EDITOR'S NOTES: Some stories are harder to tell than others  

Early in my journalism career, I was assigned the job of obituary editor of a large newspaper out West. In that role I was directed to “punch up” some of the more bland obituaries and give readers better insight into the dearly departed.

While on such a mission, I came upon an extra bland obituary that contained almost no detail other than the individual was the recipient of a Bronze Star while serving in World War II.

I had to know more about Mr. Joy Ayres.

My queries often took me to local cemeteries to glean any information that may provide details on headstones. Often you can find additional names, dates, sometimes poetry, so I drove out to a small but meticulously groomed ceremony and began wandering among the “Ayres family gravesites.

Across the cemetery from Mr. Ayres grandparent’s marker, two small American flags had been pushed into the dirt next to a headstone. I had found Mr. Ayres.

A treble clef and a rose were carved into the granite next to his name and the date of his death — Independence Day, 2008.

Many people attending the Aug. 2 funeral service expected little more than a simple ceremony for a simple man who moved away from home to serve in World War II.

But after “Taps” was played and the flag that draped the casket was given to Waldtraut “Val” Ayres, his wife of 48 years, word began to spread about the man who served his country in three wars.

Joy, known by most people as a gentle man who loved to grow roses and listen to fine music, was born in a small Idaho town in 1914. He retired from service in 1970 at the age 56, serving for 24 years with the Army.

He worked as a medic and later in the finance corps.

Among the ribbons he wore on his uniform was a red ribbon with a single blue stripe, signifying he was decorated by the Army with a Bronze Star for heroic or meritorious action in conflict.

An oak leaf cluster he wore with his medal showed that it was the second time during his service in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam that he had been decorated with the honor.

An Army Commendation Medal, again with an oak leaf cluster, shows his sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Val told me that besides his medals and some handwritten journals, she had only limited information about his service.

“He never talked about it,” Val said.

The two met and married soon after the end of the Korean War while Joy was stationed in Berlin.

Another assignment took the couple back to America for a short time, but war soon took him to the other side of the world again.

Joy served in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive in 1968 when the North Vietnamese army made a massive surge in an attempt to crush the South Vietnamese army and its allies.

A simple journal entry in his personal papers reads, “3 Jan. ‘68 “The Year of TET” - 4 Feb. ‘69, U.S. Army, Pacific (Vietnam).”

More medals — including the Vietnam Gallantry Cross given by South Vietnam to soldiers honoring deeds of valor in battle — recognize his service there.

Joy came home from war for the last time in January 1970 and went to work for a library district in Olympia, Wash.

His focus turned to Val, who sang opera as a young woman before the war destroyed Berlin.

“He loved good music. And we attended the opera often,” said Val. She chuckled and then said, “I wouldn’t have married him if he didn’t.”

Val also said Joy loved to play the piano. “It was his second hobby,” she said.

The two started growing roses and became well known for their work with the Centennial Rose Garden in downtown Olympia, Washington.

Joy and his wife raised the money for the garden, which today contains a collection of about 100 varieties of roses.

Although his 93 years took him around the world many times, Joy was returned home to be buried among the dozens of family members representing six generations of Ayres in a tiny Idaho cemetery.

David Kennard is the interim editor of The Bladen Journal and executive editor of The Robesonian in Robeson County. Contact him by email at dkennard@robesonian.com. 

EDITOR'S NOTES: On election, make voting a family affair 

Mothers teach us lots of things. Mine taught me to vote.

From my earliest memories, I recall my mother serving as an election judge. The voting precinct for my neighborhood was my elementary school. So, on every Election Day, I could count on seeing my mother sitting behind a desk outside the principal’s office helping people cast their vote.

Election Day will be forever tied to memories of my mother and the lessons of civic responsibility that she taught me.

With a General Election upon us, I can hear my mother again reminding me to get out and vote.

Likewise, my father was the example that taught me the sacred nature of voting. Dad took a keen interest in elections and made sure I was a part of the voting process, often taking me with him as he marked his ballot.

His process of preparing for an election was almost ritualistic. He read newspapers, listened to the debates on the radio and television.

Dad almost always voted Republican, but he told me that I should understand the issues before I cast my vote for either party.

By the time I turned 18, voting had become almost second nature. It was a proud moment for both my parents to see me walk into the voting booth and pull that lever for the first time.

As Nov. 8 approaches those who wish to vote have many options to participate in the midterm election.

If we survive the rhetoric war, we may get through this highly contested midterm race.

Perhaps the dirtiest mudslinging is taking part in the race for a US Senate seat in North Carolina.

Cheri Beasley and Ted Budd have been going at it for weeks, each with campaign ads targeting the failures of their respective opponents.

Just once, I’d love to hear something like, “My opponent has served our state honorably, but I’m running because I have fresh ideas that will benefit North Carolina.”

A story in Thursday’s Charlotte Observer reported that the two have agreed to a debate.

“Beasley ‘is prepared and ready to meet Congressman Budd on his preferred debate stage — because she believes that every North Carolinian deserves to see the clear choice before them this Fall,’” said Travis Brimm, Beasley’s campaign manager.

Here at the paper, we’ll be watching the elections closely and we’ll be reporting throughout the day. Coverage, of course, will include statewide data as it comes in from the state.

Here are some key dates regarding the Nov. 8 election.

Sept. 9: The date by which the Robeson County boards of elections must make available absentee ballots. Note: You can vote absentee now if you are registered.

Oct. 14: Civilian voter registration deadline.This is the second most important day in the upcoming election. If you don’t register, you cannot vote. However if you miss the Oct. 14 deadline, you can still register when the one-stop early voting is available.

Oct. 20: One-stop, in-person early voting period begins. At this time you can still register if you have the required documents.

If you are like me, and are a relative newcomer to the state, time is running out

Nov. 1: Deadline for civilians to submit an absentee ballot request form.

Nov. 5: One-stop, in-person early voting period ends at 3 p.m.

Nov. 8: Election Day and civilian absentee ballot return deadline.

A note from the editor: When Election Day eventually arrives, it’s important to understand who you’re voting for before you go to vote. (Do you see how I am channeling my father there?)

Mother would say the same thing.

Mom’s gone now and my old elementary school where she helped so many people fulfill their civic responsibility is now a Jewish community center. But last I checked, the voting booths still appear there every Election Day.

Please register and vote.

David Kennard is the executive editor of the Robesonian. Contact him by email at dkennard@robesonian.com.