Vote In Honor of a Veteran

Meet Dr. Samuel Caplowe, WWII Army Medic (d.), served in the Pacific. A proud dad to Susan Caplowe, Leon Co. SOE Outreach Specialist, he received a Purple Heart and 2 Bronze stars for his bravery as he saved lives during his time in service. “For meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy on USS *** on 2 April 1945, Army Medic Caplowe, although himself injured, was among the first volunteers to report to the sick bay after the USS*** was bombed. Without waiting to have his wounds dressed, he immediately began to administer to a stream of casualties. In spite of the confusion that followed the bombing and the fire, he calmly and efficiently proceeded with medical treatment. Working with only a flashlight for illumination, he showed great initiative in improvising means and methods for emergency treatment. Ignoring the imminent danger of the ship capsizing, Dr. Caplowe administered to the wounded for ten hours without respite. His untiring efforts to alleviate suffering and prevent further loss of life were praised by both army and navy officials.” Dr. Caplowe became a successful Podiatrist in his professional career and raised his family in Wadsworth, Ohio before retiring with his wife, a teacher. Spending the rest of their golden years in Delray Beach enjoying loving visits from Susan, Dr. Caplowe passed at the age of 95. His wife, Millie, was 91.

Meet Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Michael B. Duncan I, proud dad to Monique C. Duncan-Jones, Leon Co. SOE Outreach Coordinator. He is a decorated combat Veteran who served 20 years in the U.S. Army. After graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant from the Florida A&M University Army ROTC program, his first assignment was as platoon leader in South Korea. LTC Duncan went on to serve with First Infantry Division in Vietnam (67-68) during the TET offensive. Monique’s dad earned 3 bronze stars for his service in Vietnam and retired in 1984 and is pictured being pinned by her mother as he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Meet Staff Sergeant Charles Harlan Williams who is the proud father of Karen A. Williams. Sergeant Williams proudly served and sacrificed his life for our country; he passed away 1989 when Karen was 8 months old. He was last stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida.

Meet Donald Jake Coshey, U.S. Army, SFC, Ret., proud Dad of Diana Mitchell, Leon County SOE’s Election Project Manager, who retired from the U.S. Army after 23 years of service. He saw combat twice in Vietnam (65-66, 68-69) in aviation (helicopters) as part of the 1st Squadron (Bullwhip), 9th Calvary serving under COL Stockton. His division flew more combat hours than any other comparably sized unit. Living on bases throughout the world, Diana grew up hearing the "whop-whop-whop" of Huey helicopters overhead and the sound of morning reveille. SFC Coshey later served in the infantry and then retired from Ft Meade, serving as First Sergeant of the Baltimore Military Entrance Processing Command. He and his wife now raise chickens on their farm in NW Florida.

Meet Frank Clover Roll, proud grandfather of Cory Logan, a Leon County SOE Voter Services Specialist. Frank enlisted in the US Navy in WWII at the age of 17. He was then assigned to the USS Atherton, a Navy destroyer escort ship. He saw combat in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. The USS Atherton helped deliver supplies and protect other supply ships crossing the oceans. After WWII ended, Frank left the Navy and found a job with Corning Glass located in NY. He would work there until retirement. Frank and his wife Barb currently live in The Villages and are enjoying retirement. Here is a photo of Frank on the Honor Flight on May 20th 2017.

Larry Allen McLane served in the Vietnam War from 1964 through 1966, and then he was in the reserves for a short time. During his time in the Army he was stationed in Vietnam in August 1965 until he was sprayed with Agent Orange. As a result, he was moved to Japan in December in order to be treated for illness. He was honorably discharged in January 1966.

Joyce McMillian writes, "I entered the service department of Armed Forces and was assigned to The Women’s Army Corp (WAC) located in Anniston, AL. There, I completed 8 weeks of basic training. I was then stationed in Fort Ord, CA, where I completed my AIT training and my MOS was 71B20. I was assigned to Silas B Hayes Army Hospital on Fort Ord as a Ward Clerk. I met and married my first husband, also in the Army, and I became pregnant and opted to early honorable discharge to start a family."

Sgt. Glen T. Swartz, from St. Paul, Minnesota, served as a gunner on B-24's flying out of Italy during WWII. On October 17, 1944, Swartz was part of a crew that participated in a raid on a German ammunition depot at Vienna, Austria. In addition to poor weather over the target, the official after-action reports stated the flak was "heavy, intense, and accurate." Nearing their home field, the aircraft's pilot radioed that they were having some trouble getting the gear down because the hydraulics had been shot out. He advised the tower that the crew had voted to stay with the plane instead of bailing out near the base. An eyewitness stated that flying only a few hundred feet above the ground, while banking to line up with the runway for landing, the plane continued to roll over onto its back and crashed into the ground, killing all ten aboard. Sgt. Swartz was posthumously awarded the Air Medal and, along with one other crew-member, was buried in the Rome-Sicily American Cemetery in Netunno, Italy. He was 19 years old.

Buddy Stewart, Gunnery Sergeant, 1st Division Infantry, U.S. Marine Corps. He is the proud grandfather of William Stewart, Voting Systems Manager. Gy Sgt Stewart is a decorated Korean War Veteran who served with courage and valor as one of the "Chosin Few" in 1950 during the bitter battle of the Chosin Reservoir. The battle in which he fought has been described as the Iwo Jima of North Korea, taking place in the coldest winter seen by the region in 100 years. Stewart's bravery and duty to country is recounted in the stories he now shares with his grand children and great grand children in Tallahassee, Florida.

Richard L. Duley writes, "[I] served in the Vietnam war as a Chinook Helicopter Pilot with the 196th ASHC. Received the Bronze Star for missions during the Cambodian invasion. Native Floridian born in Miami, Florida. Moved to Tallahassee in 1996 to work in the Aviation Office of the FDOT. Volunteered as a poll worker while in Miami and enjoyed being the Deputy and seeing all my neighbors vote. Always liked helping Senator Graham catch up on all the local issues. Started as the Deputy when I moved to Tallahassee and eventually moved up the Clerk position. My military service taught me about freedom. Defended the rights of those hopefully being able to have the privilege of voting. Respect the American flag and consider it an honor to serve as a volunteer to help others vote in Leon County."

After 10 years of service, including 2 tours in Iraq totaling 2 and 1/2 years, Ryan Bruce McKibben came back to Tallahassee and began advocating for veterans' rights from Tallahassee to Washington, D.C. Now active in state politics, he ensures that every campaign he works for includes veterans issues in their policy development.

James Curtis Ratliff was a Lt. Colonel in the US Air Force and served from 1972 to 1993. His daughter, Julie Moodoyan, is voting in his honor: "Thank you, Dad, for all your years of service to our country. I love you!"

Kathy Ann Manders, proud daughter of Air Force veteran Robert Leo McTearnen, writes, "Dad enlisted in the Air Force at 19 years young to serve his country. He was stationed in Munich, Germany and met a beautiful young blonde, our mother Inga. They were married by the Bergermeister in Munich celebrated there with Mom's family in Germany and then celebrated with Dad's family back in the USA. Mom was a stay at home parent and took care of the family. Dad dedicated himself to serving in the Air Force. He was stationed in Detroit, Michigan; Madrid,Spain; Rome, NY; Newfoundland, Canada. He retired at Scott AFB,in Illinois in 1968. Dad rests in peace at Jefferson Barracks cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. since 1998. We miss him daily and are honored to have had his love, guidance, sense of humor, and service to our country to honor his memory! Love you Dad!"

PFC Elmer Rodgers served our country in the U.S. Army in WWII as part of the 664 Medical Unit attached to the 101st Airborne Division. He fought on the beaches of Normandy during the D-Day invasion, the Battle of the Bulge and was on his way to fight in the Pacific Theater until Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender and the ship he was assigned to was turned back toward the United States. He received a Purple Heart for his bravery for going behind enemy lines to aid and rescue wounded soldiers and Marines. He also received many other accolades, awards and commendations.

PFC Walter S. Marowski served in the Army Air Force during WWII from August 1942 – December 1945 as a Diesel Powerman and Photographer. His work as a photographer included photographing and developing film of aerial and ground installations as well as taking pictures for the Public Relations and security purposes. My grandfather was a part of the “greatest generation” who answered the call when our country asked to put the needs of the country above those of the individual and selflessly gave of himself and his family to allow our citizens and many other countries citizens enjoy the freedoms they have today. What short amount of time that I was able to enjoy with my grandfather, I remember fondly. He was always willing to help others and worked tirelessly to provide for his family. Thank you grandpa for being a great example and being a part of the greatest generation. I am grateful for your service to our country.

Jack Owens served his country is the U.S. Army from 1963 through 1965 in Battery C 7th Battalion 8th Artillery in Fort Bliss Texas where he achieved the rank of Specialist. He earned Marksman in both pistol and rifle as well as a Good Conduct before being honorably discharged. My uncle was one of the funniest guys that I knew (and according to my Aunt Pat, he thought he was too). He loved his family and his country and took pride in both. This submission is in honor of Jack and his service to our country. Thank you Uncle Jack for serving our country and loving us. You will never be forgotten.

Phil Hinger bravely served our country in the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1969 in Interior Communications. He was assigned to the USS Sperry (AS-12) and USS Colleton (APB-36) where he was a rescue swimmer on Tango boats in the Mekong Delta from January 1968 - September 1969 during the Viet Nam war. When he got out of the service he was a commercial fisherman and an over the road truck driver in California, before settling in Kansas where he enjoys "retirement" by doing long haul farm equipment transport, building flintlock shotguns and shooting / hunting with his wife Laura.

Larry Sullivan served his country in the United States Army AUS infantry, completing 13 months in Vietnam. Stationed with the HHC 11th Brigade Americal Division, his decorations include: National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and MKM M-14. After completing his tour Larry was honorably discharged, where he moved back to his home state of Kansas. He eventually moved to South Florida where he raised his children Randy, Ricky, Hugo, Nelinda and Brittany. He spent his remaining years cherishing the company of his wife Michelle before he eventually passed away in May of 2017 from Pulmonary Fibrosis which was a product of his exposure to Agent Orange during the war.

Joe Klaban Father of Christopher Klaban current Voting Specialist and Social Media Coordinator for the Supervisor of Elections spent 26 years in the Air Force.

I am the proud and honored mother of Sabion Holmes and a native of Tallahassee, Florida. I served with the 351st/912th AG Company and toured to Iraq (05-06) and Afghanistan (10-11). Medals and honors received: Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/M Device, NATO Medal. Honorably discharged in 2015.