World War II Honoree

Wendell Claude Ayers

Hometown

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Honored By

Charlotte Ayers

Relationship

Sister

ALONG WITH HIS SIBLINGS AND NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS FORMED THE JUNIOR 32ND DIVISION ARMY OF EAST 9TH STREET, MARCHED IN PARADES, BOUGHT WAR BOND STAMPS AT SCHOOL, MADE SMALL VICTORY GARDEN IN PARENTS' GARDEN, WROTE TO FATHER OFTEN WHILE HE WAS IN THE ARMY IN NEW GUINEA. WITH HIS TWO BROTHERS, HIS MOTHER, TWO NEIGHBORHOOD BOYS AND THEIR MOTHERS, DUG INTO AN OLD DUMP AND UNCOVERED SCRAP METAL, ALUMINUM, BRASS, COPPER, IRON, BED SPRINGS, PIECES OF AUTOMOBILE MOTORS AND THE FRAME OF AN OLD TUCK. WHEN LOADED ONTO THE SCRAP COLLECTION TRUCK, THE LOAD WEIGHTED OUT AT 2,280 POUNDS.