Keith J Clinton was born in a small farm town in Ada, Michigan, on October 16, 1922.  In 1941 Keith left his parents and two sisters to join the US Army.  Basic training took him to Miami Beach, Florida.  He was then sent to Tendel Field, Panama, Florida for gunnery training, and then 4 months of airplane mechanic training at Sheperd Field, Wichita Falls, Texas. He met his crew in Salt Lake City, Utah at Hill Air Force Base where they spent many hours training before being sent to Grand Island, Nebraska to wait for a plane, which would take them to England.

 

The flight to England was filled with delays due to snow in Newfoundland and again in Iceland.  They finally made it to Ireland only to have their plane taken away for bombing missions.  Keith and his crew had to take a boat to England and then a train to Bovington.  Then it was on to Norwich for gunnery and mission flying practice.  Finally, after all of the training completed, the crew moved to Watton, England, Station 376.  Keith became part of the 25th bomb group.

 

While Keith was in England, Evelyn Gladys Parker enlisted in the US Army and was stationed at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia for her basic training.  Evelyn was born April 24, 1923 in Summerville, MA.  At the time Evelyn enlisted her family was living in East Waterboro, Maine.  After her basic training she was sent to Channute Field, IL as a supply clerk.  Her job was to find lost items, such as, chairs, tables, and even airplane motors. (How do you lose and airplane motor?)

 

Meanwhile, back in England, Keith had survived being shot down and a plane crash. He was shipped home after the almost fatal, crash in Watton, England.  He was to be stationed at Channute Field to work on airplanes.  It was here that “love in the military” was soon to be born.

 

It was Evelyn’s first time at the NCO Club with friends.  The place was filled with army men and women seeking a little relaxation.  One of her friends knew one of the men at the other table and so they all started talking.  Keith and Evelyn saw each other that night and a few more times and did a lot of talking. 

 

After dating a while, Keith took Evelyn to see a Michigan vs Illinois football game in Champagne, IL.  It was here that Evelyn was introduced to Keith’s two sisters from Ada, Michigan.

 

After 1 year and 9 months, Evelyn was to be discharged at Fort Dix on Dec 2. After her discharge she went to Ada, MI to visit Keith and his family.  It was here that Keith proposed and presented her with a diamond at Christmas.  For New Years they went to a midnight movie and Keith wore a bow tie that flashed.

 

Keith and Evelyn were married on July 7, 1946 in the United Methodist Church in Godwin Mills, Maine.  They then moved back to Grand Rapids, Michigan where they lived for the last 67 years.  They have four children Adele, Greg (Lizette), Loraine (Greg) and Jerald (Jennifer), 6 granddaughters (Nikki, Crissy, Erin, Jessica, Jade, and Janina), 3 great-grand daughters (Zoee, Caydence and Isabella), and 3 great-grandsons (Brecken, Wyatt, and Graysen).

 

We want you to know how very proud we are of you - not just for serving and defending our great country, but being an example of an American and showing us unconditional Christ-like love.  You have supported, encouraged and guided us every step of the way.  Even though we are all grown, with our own families, you are still there guiding and loving.  We thank God everyday for such great parents and just wanted you to know that God, during wartime, brought two people together to serve Him and give all of those they come in contact with a little glimpse of His Love.

 

Thanks Mom and Dad for more than words will ever say.