was my Hero and it is an honor to be able to make this day a special day to share his story with my family and friends. Getting his World War II foot locker means a lot to me. I only have a few of his things but I cherish them all and the memories I still have.
The walk went very well. Walked 5.13 miles and no I didn’t get wet even tho it sure looked like it.