Covington men are among oldest surviving WWII veterans

World War II veterans and Covington residents Sam Ford and Jim Robinson never met during the war fought by their "Greatest Generation," but at 99 and 103 years of age, respectively, these oldest members of the Robert H. Burns American Legion Post 16 recently learned recently that they have much in common.

The centenarian and slightly younger nonagenarian both played key roles as radiomen and Morse Code operators during the big war.

Robinson, a major in the Army Air Corps (which became the Air Force), manned radio and weather stations in Iceland and Greenland. And while Ford’s broken eardrum kept him from becoming a pilot, he joined the Navy and as a radio operator for the Pacific front that operated from bases across the U.S., including the Great Lakes, California and Gulfport, Miss.

The pair also both received a personal viewing of American Legion Post 16’s newly-expanded and reorganized Military Museum, which began with a few donated items after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It will open to the public July 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a brief program and reception at the post home, 2031 Ronald Reagan Highway, in Covington.

The two vets have shared admiration for the space that is preserving such important history, and both said they loved that it leaves a legacy for younger generations to experience the photographs, memorabilia and impact of World War II without leaving St. Tammany.

“In general, people need to know more about the war and remember about it,” said Ford. “The library they have collected here is amazing. There is so much to look at.”

Members of the public are actually able to borrow those books as part of a lending library system.

Robinson encouraged area residents to take the time to visit the post and linger among the items in the museum. “Too many kids haven’t seen these things or have just heard a little from school. They need to come take a look.”

Among the items that line the walls and fill a once empty meeting room at the American Legion post are flags, photos, statues, uniforms, medals, patches, ration books, news articles, maps and certificates. There are machine guns and bullets, including some weapons and a belt from a German soldier in World War I.

The museum features other wars including the Vietnam and Korean wars, World War I and the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Photos and certificates honor past American Legion Post 16 members and their families.

Former Post 16 commander Dennis Charlesworth said the museum began when members began bringing in items they found in attics and old scrapbooks in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “It grew from there. We saw it as an opportunity to make our mark on history,” he said.

“We think this is the coolest place in the coolest city,” said current commander Vossey Quarterman. “This museum is a fantastic effort, and what a pleasure to serve our community.”

Robinson, whose brother, an Army Air Corps bombardier, was killed when his plane was shot down over the English Channel, said he still tinkers as an amateur radio operator. He said he can still do Morse Code, although not as well as he used to. “At one time I was up to 40 words a minute,” he said.

Ford said the museum at the American Legion home feels personal since he grew up as the son of a World War I veteran who played an active role in his American Legion post in Jasper, Ala., where Ford grew up.

“As a teenager I would go with Dad to the Legion Hall and go to dances there. It became like a second home. Now, the Covington hall is like a second home to me, too,” he said.

Charlesworth said anyone can donate World War II memorabilia to American Legion Post 16 for consideration in the museum. He said if the material is of national significance, they will be donated to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.