Brasstown – Little Brasstown Baptist Church was the location of a special ceremony honoring veteran Ralph Myers, who spent two years in the U.S. Army and four years in the reserve.
The Sept. 12 ceremony opened with American Legion Post 96 in Murphy presenting the colors, followed by the folding of a U.S. flag while each of the 13 folds were explained. The flag will be placed in a triangle-shaped display box donated by Opal and Frank Rose and their daughter, Theresa. The flag will be given to Myers once engraving has been completed.
A quiet and humble man, Myers gently accepted a colorful quilt made by Susan Roper. Accompanied by family members, Myers said he does not see himself as a hero or deserving of the beautiful gift placed on his lap by Cherokee County Commissioner Jan Griggs.
Myers is one of the oldest living World War II veterans, having served as a peacekeeper while stationed in Italy with an anti-tank battalion from 1945-47.
Myers, who said he’s 98 years and four days old, was married for 72 years, three months and 10 days before the passing of his wife.
His secret to marital longevity: “You need to love each other before you start,” Myers said. He has three grown children.
His advice to youth entering the military today is, “Be careful who you pick as your friends.”
When asked how he felt about receiving the quilt in his honor, Myers said, “When I think about heroes, I talk about my uncle we lost in the first world war a month before the war ended, and a cousin on D-Day who was reported missing on June 9 and was a POW for the rest of the war. Those are the ones in my family that need honor.”
There were about 50 people in attendance, with a luncheon that followed.