By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
SYACUSE — World War 2 veteran Charlie Garner loves to tell stories of his military experience, including his role at Omaha Beach and the people he was close to.
And that’s what he was expecting when he had a private sit-down with Gov. Mike Braun last week.
Instead, the 102-year-old Syracuse resident received a Sagamore of the Wabash, a statewide honor given by the governor.
“I was so embarrassed when he handed it to me because I thought he’d just came to talk to me about World War 2 experiences,” Garner said. “I had no idea.”
I was just flabbergasted,” he added.
The meeting last Thursday at Garner’s home in Syracuse was arranged in part by former Kosciusko County Commissioner Brad Jackson, who is running for county council in next year’s election.
He and Braun ended up talking for about 45 minutes.
The Sagamore is given to individuals who have made distinguished service or significant contributions to the state. It is Indiana’s highest honor, recognizing recipients for their humanity, loyalty, wisdom, and leadership.
The award is the latest bestowed on the US Army veteran in recent years.
Earlier this year, he was honored by Congressman Rudy Yakym and spent two hours talking with the 2nd District Congressman alongside fellow WW11 veteran Bob Gast during a sitdown in a Warsaw coffee shop.
Garner lives independently in a nice home on a wooded lot in Syracuse.
He remains active, occasionally drives, and moves up and down stairs with relative ease, but wears a security alert around his neck in case he falls (it’s happened a few times).
His home is clean and organized, and he made time on Monday — Laundry Day, he says — to meet with three area reporters and friends to recount the visit with Braun.
Garner who makes homemade jelly and jams presented Braun with some samples.
Garner said Braun thanked him for his service and he thanked Braun for his servicce.
Jackson marvels at how sharp Garner continues to be and considers him a walking encyclopedia on World War 2.
Garner’s stories offer a sense of depth and appreciation and include personal quips about people who were part of his life during that historic era.
On Jan. 1, 1943, he married his first wife, Maybelle. In April of that year, he was one of ten students who were called up and then sent to Fort Harrison for training.
Garner left the service in 1945.
He then started a lengthy teaching career in the area.
On Monday, he remembered a moment when his military life kicked into high gear.
“I was in college down at Indiana Central at the time, and I called my (future) wife and said, ‘I think we’re gonna be called in pretty soon,’ ” Garner recalled. “And over the phone, we decided to get married.”
