Service to country has long been a commitment those from the Goshen area have proudly made. Young men left high school to join the military. Men left their plows in the fields and their wives and families behind because Uncle Sam wanted them. Women realized there was a role for them to play in the military and responded to duty’s call.

About a year ago, a group of veterans from Goshen wanted to make sure the commitment to country made by local men and women would be recognized and never forgotten.

Watson Kyzar, Ramon Stroud and Charles Horn found a way.

Last week, the “Goshen High School Military Service, 1935-1968” compilation was made available to those from the Goshen area who have served and also to the public.

The insignia of every Goshen “soldier” during those war-torn years is emblazoned on the covers. Inside are class listings of those who served and also photographs, military retirees, service awards, casualties and cemetery listings.

In a word, “Goshen High School Military Service 1935-1968” is a treasure.

The publication is dedicated to four surviving members of Goshen’s Greatest Generation, William Oris Sanders, Homer Lesueur, William E. Folmar and Elkin Bragg Carter.

“The book is dedicated to these four patriots in recognition of their service to their country, in and out of the military,” Kyzar said. “They all served in combat or combat-related roles. They all honorably represented what being an American should mean to the generations that followed and those who go forward.”
Stroud said the idea for the book came from reading, seeing and hearing the never-ending claims of all that is wrong with the United States.

What is right with the United States, he said, lies within the dedication to country and commitment to fellowman that was embodied by the men and women who were willing to give their all so that America could remain the home of the free.

“This book was published with deep appreciation to the Goshen patriots,” Horn said. “And also so that commitment to the right things and the willingness to save the nation that was demonstrated by these Goshen patriots will be an example that is recognized, honored and rewarded.”

Oris Sanders said he served with pride and with no thoughts of recognition for his service.

“Back then, we all wanted to go,” he said. “It was our duty. It was an honor to serve our country.”

For Sanders and other surviving members of the Greatest Generation, their hope is that “everybody would honor America in the same way.”

The book’s Index of GHS-Related Veterans totals 381for the years 1935-1968, which was a large percentage of students at GHS. It also includes a compilation of graduating classes from Goshen High School prior to 1950.

Horn, Kyzar and Stroud expressed appreciation to all who submitted information and photos to the book project, to other contributors, reviewers and sponsors.

And, the GHS Veterans Project continues. Another book is underway that is dedicated to GHS graduates who served in the military from the beginning of World War II (1941) to the end of the Vietnam War.

The 2018 Goshen Get Together will be November 3. There, the “Goshen High School Military Service 1935-1968” books will be available for sale for $7 and listings will be taken for the upcoming GHS veterans’ book.

For more information or to purchase the 1935-1968 military service book, call Kyzar at 334-484-3222, Stroud at 484-3470 or Horn at 277-1364.