By Kathleen Knowles
On August 17th (15 days ago), we had posted the newspaper death notices of two area GI’s who died while in service. In the past two days (and one road trip), we’ve scanned photos of each one of them. One is expected to be a temporary photo as family members are convinced there is a photo of the much older GI. If they do locate it (it’s now a multiple family function) we will use what they choose. The photo we scanned today was an interesting challenge as the images will illustrate.
SSgt Elliott Cameron was 31 years of age when his tour of duty ended April 11th, 1945 during the final days of WWII. He recovered from two previous wounds and returned to action both times. His third wound proved fatal. He proudly represented village Smiths Creek in the US Army. His photo was taken from a ‘tintype’ keepsake. As the second image will show each tintype is about 1.5″ X 2.5″. A quarter is between them to reference the image size we had to work with. Depending on the banner size, his image could be up to three feet in size. His image is the 259th image we’ve located out of 586.
The second image is that of a very young (12 – 14 years of age) PFC Joseph Cameron (no relation to the above). This image may well be TEMPORARY as the family is convinced there is a photo of a much older Pfc Cameron. Pfc Cameron was but 19 years of age when his tour of duty ended July 30th, 1950 in Korea. He proudly represented the city of Port Huron in the US Army. His image came to us via framed 5 X 7. His image is the 260th image we’ve located out of 586.
If you know of any relative, neighbor, or friend from St Clair County Michigan who died while in service (from WWI to date), please contact us at (810) 985-2007 or (810) 434-6407. There is no cost to the family (now or ever) to scan the photo or the production cost of the banner. Those wishing to contribute to the project may do so by sending a TAX DEDUCTIBLE check to the Community Foundation of St Clair County, 500 Water Street, Port Huron, MI 48060 Please print Fallen Heroes Banner Project on the memo line. This project is the only one of its kind in the US that is County wide!
Kathleen Knowles
Contributing Writer
Blue Water Healthy Living
