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Staff photo by Rick McCrabb
Ed Karwacki, a World War II veteran, who just turned 90, has been with the American Legion’s honor guard for the last 25 years.
World War II veteran an inspiration to others
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By Rick McCrabb,
Columnist
Updated 2:39 PM Wednesday, November 11, 2009
MIDDLETOWN — People who do the most good usually want the least recognition.
They deserve the accolades, of course, but they do their best work behind closed doors, away from the limelight.
No wonder Ed Karwacki, of Middletown, told me with a slight smile, but a military firmness: “Son, you better not write more than five or six sentences.”
With all due respect, sir, you deserve more than can be written — or said — in a few lines.
He’s a World War II veteran, which in itself, we should present him a lifetime supply of Central Pastry cakes.
But consider — think of it as icing — that Karwacki, who turned 90 last week, served 3 1/2 years in the Air Force Corps, then, 25 years ago, joined the American Legion Post 218 color guard.
Karwacki, a native of Baltimore, Md., called WWII “a hell of a war,” and he was “very, very happy to get home” not in a body bag.
Once home, Karwacki returned to Loyola University, where he left for the service during his sophomore year. He graduated from high school in 1938, and, since his education was interrupted by the war, graduated from Loyola 10 years later.
He worked for Continental Oil Co. in Baltimore and Chicago, then joined the Formica Co. in Evendale, where he retired in 1984, after 25 years.
He joined the Legion 38 years ago, served as commander in 1979 and takes great pride in being a member of the color guard, which has performed at more than 100 veterans’ funerals this year.
“It’s a great honor to serve those who died,” Karwacki said Tuesday, Nov. 10 while sipping a Budweiser in the Legion’s bar. “They are great people and this is the least we can do to honor them.”
Ed and his wife of 67 years, Helen, have four children — Edward, Mary, Kathy, and Richard — five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Helen turns 90 next month.
“We’ve been fortunate, had a good life,” he said. “We’d had good health, though it’s declining, but we’re not a bunch of 21 year olds.”
As Karwacki — affectionately called “pops” and “Dad” around the Legion — quietly talked about his life, John Paynter, first sergeant of the honor guard, sat back and smiled proudly.
“He amazes me,” Paynter said. “I came here three years ago and I’ve worked my way up. He inspires me every day.”
That’s when Paynter remembered a winter funeral performed in sub-freezing temperatures.
Karwacki was there. Saluting. Of course.
“He’s unreal,” Paynter said.
Contact this columnist at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.
Veterans Day events
10:45 a.m. Woodside Cemetery, memorial service, keynote speech by Middletown American Legion Post 218 Commander John D. Lovely.
11:30 a.m. luncheon, Deardoff Senior Center, 605 S. River St., Franklin. Free to veterans, $4 for guests.
Noon luncheon, American Legion Post 218, 116 S. Main St., Middletown.
8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, breakfast, American Legion Post 149, 126 E. Fourth St., Franklin, free to veterans, $6.50 for guests.
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George Ophoff
Dallas, TX
9:44 AM, 11/11/2009
8:51 AM, 11/11/2009
We are now confronted with the enemy General Patton warned us about and why he wanted to ReArm Germany and Invade Communist Bolshevik Russia.
8:47 AM, 11/11/2009
8:25 AM, 11/11/2009
6:42 AM, 11/11/2009