By Stephen Smoot
In June 1944, Ed Keller celebrated his 19th birthday halfway around the world in a place that bears almost no resemblance to the quiet Main Street residence he enjoys now. He spent it working to support United States operations in the Pacific as the American military prepared to launch its full might on the Japanese garrison at Saipan.
More than 80 years later, his fellow service veterans in the American Legion gathered at the Star Hotel to honor Keller on his 100th birthday and enjoy the hilarious stories he told and fellowship with each other.
As attendees gathered, they came together, shared stories, and caught up with each other’s lives. A gold set of balloons forming “100” dominated the front of the room, reminding all of the special event about to commence.
Keller himself came in, all smiles and jocularity. Steve Conrad came up with a hearty greeting to the carpenter first mate, saying, “Hey Commodore, how are you doing?” Gene McConnell followed, saying, “Good to see you!” Keller replied that it was “good to be here!”
Mary Francis Wadsworth, who had helped to organize the event, took a large birthday card around for everyone to sign.
As the time came to begin, Conrad loudly announced “I call this special meeting to order.” Then he stated, “We’re obviously here to celebrate Ed’s 100th birthday.” Attendees then recited the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an opening prayer that implored “we ask that You watch over Ed and Helen (his wife)” and asked God to protect the nation from “radical elements seeking to destroy our country.”
The dinner took place during the day in which the Legion performs its regular business. They dispensed with most of that, but announced that the organization would sponsor a dinner June 26 at Pendleton County Senior and Family Services in Franklin.
Attention then turned back to the guest of honor for a few minutes. Keller received a crown and a sash to mark the occasion. One joked, “He has no hair to keep it (the crown) on!” Another volunteered to get some tape.
Wadsworth then showed the cake, that portrayed, as she said, “Some young whippersnapper . . .. with a cigar in his hand.” Ruth Warner provided the cake with a photograph of a much younger Keller on the top.
Conrad then thanked Steve Miller, proprietor of the Star Hotel, for hosting the event and returned to informing those there about recent activities.
Three students earned American Legion scholarships to support their upcoming college education. The amount of $500 went to Lizzie Alt, Titus Nulph, and Addison Rexrode. “They were all very grateful,” explained Conrad, who added that “they’re great students.”
He added that the American Legion also offers scholarships for trades education opportunities that can lead to higher paying opportunities close to home and hoped that Pendleton County students would apply for those next year as well.
Next, Conrad shared that John Buster and a number of students with Future Farmers of America tracked down veteran markers in the cemetery and placed 388 flags to honor their service. “The students did a fantastic job,” he related, adding that “they found a lot of the graves,” most on the first day of the effort.
Frank Wehrle from the Town of Franklin office also assisted by providing lists. Conrad dryly quipped, “That’s a monumental job.”
Then the veteran of the United States Navy asked for “sea stories,” or funny tales from the service. Several offered theirs until the time came for “stories about Ed.”
Keller shared a story about himself that was somewhat off color, but entirely entertaining.
He said, “I want to thank you all for showing up. I sure appreciate it. I’ll come to your 100th birthday party, just hang in there.”
Conrad then gave a synopsis of Keller’s military career, starting with the fact that the veteran had asked to run bulldozers, but seemed to receive every job in the service but that. He shared that “Pendleton County is a better place,” due to Keller.
Finally came another ceremony of sorts. Conrad explained that the American Legion normally makes a tradition of not recognizing distinctions in military rank. He said, “In Post 30, we make an exception for members over 100 years old. We promote second chief petty officer Ed Keller to commodore,” then pinned the stars of rank upon him.
Keller then asked all to raise their right hand, and said, “Let’s do the same thing next year!”
He received a series of gifts, mostly of the gag variety. One was a bar of soap with the message “anything 100 years old must stink.” Keller retorted, “Haven’t our guests been through enough?” Then he joked, “I never thought I’d make commodore!”
Keller began telling stories on himself, including that “I only had two times where I had extra duty,” a common punishment for minor infractions, such as driving a Jeep through a mudhole and splashing a line of fellow servicemen waiting for chow.
After more laughs, stories, and good times, Keller made the motion to adjourn. Conrad said, “See you here next year, same time.”
“Ed, make sure you show up.”
