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By Jane Smith

meadville tribune

TOWNVILLE — Dressed in his formal Navy uniform and white hat from 65 years ago, Walter McKofka of Townville greeted guests at the door with the familiar Navy salutation: “Permission to enter, sir.”

Not waiting for an answer — and with a wide grin and his blue eyes sparkling — McKofka quickly opened the door.

The 90-year-old veteran was especially proud to be wearing the uniform. “It was issued to me when I joined the Navy in 1940,” he said, pleased that he still had it and could wear it.

He’s even prouder of the fact he finally has five medals to show others his accomplishments during a five-year tour of duty. “I earned them 65 years ago, but I just got them Feb. 15, 2008,” he said. Medals were generally presented upon discharge. “We were so happy to be getting discharged,” McKofka said, that many sailors, including himself, didn’t worry about the medals. Getting a medal wasn’t why he joined the Navy.

“The system in the Navy was so fouled up when everybody was coming out at the same time,” he said. “ ‘We will send you your medals,’ ” he said they told him.

Either the Navy never sent them or they got lost in the mail.

When he went to the Crawford County Office of Veterans Services recently on another matter, director Fred Cunningham told him, “I’ll get your medals, Walter.” True to his words, he did.

McKofka is one of the many veterans who will be attending Memorial Day observances today throughout Crawford County and the nation.

The services are important, he said. “These young people don’t know what it’s all about,” he said, noting it’s “fools like us that have to go out and show them.” He said he will probably attend Meadville’s observance.