• Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor

Hartselle Enquirer
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Public Records
  • Madison County Record
  • Madison Living Magazine
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
  • Contact Us
  • Services
  • About Us
  • List of Locations
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a News Tip
  • Submit a Photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Engagement Announcement
  • Wedding Announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letter to the Editor
    Hartselle Enquirer
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
    Vets visit Hawaii with Forever Young Senior Veterans
    Members of Forever Young Senior Veterans yielding a salute from Hawaii are, from left, John Kuhn, World War II; Billy Neal, Korea War; Major Wooten, World War II; and Otis Brannon, World War II. CONTRIBUTED
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, Z - News Main
     By  GreggParker Published 
    10:30 pm Monday, June 25, 2018

    Vets visit Hawaii with Forever Young Senior Veterans

    MADISON – Four senior veterans from Alabama traveled to Honolulu for a seven-day trip to revisit Pearl Harbor and other military sites.

    Otis Brannon, John Kuhn, Billy Neal and Major Wooten joined 15 other veterans along with several volunteers from the Forever Young Senior Veterans organization. Many of these veterans served in the Pacific during World War II.

    Forever Young Senior Veterans paid all trip expenses. The organization sponsors events and trips for veterans 65 years and older to bring memories, comfort and healing to the veterans that served in the country’s wars.

    “In many cases, veterans experience great emotional moments and return home with a renewed spirit that may act as closure from some of the most intense aspects of war,” spokesperson Tom McKinney said. “Such was the case of Navy Boatswain’s Mate First Class John Kuhn on this trip.”

    “John was determined to make the trip, even though he had some serious health issues before the trip that required hospitalizations and rehab sessions. John’s determination prevailed, and he joined the other Alabama veterans on the trip,” McKinney said. The group departed for Hawaii on May 3.

    Kuhn’s service in World War II involved driving a Higgins Boat (troop landing craft) and delivering Marines to various beachheads where war was raging. “John spent as much as nine months out in the Pacific on the Higgins Boat. At one point, his armada was bombed for 32 straight nights,” McKinney said.

    A particularly horrific incident occurred during the Invasion of Tarawa. “John’s boat hit a reef and stopped. The ramp deployed, and many of the charging Marines drowned because the water was too deep,” McKinney said.

    “The landing at Tarawa was one of the bloodiest battles of World War II,” McKinney said. “The troops on the landing craft were fearful they could all be killed. John told them he would be back to bring them home.”

    “Later, Kuhn, donned in Marine Corps gear and weaponry, went on the beach and helped bury the bodies,” he said. “John’s experience in Tarawa caused him recurring nightmares for 72 years.”

    Today, Kuhn’s condition would be diagnosed as a symptom of PTSD.

    On the current trip, Punchbowl Cemetery was their first destination. “Chris Batte, coordinator of Forever Young Senior Veterans of Alabama, engaged an official who explained he was on a project to exhume bodies from the Pacific islands, including Tarawa, and return those bodies to the Punchbowl for proper burial,” McKinney said.

    The official and Kuhn eventually met. “John knew where the bodies were buried and identified via GPS the places on Tarawa where he and others buried the bodies,” McKinney said.

    The official recounted that 20 bodies had been exhumed recently from Tarawa and returned to the Punchbowl. Bodies were wrapped in wool blankets before burial. Officials found evidence of those blankets when bodies were exhumed. “Those Marines did make it home to U.S. soil,” McKinney said.

    Batte and the veterans witnessed a transformation for Kuhn during the trip. Batte asked Kuhn if knowing that the troops were returned to Punchbowl would help his nightmares. Kuhn said, “I dreamed about it last night but it wasn’t a nightmare.” 

    “John Kuhn smiled, as did Chris and the other Alabama senior veterans making the trip,” McKinney said.

    For more information or to donate, visit http://www.foreveryoungvets.org/alabama/.  

    Also on The Madison Record
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Madison County Record, News, Sports, ...
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Bob Labbe 
    July 2, 2025
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    Journey Middle agrees on Chelsea Young as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Journey Middle agrees on Chelsea Young as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    MADISON – When Chelsea Young moved to Madison in 2016, Madison City Schools held “a reputation for academic excellence and for one of the best distric...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Columbia recognizes Annabel Richter as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Columbia recognizes Annabel Richter as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    MADISON – Annabel Richter’s work can confirm that a student has a solid path to a well-rounded education. Columbia Elementary School’s faculty and sta...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    ‘Because of Jesus’ summer camp nurtures 130 youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Summer camp
    ‘Because of Jesus’ summer camp nurtures 130 youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    MADISON - A local church’s special event connected on a personal level with 130-plus children who celebrated faith and friendship. Starting summer in ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Little Booths Market Day to premiere for young retailers
    Living, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
    Little Booths Market Day to premiere for young retailers
    Downtown event to premiere in July for young entrepreneurs
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    MADISON – A special event for young, aspiring entrepreneurs and vendors will debut with Little Booths Market Day on July 12. Little Booths Market Day ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    TARCOG asks for input on services that benefit senior citizens
    Living, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
    TARCOG asks for input on services that benefit senior citizens
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    HUNTSVILLE - Top of Alabama Regional Council of Government or TARCOG wants your input. Affiliated with TARCOG, the Area Agency on Aging is conducting ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Heart of the Valley YMCA hires Rob Gray as president
    Living, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
    Heart of the Valley YMCA hires Rob Gray as president
    gregg@themadisonrecord.com 
    June 25, 2025
    By GREGG PARKER MADISON COUNTY -- Heart of the Valley YMCA has appointed a new president to lead the organization. Rob Gray has accepted the position ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    Madison County Record, News, Sports, ...
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    Bob Labbe 
    June 18, 2025
    MADISON- The Rocket City Trash Pandas has made a series of player moves including Mitch Daly. The Bob Jones High graduate and only local player to sui...

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ❮ ❯
    Get Legals or Public Notices Published
    Latest Local News
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    July 2, 2025
    Journey Middle agrees on Chelsea Young as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Journey Middle agrees on Chelsea Young as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    MADISON – When Chelsea Young moved to Madison in 2016, Madison City Schools held “a reputation for academic excellence and for one of the best distric...
    June 25, 2025
    Columbia recognizes Annabel Richter as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Columbia recognizes Annabel Richter as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    MADISON – Annabel Richter’s work can confirm that a student has a solid path to a well-rounded education. Columbia Elementary School’s faculty and sta...
    June 25, 2025
    ‘Because of Jesus’ summer camp nurtures 130 youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    ‘Because of Jesus’ summer camp nurtures 130 youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    MADISON - A local church’s special event connected on a personal level with 130-plus children who celebrated faith and friendship. Starting summer in ...
    June 25, 2025
    Little Booths Market Day to premiere for young retailers
    Little Booths Market Day to premiere for young retailers
    MADISON – A special event for young, aspiring entrepreneurs and vendors will debut with Little Booths Market Day on July 12. Little Booths Market Day ...
    June 25, 2025

    More Local News

    Our Latest E-edition
    Read the most recent edition
    Latest Stories
    School leaders urge parents for feedback about rezoning
    School leaders urge parents for feedback about rezoning
    MADISON – With their continuous honors, Madison City Schools students have proven their mastery of the ‘three Rs – Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic.’ H...
    June 18, 2025
    MVP urges everyone to turn out for ‘Big Weekend of Service’
    MVP urges everyone to turn out for ‘Big Weekend of Service’
    MADISON – Madison Visionary Partners or MVP invites all ages, backgrounds and aptitudes to join hometown volunteer forces during the Big Weekend of Se...
    June 18, 2025
    For 6th year, Matt Curtis Real Estate named no. 1 in state
    For 6th year, Matt Curtis Real Estate named no. 1 in state
    HUNTSVILLE - For the sixth consecutive year, Matt Curtis Real Estate has been ranked as the no. 1 real estate team in Alabama. In addition, this team ...
    June 18, 2025
    Bob Jones student wins in NYC challenge for musical theatre
    Bob Jones student wins in NYC challenge for musical theatre
    MADISON – For his talent in composition, Karsten Wallace of Madison is a winner in the 2024-2025 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School...
    June 18, 2025
    Liberty student among finalists in National Science Bee
    Liberty student among finalists in National Science Bee
    MADISON – His solid, technical background earned Ryan Ranjan a top place in the 2025 National Science Bee, organized by International Academic Competi...
    June 18, 2025
    poll
    Latest Sports
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    July 2, 2025
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    MADISON- The Rocket City Trash Pandas has made a series of player moves including Mitch Daly. The Bob Jones High graduate and only local player to sui...
    June 18, 2025
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    MADISON - Since birth, Mitch Daly has always been on the move as his father, Ed, is a four-star general in the U.S. Army causing him to pack up his wi...
    May 26, 2025
    Thousands expected for Memorial Day’s Cotton Row Run
    Thousands expected for Memorial Day’s Cotton Row Run
    HUNTSVILLE - The Cotton Row Run is a community event. The annual Memorial Day extravaganza, held in downtown Huntsville, again this year will attract ...
    May 20, 2025
    Madison Academy girls surge into soccer finals
    Madison Academy girls surge into soccer finals
    HUNTSVILLE – Madison Academy entered the state soccer tournament scoreless in three previous games at John Hunt Park, including against Donoho last se...
    May 9, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Business
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Business
      • Sponsored Content

    Other Publications

    Madison Living Logo Living 50 Plus Logo

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © , The Madison Record