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Veterans’ collections donated to Guilford Historical Society

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    GUILFORD — At the annual Guilford Historical Society Harvest Festival and open house in late September, David Lee Colson and his wife, Marcie, of Clinton visited the society’s museum.
    They donated a collection of items belonging to David’s uncle, Anton W. Colson, an Army veteran who was killed on the beach at Normandy in World War II.

VET-ColorGHS-PFC-DCX-PO-45
PFC THOMAS MOODY

    With 156,000 Allied troops involved, it was the largest amphibious operation during the war and an estimated 2,500-3,000 Americans lost their lives during the invasion.
    David Colson is the son of Clair Colson, Anton’s brother. Their father, Orman Colson, and his brothers were residents of Guilford.
    Among the items donated were a framed photo in glass of Anton W. Colson alongside President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Gen. Douglas McArthur; a Bible from his Aunt Minnie, currency, two German sleeve tags, a military ID “dog tag,” a Purple Heart medal and a 48-star U.S. flag.
    Sieferd “Stub” Schultz, a longtime member of the Guilford Historical Society, accompanied Colson to the Guilford Veteran Memorial garden during his visit to show him Anton’s name on the honor roll.
    David and Marcie had displayed the photo of Anton in their home for many years, and thought it was a good time to donate his belongings to the society.
    Many Colson ancestors are also buried in the Lawn Cemetery in Guilford.

VET-ColorGHSThomas-DCX-PO-45Guilford Historical Society photo

    THOMAS MOODY MEDALS — Pictured are some of the awards earned by the late Pfc. Thomas Moody. Clockwise, from bottom left, the Vietnam Service Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal.

    Earlier this year, Guilford Town Manager Tom Goulette displayed a collection of articles that belonged to Thomas J. Moody, who was killed in the Vietnam War on Jan. 20, 1968 at the age of 18.
    PFC Moody graduated from Higgins Classical Institute at Charleston in June 1967 after previously attending Guilford public schools.
  He joined the Marines on June 20, 1967 and took basic training at Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was the son of Leslie and Katherine M. Moody of Guilford.
    Goulette shared the emotional story of Thomas Moody’s life with GHS members and read a poem written by Moody just prior to his death.
    Included in his collection are original photographs of Thomas and his family, citations, Purple Heart and Gold Star certificates, news articles, his dog tags and two Vietnam Service medals.
    Also donated to the Society were letters from Moody to his high school physics teacher, Richard Millett of Guilford, sent from both boot camp and Viet Nam.
    Guilford takes pride in preserving their hometown Veteran’s history.
    Among the extensive historical collections/exhibits, enclosed in glass cabinets, they proudly display items from the Civil War, World War I, World War II and Vietnam War. Other collections at the society’s museum are from Mattie Anna Pinette and Louis Wilbur Trafton, with future acquisitions and donations ongoing.
    Veteran tributes of Pinette and Trafton can be viewed on the Guilford History website: www.guilford.mainememory.net.
    The Guilford Historical Society is open to the public by appointment by calling 876-4501 or 217-0963.

 

Among the items donated to the society were a 48-star American flag from the family of a World War II veteran and medals earned by a Vietnam veteran who was killed in action at age 18.

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