April Veteran Of The Month Served 40 Years In The Military
April 8, 2025 at 5:34 p.m.
Between his active career in the U.S. Army and the Indiana National Guard, William “Bud” Allan Long served his country for 40 years.
Tuesday, he was recognized by the Kosciusko County Commissioners as the Veteran of the Month for April 2025.
In presenting Long to the commissioners, County Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell said William is the younger of two children, born in December 1949 to Ernest and Alyce Long at McDonald Hospital in Warsaw. His father was a World War II combat veteran and has traced his ancestors in every conflict since the French and Indian War.
He grew up around Warsaw and Winona Lake. William first attended high school at what is now the Lakeview Middle School. He later married Delphia in December 1967, bought a house and transferred to Pierceton High, where he graduated in 1968, McDowell said.
William started working at RR Donnelly and Sons in January 1969 and remained until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in November 1969. After completing his enlistment, he returned to work at RR Donnelly and Sons until September 1987. After that, he started his own business in water conditioner sales and service until September 2001, when he was activated for Operation Noble Eagle.
“His wife Delphia has always been an active part- and this is something to remember - in his military life, all the way at the beginning,” McDowell said. “She moved with him where the military wanted from the start and has played a major part in the family support group throughout his 40 years of military service, in the active Army and the Indiana National Guard.”
When it comes to support, McDowell said William could not ask for anything more.
“The bottom line is, together, they were asked to serve on the State Advisory Council for the youth program and gladly accepted. To date, both have raised three children and, as part of the Foster Parent Program, have fostered 13 children. Today, they play a large part in raising their 7-month-old great-grandson, Alzial,” McDowell said.
After being presented with his framed certificate, William said, “All I can really say is I was drafted and did not know how to quit.”
He said he couldn’t have made it without his family behind him, and Delphia stuck right beside him the entire time.
“We actually started a wife’s group at the Warsaw Armory, which now they have a family support group statewide, and I think we had a big part in causing that to happen,” he said.
“I just want to say thank you and it’s an honor. It’s all I can say.”
Between his active career in the U.S. Army and the Indiana National Guard, William “Bud” Allan Long served his country for 40 years.
Tuesday, he was recognized by the Kosciusko County Commissioners as the Veteran of the Month for April 2025.
In presenting Long to the commissioners, County Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell said William is the younger of two children, born in December 1949 to Ernest and Alyce Long at McDonald Hospital in Warsaw. His father was a World War II combat veteran and has traced his ancestors in every conflict since the French and Indian War.
He grew up around Warsaw and Winona Lake. William first attended high school at what is now the Lakeview Middle School. He later married Delphia in December 1967, bought a house and transferred to Pierceton High, where he graduated in 1968, McDowell said.
William started working at RR Donnelly and Sons in January 1969 and remained until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in November 1969. After completing his enlistment, he returned to work at RR Donnelly and Sons until September 1987. After that, he started his own business in water conditioner sales and service until September 2001, when he was activated for Operation Noble Eagle.
“His wife Delphia has always been an active part- and this is something to remember - in his military life, all the way at the beginning,” McDowell said. “She moved with him where the military wanted from the start and has played a major part in the family support group throughout his 40 years of military service, in the active Army and the Indiana National Guard.”
When it comes to support, McDowell said William could not ask for anything more.
“The bottom line is, together, they were asked to serve on the State Advisory Council for the youth program and gladly accepted. To date, both have raised three children and, as part of the Foster Parent Program, have fostered 13 children. Today, they play a large part in raising their 7-month-old great-grandson, Alzial,” McDowell said.
After being presented with his framed certificate, William said, “All I can really say is I was drafted and did not know how to quit.”
He said he couldn’t have made it without his family behind him, and Delphia stuck right beside him the entire time.
“We actually started a wife’s group at the Warsaw Armory, which now they have a family support group statewide, and I think we had a big part in causing that to happen,” he said.
“I just want to say thank you and it’s an honor. It’s all I can say.”