Michelle Geter
Description
Michelle Geter (52) honors 11 military veterans whose names are not featured on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' National Cemetery Administration website. Additionally, Michelle discusses the importance of recognizing people who have served in the military.Subject Log / Time Code
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- Michelle Geter
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Partnership
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Transcript
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00:00 States, Friday, July 2nd, 2021. My name is Michelle geter. My age is 52. I live here in Clinton, South Carolina. I am remembering veterans who served in World War 1 and World War II from Joanna, South Carolina, in Lawrence. That's Laurens County, South Carolina. Whose names do not appear on the website of the National Cemetery, administration of the Veterans Administration. The website, States information on Veterans, buried, in private cemeteries, was collected for the purpose of Furnishing government grave markers, and we do not have information available for burials prior to 1997 names. Cannot be added to the listing. If a government grave marker was not furnished for the grave, or if the existing
01:00 Government Gregg Markowitz furnished prior to 1997. These government, grave markers were furnished before 1997. I emailed 2016, Republican presidential candidate Senator Lindsey Graham says he serves on the armed services committee to request at veterans to be added to National Registry. My request was denied. So when I hurt storycorps, honoring veterans, I had to email the team and thank them for doing what I could not get my Senator to do again. Thank you storycorps beginning with World War II, private Arthur sermons serving in the 371st Infantry Regiment 93rd division, born February, 15th, 1894 and died, July 10th 1952.
02:00 Prophet James satellite serving in the 371st and 4th Infantry, Regiment 93rd Division and died, July 20th and January. 23rd 1938 private first class James D. Little served in the 303rd, still a door regimen. Quartermaster Corps, born June 10th, 1887 and died. September 7th 1963 private Craig, Gary Singer served in the 156 Depot, shade born, November 10th, 1896 and died. January 19th, 1968.
02:53 Private Judson Hopkins served in the 156, Depot Brigade, born June 11th, 1893 and July 26th, 1947 Corporal, William McCracken served in the 60th Pioneer infantry company. Born, November 18th, 1895 and died November 27th. 1965.
03:25 Private John, Jay James served in the US Army, born April, 10th, 1896 and died, February 21st, 1967 to honor the war war veterans.
03:43 Stewart's, mate, first class, petty officer, George Washington Smith, served in the US Navy on September 21st, 1913 and died, February 6th, 1985 private first class, Arthur Johnson served in the 398th. Infantry, Regiment. 4370. Quartermaster Bakery Company. Born June 13th, 1914 and died. June 29th. 1972. Stewart, mate, first class petty officer Woodson, Wesley.
04:25 Served in the US Navy on April 1st, 1926 and died, August 12th, 1988. Abled, demon, Gustavo young, served in the US Navy. Born, August 10th, 1922 and died, February 8th 1972. Again, thank you storycorps for allowing me to share this remembrance of those veterans serving in World War 1 and World War II.
05:10 I have a question for you. I'd like to know why you think it's important for Americans, to remember the lives of veterans. And why you think it's important that these specific veterans lives are memorialized.
05:31 Well, specifically, All Veterans as Senator Graham? Return to email stating.
05:44 These veterans are not listed on the national National grave. Locator found on the Veterans Administration website, those persons who are seeking relatives, who have served in their country, sir for the country.
06:09 Would be interested in knowing the legacy of those who served before they did or served with me as part of.
06:20 Serving this country.
06:29 I really appreciate that. You want to shed light on this and do you have any advice for people who are interested? In also highlighting, certain veterans, that happened to memorialize grave website?
06:50 Suggestions.
06:53 As a matter of fact, storycorps is a great one to memorialize them. But as I stated earlier because the Veterans Administration National grave, locator does not have them listed. It is just a dishonor for not having them listed. I just see it just disrespecting their service on, they served in the past. They need to be honored for generations to come as as we all know, we're all leaving here, one of these days and because we want to recognize those persons who, who served we cannot forget their service and for the
07:43 Veterans Administration website to read that. They would not add those who did serve again, dishonoring, and it's not just the cemetery in small-town, Joanna, South Carolina, but cemeteries Church cemeteries across this country and small towns. And as I told you earlier, that sound was so small that we ended up with our first traffic light in 2,000 in the year, two thousand. So I just represent a small towns everywhere. Representing those churches that have the cemeteries with veteran who served in World War 1 World War II or before those Wars again.
08:39 It just hurt that the government is disrespecting the veterans service by not adding them. And the simple Act of having that verify through your local National Guard service National Guard. Service person could actually go to the site of the grave and confirm. Yes, that that's government grave marker is here. And yes, that's Soldier did serve our country and because it's been verified by a service person. That is a great way to confirm that that service. And who knows someone listening to this may be living in New York on California and remember a story from way back when and they're able to
09:39 Go to the VA website type in some information and find their relatives.
09:48 Do you have a personal connection to the military? Have you or anyone that you loved ever served in the military?
09:57 Yes, my my uncle is served in World War II. And I remember my mom story in regards to him returning home injured. He was injured in battle and growing up. I do remember seeing him with the limp when he walked? So on my mom's side, and I'm looking.
10:27 As I was researching, these names Johnson could be a relative of mine. I don't know in which way, but on my dad side, my my grandmother's maiden name Johnson, so
10:50 I can see how because you have family member, who is a veteran. It's important to you. Because you saw the pain that he experienced while serving this country to see why it's important to you. That other veterans who were going to very traumatic situations are also honored even in their desk and I think that's really cool.
11:18 I'm wondering.
11:23 Can you tell me about some more important people in your family and how they shaped you?
11:30 Wow.
11:33 Now this will fill up a few days. I have so many people that have shaped my life. So I don't even know where to I guess I'll begin with my parents. They think shake me into doing what's right. You see a wrong? Try to correct it with if it's within your power, if you know, persons who are able to write the wrong on contact them.
12:07 To let them know what what, what, what? What is happening. So I guess I'll begin with my parents. Gosh. There's a church with every single employment situation. I've had, I've met excellent people.
12:30 Even meeting you. Hello. As a matter of fact, I appreciate your kindness, and, and, and the environment that I'm working in. Like I said, this, my first time doing it, and you make me feel so comfortable and thank you again, storycorps, for what you do for, for the country.
12:51 Absolutely. Wonderful. I'm sure your parents would be very proud of you and the the work that you're doing today to have these people on earth.
13:01 Is there anything else you'd like to share?
13:06 No, I'm pretty cool. I just wanted to, I mean, seriously veterans who served in early Awards and the fact that the government is just the 9 damn this recognition. And it's so simple to solve. So simple to solve National Guard officer goes to the website, go to the grave site, confirm the government issued grave marker. Go back to their office or right there on their laptop, type it in. That's all, that's all. I'm asking. Just respect those who, who, who, who served, especially in these small towns, like my small town than small towns across the country. The song. It's just buried before, 1997, again out our future, depends on it. I mean, is we
14:05 We don't want to disrespect their service by not honoring them. And again, thank you storycorps for doing this. Like I lower a I ask told her my letter from Senator Graham. I've kept it in my wallet for five years and I I was just so excited.
14:31 But they can start do something. Even though ya again, I'm just excited that you know, what? Even if this published, just meeting you love Loray and just sharing it. I just feel better. Somebody out there knows, there's a list of veterans. This lady in South Carolina, wants to share this all. So thank you for the time. Alright, I appreciate it.