The Independent-News, Volume 120, Number 7, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 30 June 1994 — Page 3
Frank C. Kramer Honored At Veteran Os World War I A Grateful Nation Remembers A special commemorative medal was designed specifically for veterans of World War I’which is a replica of the World War I Victory Medal. The average ages of the surviving veterans are 95 to 100. The medal was commissioned and designed by the Robert H. McCormick Chicago Tribune Foundation in memory of their founder who was a World .War 1 veteran. The first presentations were made to 180 veterans of World War I at the McCormick Estate in Illinois during the National Convention of the Veterans of World War I and their Ladies Auxiliary. Colonnels, generals and admirals knelt beside the wheel chairs to pin on the commemorative medal marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War I. The attractive medal is made of red brass with a blue band of baked enamel on the front side depicting a laurel wreath which signifies honor and is encircled by the inscription "75th Anniversary" and "World War I". The dedication "A Grateful Nation Remembers" and the date 1918-1993 are on the reverse side with an oak
FLEA MARKET -
Grovertown Travel Plaza Wanted - Dealers Free Set-Up Every Saturday & Sunday 219-867-2810
. .rSMiSf wIJIW U ’ **< A IP
BATTERIES “C" or "D" Batteries In Twin Peck 68* WILSON BALLS Touchdown Football Or Michael Jordan "Premium" Basketball *12.99
branch symbolic of strength. Each medal is attached to a rainbow colored ribbon. JIM Vj I Z?'# v 1 ? Il n . *. w aA *wßk vl Recently, a former resident of the Walkerton-Koontz Lake area was presented with such a medal. Frank C. Kramer, a resident now of The Milton Home, South Bend, humbly accepted this special medal in recognition of his military service. The presentation was made by Jasper Elkin, Commander of Orville Easterday Post 189, The American Legion, Walkerton with Post 189 Commandor and Past District Commander, Linder Schmeltz, presenting an American Flag, very appropriate, as it was Flag Day. Kramer was born in Laibach, Austria on October 4, 1897 and left at the age of 17 to pursue his dream of becoming an American citizen. Just two-and-a-half years later, as the First World War escalated, he volunteered to serve in the United States Army. When the war ended, he returned to the United States as an "American". Mr. Kramer served as a private in the United States Army from May 1917 to May 1919 in the famed 42nd (Rainbow) Division commanded by Douglas MacArthur. He fought in many of the major battles: Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel and
/£ Summer Speciales.
175 Count Box jgisy 98* Double Six Pack STYROFOAM COOLER X/J *1,19 SO 3 TO CRAFT BOXES Set Os 3 Paper Mache Boxes, 6" To 10” Size. Choice Os Shapes. Set Os 3 QQ
Meuse-Argonne. Some war experiences Kramer has never forgotten. He ways that he was first in the Cavalry and the first day he was put on a horse. They rode all day. At the end of the day, he could not get off the horse. After requiring help to get off, he needed help to remove his pants, and when the pants were removed, all of the skin went too. He remembers being ordered, along with another young soldier, to lay communications wire to the front by means of rolling a big heavy spool, one man on either side. He remembers being shot at from an enemy hot-air balloon hovering in the sky not too far off and his partner being hit. Kramer had to go back for another man and then, that man too, was hit. As he moved along with the third man, he just felt that his turn was coming up, but somehow they made it. Mr. Kramer was never wounded but he was mustard-gassed. The gas burned all the way through his boots to his skin. He recalls the pain as being excruciating, but the scars have long since faded. He remembers the filth, the vermin, the wet, the cold and the pure misery of the trenches, and when it became apparent that his only son would have to serve in the Second World War, he encouraged him to enter the Navy. • "Ab least you’ll have water and can stay clean". His son entered the Navy. Kramer returned to his old job of selling men’s clothes at The Hub Store in Chicago, and it was there he met Kitty Bush, who at age 16, was working at this store during her vacation. It was love at first sight, but her father insisted they wait until Kitty was 28 before marrying. Soon after marrying, Mr. Kramer became involved*, in the real estate business in Chicago but he and his wife spent many weekends searching for an unspoiled lake within driving distance of Chicago
PHARMACY SODA FOUNTAIN - GENERAL STORE 129-131 N. Main Street North Liberty, Ind. Phone 656-4722 HOURS: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 |Mn. Saturday 8.00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Sunday 9:00 a m. - 3.00 p.m.
SALE RUNS JUNE 30 - JULY 6
that could be developed. They found Koontz Lake near Walkerton, Indiana in a relatively pristine state and purchased their first piece of property. In 1938 the family made the decisionFto abandon Chicago real estate and moved to Koontz Lake to concentrate on developing the lake properties. Kramer became the prime developer at the lake and often is soundly referred to as "Mr. Koontz Lake". He remained active there until he was 80 years old. In 1991, Mr. Kramer was stricken with a stroke which left him and his wife no longer able to manage without round-the-clock care. Wanting to stay together, they entered The Milton Home’in South Bend which is near their daughter and her two children and grandchildren. Mr. Jack Mueller, The Milton Home administrator, asked one of the accomplished residents to play the piano as all joined in the singing, "God Bless America". Seated alongside Mr. Kramer was his wife of over 72 years, Kitty, also a resident of The Milton Home. Kramer’s grandson, Conrad, of Mishawaka, read an interesting paper relating to the military ser-. vice and personal life of his grandfather. The Kramers are the parents of Kay Kramer, a noted South Bend artist, and F. Richard
< . NORTH LIBERTY 4th OF JULY CELEBRAT| ° N MONDAY I\V PARADE — 2:00 P.M. FIREWORKS — DUSK
life KITCHEN TOWEL set Set Includes Printed Velour Towel, Matching Potholder And Magnet *2.49 BEACH TOWELS Assorted Designs *I.OO OFF BLOW POPS Jr. Blow Pops; or Blue Razz Berry Blow Pops. 13 Oz. Bag *I.OO
JUNE 30, 1994 - THE INDEPENDENT NEWS -
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH Nelson’t Port-A-Rt CHICKEN BARBECUE Saturday, July 2 Ist SOURCE BANK PARKING LOT Walkerton, Indiana PRE-SALE PICK-UP UNRESERVED 10:00 - 1:00 10:00 - Sold Out Carry-Outs Only — Half Chicken $3.75
PEEL ’n STICK FABRIC CRAFT Beautiful Self-Adhesive Fabric Free Idea Sheets! roll *3.99 KODAK FUNSAVER WITH FLASH 15 Exposure . _ The Film That’s A Camera! -•S’- 13 . *9.95 !| CARPET DEODORIZER 20 Oz. Size Available In Many Fragrances I 99*
Kramer, a recently retired South Bend attorney, now living on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The son was unable to attend the presentation. The afore-mentioned Conrad and Lisa Malkewicz, South Bend, are the grandchildren of the Kramers. Frank Malkewicz, husband of Lisa, was also present. A representative from Congressman Tim Roemer’s office presented Kramer with a citation of military service. Attending from Walkerton along with Elkin and Schmeltz were Mrs. Jasper Elkin and mother, Mrs. Linder Schmeltz, Mrs. Amybelle Wardman and Mr. and Mrs. William Flaugher. Mrs. Flaugher is the president of the American Legion Auxiliary, Walkerton, and Mr. Flaugher is a Past Commander of the Post. Enjoying the refreshments were the many residents who had assembled in the spacious room for this special occasion and who joined in singing several World War 1 and other patriotic songs. Mr. Kramer was a commander of Orville Easterday Post 189 from 1942-1944 and his wife, Kitty, served as president of the American Legion Auxiliary in the same time frame.
3