World War II veteran Bob Gast turns 103 Friday, March 28, but he was surprised today to find out he was honored in the U.S. Congressional Record  for his service.
The surprise took place at the monthly veterans group meeting at The Blue Apron in the Warsaw Area Career Center. Gast, the oldest Warsaw Community Schools alumni, was joined by Charles Garner, a 101-year-old World War II veteran who was previously recognized for his service and presented with the Congressional Record back in December at the Susie McEntire Country Christmas concert.
After everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to Gast today, and the colors were presented by the Warsaw Community High School JROTC Color Guard, Martin Schultz, deputy district director for U.S. Congressman Rudy Yakym’s office, presented Gast with the Congressional Record for him.
“The Congressional Record is the historical journal of Congress, so this is to honor Bob’s legacy, not only for service to our country, but service to the community as well,” Schultz stated before reading it aloud.
In the Dec. 9, 2024, Congressional Record, Yakym said, “Born more than a century ago, Bob embodies what it means to be part of the ‘Greatest Generation.’ When the forces of fascism and tyranny threatened the peace, security and freedom of millions, Bob answered the call to serve our nation as a soldier in the United States Army.

    Martin Schultz (R), deputy district director for U.S. Congressman Rudy Yakym’s office, reads the U.S. Congressional Record for World War II veteran Bob Gast (second from left), who turns 103 Friday, March 28, 2025. The presentation was made during the veterans group meeting Thursday at The Blue Apron at the Warsaw Area Career Center. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
  

“During one of the most crucial periods of fighting on the Western Front in the Second World War, Bob led his Army platoon during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. A second lieutenant at the time, Bob earned the Silver Star after being shot in the arm. The Silver Star is one of the most prestigious medals of honor our nation can bestow on a servicemember, and it appropriately recognizes Bob's valor in combat and his gallantry in action against the enemy. Bob's Silver Star, along with his Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, World War II Victory Medal and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal are all physical proof and outward symbols of Bob's inner fortitude, leadership abilities, and his unwavering commitment to duty and service.”
He continued, “President Ronald Reagan reminded us that freedom is fragile and must constantly be fought for and vigilantly guarded by each generation. That noble mission is exactly what Bob helped carry out when he wore the uniform of the United States military. Because of the service and sacrifice of warriors like Bob, generations of Americans have been able to experience the blessings of liberty and live in a land that is free.
“For that, all of us owe Bob and his fellow veterans a debt we can never fully repay.
“Bob's dedication to service did not stop when he returned home to Indiana after battle. Bob has been very active in a number of community organizations throughout Kosciusko County, and the Warsaw City Council, the Rotary Club, Salvation Army, Warsaw Evangelical Community Church and Mobile Meals program have all benefited greatly from Bob's involvement. Simply put, Bob epitomizes what it means to put ‘Service Above Self.’”
Yakym then read into the Congressional Record, “Despite all these impressive accolades and countless testimonials from those he has helped over the years, perhaps Bob's best legacy are his and his wife Marge's seven children, and their more than two dozen grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“After more than a century of life well lived, I join countless Hoosiers in celebrating Bob Gast and in thanking him for his loyal service and the many, many contributions he has made to the Kosciusko County community, Indiana's Second Congressional District and our country. May God bless Bob Gast,” he concluded.
Gast said a few words of gratitude and remembered his late wife, receiving a round of applause.

    Martin Schultz, deputy district director for U.S. Congressman Rudy Yakym’s office, presented World War II veteran Bob Gast with a U.S. Congressional Record Thursday for Gast’s 103rd birthday, which is Friday, March 28, 2025. Pictured (L to R) are Schultz, Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert, Gast and 101-year-old World War II veteran Charles Garner. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
  

Kosciusko County Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell was appreciative of elected officials who honor the country’s veterans.
“I’m grateful for our representatives, both at the state level and the federal level. Elected officials who truly inspire others to never forget about the veteran who make sure that we have the right to live in freedom,” he stated.
Warsaw Schools Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert explained the veterans group started meeting about 10 years ago.
“It was made up of just a number of veterans and, again, they knew I was a history teacher so I’m kind of like their honorary historian that gets to come and hang out with them,” he said. “And when you talk about role models, they’re just incredible community role models who have served their country.”
The veterans group includes World War II, Korean War and Vietnam veterans, but also is beginning to include more veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“We have our regulars that come every month, and it’s just a time for them to sit down, share their story, but then also we get to share a lot about what’s going on in the schools as well, too. So, I get to use them as a local focus group, and local role models, pretty much every month. They will tell me what they hear on the street. They will ask me and grill me with all kinds of questions, and for them I am the young guy in the crowd,” he said.
It’s an incredible blessing every month, Hoffert said, to meet with veterans like John Peyton and Bill Cook, who were two of the group’s original founders. Over time, through word of mouth, others have joined and the group has grown. They’re an Americana group of Warsaw hometown heroes, he stated.
There aren’t many WWII veterans remaining, so to have a 101-year-old and a 103-year-old is incredible, Hoffert said.
“Each time that we have a birthday party with Bob, I always tell him that I have never been to a 100-year-old birthday party, then it turned into 101, 102 and now when we talk about 103 - and, again, just getting to sit down and listen to his story - he was a true World War II hero,” Hoffert said. “This generation has slowly dwindled away, and sadly, again, with age. So to be able to have that - and this last year we were able to recognize Bob as our eldest alumni of Warsaw Community Schools as a graduate. And so just having that ability to learn from history - and over here, we have Reed Nelson, who is one of our high school students - so we’ve been able to bring Reed to meet Bob and Charlie and some of the others.”
Over the years, the veterans group has lost a number of members, including original founders Gerald Romine, who died in 2024 at age 95; and Dr. Charles E. Hassel, who died in 2023 at age 94.
“Each year we’ve watched some of those individuals pass away, but, again, their story has stayed with this group,” Hoffert said.
He concluded by stating there are some amazing hometown heroes walking the streets in the community every day, and WCS feels privileged to be a part of that.
Along with presenting the colors, the WCHS JROTC cadets served as parking attendants, welcomed the veterans and performed some drills during the lunch.
Major (ret.) Friedrich Josellis, who oversees JROTC at WCHS, said, “Obviously, it’s a celebration for Bob Gast and his birthday. So, since it’s at our high school, we wanted to make sure that Mr. Gast literally receives a four-star experience, as best as possible, given everything that he’s accomplished. He’s obviously a Tiger, too, so we’ve got all those reasons why to celebrate Bob Gast today.”