THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE … Helen Stewart (front) was presented an American Flag by local veteran post members (back, left to right) Ed Shilling, Greg Hug, and Dan Bonney. (PHOTO PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
By: Jenna Frisby
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jenna@thevillagereporter.com
Helen (Risser) Stewart was born on Tuesday, June 3rd in 1924. This past Monday, she turned the big 100! She was surrounded by her family in celebration on Sunday and the week following was filled with several other birthday celebrations for her.
She grew up with three siblings, two brothers and one stepsister. She was close to her family, but in 1945 her and a friend decided to enlist in the military as WAC’s.
Before her honorable discharge in early 1947 she had made it to the rank of Surgical Technician. Upon her discharge she was also awarded three different awards. Those being: American Campaign Metal, World War II Victory Metal, and Meritorious Unit Award.
It was her time in the military which led her to meeting her husband, Wayne, in 1946. Shortly after her discharge in 1947, they married and moved into the village of Montpelier where they resided for 30 years before moving to West Unity in 1977.
Wayne and Helen had three boys together which then led to them having 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. Wayne passed away in 1987 after 39 years of marriage.
In celebration of her 100th birthday this past week Helen was surrounded by countless family members, friends, and members of the community all who celebrated her monumental birthday.
Her week started with family from all over the country coming to visit her at her granddaughter’s home in Pioneer.
It was at that celebration where Helen was presented with a Quilt of Valors by Carolyn Nagy, the coordinator of the Women’s Veteran’s Initiative out of Maumee, OH. She also presented Helen with a special commemorative military branch coin for her service.
Lastly, Nagy presented Helen with a Military Women’s Memorial Certificate which held a short description of her time in the service. The certification also included a plaque which is displayed inside of Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C.
That plaque allows anyone to scan a QR code which brings up Helen’s photo and allows them to be able to read her story about her life while serving in the military.
On Monday, June 3rd, 2024 Helen officially turned 100 years old. She had visitors that day from several local veteran posts.
100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION … Stewart (middle) sits in front of her Quilt of Valors held by her sons DeWayne Stewart (left) and Jake Stewart (right). The quilt was presented to her at her birthday party by a member of the Women’s Veteran’s Initiative. (PHOTO BY JENNA FRISBY / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
Those visitors included Ed Shilling the commander of the West Unity Post 669, Greg Hug from Bryan Post 284, and Dan Bonney an adjutant from Pioneer Post 307 and also a member for the Williams County Veteran’s Services.
All three gentlemen (Shilling, Hug, and Bonney) presented Helen with an American Flag in honor of her years of service in the military.
Helen’s week began wrapping up by Thursday, but not before the Williams County Commissioners got to honor her at the West Unity Senior Center.
Commissioners Bart Westfall, Terry Rummel, and Lew Hilkert were all present to give Helen a special proclamation.
The commissioners joined Helen during lunch to present her with an honorable Proclamation declaring that June 3rd, 2024 be known as ‘Helen Stewart Day’ in honor of her 100th birthday.
While Helen has had quite an eventful week, you can see in her smile the joy that she had in just being around people.
From her celebration with family to the countless honorable gifts she received Helen simply enjoyed the company of those around her. Whether getting to share a story with someone or getting to eat cake with a friend, Helen has certainly made the best of her time not only this week, but for the last 100 years that she’s been around.