Saluting our Veterans

Franklin Roop of Lakewell Place
92-year-old Franklin Roop served as a Corporal in the United States Army, touring Europe during WWII. Franklin, along with 18,000 troops, departed for Germany January 1st, 1945 on the Queen Mary. He was a part of the 3rd Calvary that landed in Austria. It was the coldest winter in the history of Germany so when the Jeeps could not travel through the snow, they patrolled on captured German horses. He was present in Germany for one of General Patton’s speeches and remembers how he always carried pearl-handled revolvers. After the Army, Franklin became an ordained minister in 1951 and ministered for 65 years. Franklin has 3 children. His son followed behind him as a minister. His grandson Jonah followed Franklin into the military and is a 2nd Lt. in the United States Air Force along with his wife 2nd Lt. Alexis. Franklin leads the Daily Chronicle along with prayer each morning in the dining room at Lakewell Place. He also travels with the Silver Note Singers to local communities.

Ken Kucera of Pathfinder Place
Ken served in the Army as a Rifleman/Private First Class with the Eighth Infantry Division, fighting to defeat Germany during World War II. He grew up in a family of 10 children, including 7 boys. All of the boys served in the military, some at the same time. He lived in Prague, Nebraska in a home he and his father built (across the street from his parent's home) from 1924 until he moved to Pathfinder Place in 2015. Ken enjoys listening to music, watching old movies and looking at his 3,000+ photos and slides. Ken and his wife Aldeanne, now deceased, loved music, dancing and traveling. They travelled to every state in the U.S. as well as Canada and Mexico. The couple also joined some of Ken's Army buddies on a D-Day Anniversary tour of Normandy and Europe. Ken is the father of two daughters.

Junior Howell of Lynd Place
Junior is a 93-year-old Purple Heart recipient from the U.S. Marine Corps for his service during some of the deadliest fighting in the Pacific during WWII. He received the Purple Heart 72 years after being wounded in combat, making him one of the last living Purple Heart recipients from WWII. This fall, Junior was honored at Ball State University, receiving the Ford Oval of Honor recognition. He was welcomed by all of the football team with a “high five” prior to the game as well as a standing ovation before the playing of the National Anthem in the middle of the football field for all to congratulate him. This video of Junior talking about his experience in the Pacific was played during half time of the football game, and another standing ovation was received for Private First Class Junior Howell.

All across the Enlivant family, we are honoring our veterans with flag pinning ceremonies, musical performances, flag dedications, and more. See more Veterans Day photos here.

VA Benefits
Our nation’s veterans deserve to have a safe and welcoming place to live as they age. Remember that one of the ways the U.S. shows gratitude to veterans is by providing veterans and their spouses pension benefits that can help offset the costs of senior care. To learn about Veteran’s Aid benefits that can be used for Assisted Living visit here.

Thank you veterans for your service and sacrifice. We salute you today—and every day.