Tag: Veterans

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Veteran of the Month – Joe Taylor

Joseph Taylor was born in 1948 and grew up in the Oxford Circle area attending St. Martin of Tours grade school and Cardinal Dougherty High School.

After High School, he attended a local Technical School and completed a 12-month course in basic electronics and immediately landed a job as an Electronics Technician to trouble shoot color TV’s at the Philco Television assembly plant at “C” and Tioga Streets in the Kensington area of Philadelphia.

While working at Philco, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy Reserve in October 1967 and within a month he was asked to join the Naval Security Group and began his journey as a Communication / Cryptologic Technician.  By Dec 1967 he was off to Boot Camp.

He completed his Navy, Communication Technician, “A” School, training in Pensacola Florida and after a back-ground investigation, he received his Top-Secret Security clearance.

During the Viet Nam era Joe’s first duty station was the U.S. Naval Communications Station at San Miguel in the Philippines.  He was also stationed at the U.S.  NSGA, (Naval Security Group Activity), Hakata, Japan. He attained the rank of E-5, Rating CTR2, and Petty Officer Second class and was separated from active duty in July of 1970 with final discharges from the Reserves in October of 1973.

After his military duty, he continued working in the electronics field, specializing with Test and Measurement Equipment and has held a variety positions during his career.  He was a Repair and Calibration Technician, Supervisor, Technical Sales, Lab Manager and Branch Manager. While working full time he attended night school at St. Joseph’s University.  His efforts paid off with BS in Business Management.

Joe enjoys helping people and now has started a second career as a customer service representative for the Internal Revenue Service.  He has been married for 42 years to his wife Maureen. They have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

Joe is very active in the Frankford area as a member of” Keep the Faith in Frankford” and volunteers at St. Mark’s Church in the “Dining with Dignity” program.  He is active with 15th District PDAC and Town Watch, Eyes & Ears program as well.

Joe Taylor, we thank you for your service!!!

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100 Years Ago Today

April 6, 1917, two days after the U.S. Senate voted 82 to 6 to declare war against Germany, the U.S. House of Representatives endorsed the declaration by a vote of 373 to 50, and America formally entered World War I. 

More than 20 young men from frankford died in the war or as a result of the flu epidemic that began during that time.  It was called the War to End All Wars but it lead to World War 2 and even more carnage.

These are a few of their stories below.

Joseph Alexander Coyle

Joseph Alexander Coyle was born on January 6, 1892 and lived at 1325 sellers. He was a shipping clerk at S.W. Evans and Son on Paul Street when he was inducted into the army on May 25, 1918. He was serving with Company K of the 315th Infantry, 79th Division when he was wounded on August 28, 1918 and died of pneumonia October 28, 1918. He is buried in St. Joachim Cemetery in Frankford.

Walter Carroll Brinton was born on January 2, 1894 and lived at 4540 Adams Ave.  His father was a surveyor for the city and his mother was Elizabeth Smedley, sister of Franklin Smedley.  He worked as a clerk for the Mitter Lock Company on Tacony Street in Frankford when he registered for the draft, however he claimed exemption as a Quaker.  Even though he was a Conscientious Objector, He applied for a passport in September of 1917 to travel to France for a 2 year period to work for the American Friends Reconstruction.  He died December 8, 1918 at “Sermaize-les-Bains, Departement de la Marne, Champagne-Ardenne”, France and is buried in the Friends Ground Cemetery in Frankford.

Elmer J. Needham

Elmer J. Needham was born March 18, 1886 in Philadelphia.  His family lived at 1314 Unity Street.  He was a clerk/salesman.  On May 5, 1918 he applied for a passport to go to France in the American Red Cross, He was a 2nd lieutenant when he died on October 10, 1918.  He is buried in France.

Charles Harold Redman was born on  May 5, 1891 and baptized at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.  He lived at 4629 Tackawanna Street.  He was a meat cutter, married with a wife and child. He was inducted into the Army on April 25, 1918 and served in Company E, 146th Infantry  He was killed in action on September 27, 1918. He is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

There will be more stories coming out in a book to be published next month.

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Veteran of the Month Larry Andrews

Larry Andrews was born on December 30, 1937.  He attended Smedley Elementary and Harding Junior High School and received his G.E.D. from the United States Army in June of 1957.

He enlisted in the Army in June of 1955 and successfully completed basic training and served in the 82nd Airborne Division.  He was discharged from active duty in January of 1958.

Larry boxed with the Golden Gloves and played Bass in the Army.  He passed away in October of 1982.

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Veteran of the Month Don Donaldson

Don Donaldson was born on April 19, 1954 in Anderson, South Carolina. He was raised in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Don was educated in the Philadelphia school system, attending Smedley Elementary, Harding Junior High and Frankford High School.

Don was baptized and active member of Northeast Baptist Church. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1972. He finished his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina. Later he was shipped out to various Oriental tours like Japan, Korea and Vietnam. While serving his duties, he received various awards and was promoted to E5 (sergeant). Don was honorably discharged in 1976.

Don became a sheet metal worker at Progressor Metal Company for numerous years.  Don loved doing community work and volunteer work. While doing cleanup work around the Frankford Avenue area on a volunteer basis, he was recognized for his great work by Kim Washington of the NAC program who felt that a veteran who served this community should be compensated for his time and he was hired as a paid employee.

So, when you see Don up and around the Avenue keeping the area nice, show your appreciation for his service in the military and in the hood.

“Hoo Rah, Don”

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Veteran of the Month Clyde Lem Hairston

Clyde Lem Hairston was born on November 15, 1930 in Martinsville, Virginia. Clyde was educated in the Martinsville public schools and Charity Christian Church. Clyde enlisted in the United States Army in 1951. While serving, he received numerous awards and certificates and was honorably discharged in 1953.

Clyde moved to Philadelphia and was an employee at Messinger Bearing Company for many years. He became a faithful member of Northeast Baptist Church located in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Clyde left Philadelphia and moved to Wadesboro, North Carolina and was employed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation for many years and retired. Clyde, after two years of retirement, went back to work and was employed by Tyson foods company of Monroe, North Carolina. Clyde was a dedicated husband and family man and loved by all who knew him. Client was also a veteran member of Lloyd C. Wilson American Legion Post 224 in the Frankford section.

Clyde Lem Hairston, rest in peace.