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Shown left to right: Dennis Scheel, Beth Magistro, Dayle Winter, Lloyd Kraft, Darold Rounds, Kyle Everson.
A ceremony honoring 50 years of continuous American Legion dedication was held last Thursday in honor of two Willman-Fee Post 14 members Dayle Winter and Lloyd Kraft.
Both lifetime members, the men were recognized for 50 years of membership and presented a certificate and a pin by Post Commander Kyle Everson. Other Legionnaires involved in the ceremony were Darold Rounds, Dennis Scheel and Beth Magistro.
In 1955, Winter volunteered to be in the Army and attended basic training at Fort Bliss. Following basic, Winters reported to Fort Knox in Kentucky and worked as a company clerk within the 11th Armored Calvary.
“We were training to go to Korea but by the time we got trained, the Korean War was over,” Winters recalled.
Kraft shared a similar timeline, having volunteered in 1954 for the Army. Basic training for him was in Arkansas at Fort Chaffee with orders to go to track vehicle mechanic school. After basic, he went on to Fort Lewis in Washington.
“When we got there they said there was a need for people to go to ammunition supply training but then it was changed to parts supply,” Kraft explained. “As we were training to go to Korea I was maintaining vehicles at the Yakima Training Center. By the time we were fully trained, the war was over.”
Both Winter and Kraft were honorably discharged and they both went on to join the American Legion when they were eligible according to the rules laid out at that time. Both men agree that membership has been and continues to be an important part of their lives.
“Having a local post that works with local youth programs such as baseball and boys state is very important to us both,” said Winters. “It comes down to valuing being a part of a local organization that is active and supports the community as a whole.”