World War II veteran, 98, honored at A

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Gordon Smedley, a World War II veteran, talks to middle school and high school students during A-C Central'€™s Veterans Day Ceremony. Smedley, a Navy veteran, answered questions from the students who celebrated his service as well as his 98th birthday, which fell on Veterans Day. The assembly honored all veterans, many of whom were in attendance.

Gordon Smedley, a World War II veteran, was greeted by fifth-grade teacher Diane Sieving prior to A-C Central's Veterans Day Ceremony at the high school in Ashland. The assembly honored all veterans, many who were in attendance.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 125 of Ashland presented the colors Friday during A-C Central's Veterans Day Ceremony at the high school in Ashland.

A slide showing a photo of Gordon Smedley in his Navy uniform was shown during A-C Central's Veterans Day Ceremony at the high school in Ashland.

The A-C Central High School Choir, directed by Liz Klauzer, sang "The Star-Spangled Banner," during A-C Central's Veterans Day Ceremony at the high school in Ashland.

ASHLAND – The guest of honor at A-C Central's annual Veterans Day assembly had two special occasions to observe Friday.

Gordon Smedley of Ashland, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, celebrated his 98th birthday on Veterans Day. He was interviewed by social studies students at A-C Central as part of the district's annual observation of the holiday that honors and thanks all military personnel, particularly living veterans, who served the United States.

Diane Sieving, who teaches fifth grade, said the student-led assembly tries to specifically honor one person or event each year. This year, they selected Smedley, a longtime Ashland resident who has been active in the community.

The students took turns asking Smedley, a 1942 graduate of Ashland High School, about his experiences in the Navy.

"When it came out about Pearl Harbor, I didn't know anything about it. I didn't even know where Pearl Harbor was," Smedley told the students.

Smedley said he didn't want to be in the Army, so he avoided the draft by enlisting in the Navy in 1942. Smedley was just 17 when he joined, so his mother had to sign his enlistment papers for him. He said there were 14 boys in his class and 10 of them went into the service.

Smedley made 11 trans-Atlantic voyages – at roughly 15 mph – as a sonarman on the USS Hammann, a Navy destroyer escort ship, between 1943 and 1945, largely without incident. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

Smedley said the sailors were always glad to get mail from home and that he was lucky because when they landed in New York, he could call home for a quarter.

"I was happy when the war was over and I got out," Smedley said, "but my first thought was I have to find a job."

Besides serving as a volunteer firefighter in the community, Smedley was active in the VFW and American Legion in Ashland. After working outside of the community, Smedley later became the Ashland postmaster and then a rural carrier before retiring in 1989 with 36 years in the U.S. Postal Service.

"We thought it would be something special to have him share his experiences and recognize him during the assembly," Sieving said. "We are excited to have him here."

The effort took all hands to produce as students took different speaking parts, the high school choir sang "The Star-Spangled Banner," Boy Scout Troop 125 of Ashland presented and retired the colors, and Tyler Trissel played "Taps." The FFA chapter served breakfast before the assembly for veterans and their families.

The day was also special for Sieving's fifth-grade class. Annually, they collect money for Wreaths Across America and Friday was the kickoff of its fundraising efforts, which will end Nov. 20. The nonprofit group was founded in 2007 and its mission is to lay wreaths at veterans' cemeteries, honor those who served and teach children about the sacrifices made by veterans.

"We give our money to the Civil Air Patrol in Springfield, and they take the money we raise to help lay wreaths at Camp Butler National Cemetery before Christmas," Sieving said. "Last year, we raised enough money for 67 wreaths. That was our record. We are fortunate to live in a very generous community."