Warsaw Couple Honored With Order Of Kosciuszko Award
Warsaw Couple Honored With Order Of Kosciuszko Award
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw Couple Honored With Order Of Kosciuszko AwardDon and Sally Nichols were honored Thursday with the Order of Kosciuszko Award.
The couple was honored during the annual Veterans Day ceremony at Center Lake Pavilion.
The award honors Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Revolutionary War hero, who is the namesake of Kosciusko County.
John Sadler, Sons of American Legion Post 49 member, presented the award to the Nichols.
The award is given each year to an honorably discharged veteran who exemplifies service to God, country and others in Kosciusko County.
Don entered the Army Air Corps planning to be a bombardier, but was eventually assigned to the newly formed 10th Armored Division, training as a gunner on a Sherman M4A3 tank.
He served in the European Campaign in World War II during the Battle of the Bulge.
Sally served in the Navy at the Naval Supply Depot in Mechanicsburg, Pa., in a clerical position.
Her dad, Pete McConnell, had served in World War I so she and her sister, who joined the Army, had been taught it was their patriotic duty to serve their country.
Don has been active in American Legion Post 49, and is a former post commander. He also is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Sally has been an active volunteer at the Kosciusko Historical Society, and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The Nichols are the parents of Karen Nye, Steve Nichols and Lynn Christiansen.
Ken Locke, Salvation Army director, a fellow veteran and a Son of the American Legion member of Squadron 49, was the featured speaker for the ceremony.
Locke served in the Army from 1975 to 1979 driving Army colonels around.
"I humbly stand before you and have the greatest appreciation for each one of you," Locke said.
Locke spoke about things he has learned from veterans.
He learned the American flag is more than a piece of cloth, always move forward and freedom isn't free.
"We many times take the freedoms we have for granted, and forget that there is a great price that has been paid for the things we enjoy today," Locke said.
Warsaw Community High School band provided music, and there was a Post everlasting ceremony conducted by Post 49 Adjutant Mike Davis and Post 1126 Quartermaster Larry Criswell.
There was a 21-gun salute and "Taps" by combined Honor Guard Post 49 and Post 1126.
