Honest Abe marches with Vets
By Bob Robinson

GREENVILLE – “I’m supposed to march with the troops… but there aren’t any troops.” 

Honest Abe made a dignified appearance from the grandstand as he approached Mike Morman and Urban Arling. 

“One of them is supposed to adopt me,” he added. 

Arling pointed off to the right side of the track where the troops were lining up. The President thanked them courteously and started off toward his troops. All of them “adopted” him. 

Morman, Past State Commander of the Ohio American Legion, was the guest speaker at the Veteran’s Parade & Memorial Service Aug. 21 at the Great Darke County Fair. Arling, commander of the Darke County Chapter of the American Legion, was the coordinator of the annual event. 

With military precision, the parade started at exactly 5:30 p.m. as various posts and auxiliaries marched in formation for hundreds of families, friends and guests. The National Anthem was presented by Mandy Rismiller. 

“Thank you to veterans everywhere, but especially here in Darke County,” said Morman. He admonished them, however… “Service to your country cannot – can never – be done. 

“Veteran’s organizations here need you to be supportive.” 

He told them this didn’t just mean joining an organization. It goes beyond that. 

“We have our heroes returning home. We need to encourage them. They haven’t been to college? Tell them to go to college. It’s free. They earned it as part of the federal GI Bill… 

“Do you know someone struggling? Make sure they get the benefits they’ve earned.” 

Morman noted Gov. John Kasich has changed the property tax exemption. It used to have an income limit of $10,000 to qualify. It is now $36,000 a year. 

Morman closed by repeating veterans need to be supportive of each other, then quoted a Bible passage which said, in part, “honor to whom honor is due.” 

“Today we honor Darke County veterans.” 

Darke County Fair Manager Daryl Riffle thanked the veterans, noting because of those standing in front of us, we can enjoy our freedoms. 

“Thanks to them, we live in the greatest country on this earth.” 

Those “no longer with us” were honored with a 21-gun salute. Taps were played by Cristy Moody and Angie Rauh. 

President Abraham Lincoln stood with his troops throughout the event and left the service with them. He was treated courteously but received fair warning about his status… 

“Mr. President, we welcome you but I have to warn you. If you start politicking, we have a live round in one of those rifles.” 

Abe was unabashed. “Oh, I thought you were going to say you’d be on the lookout for any actors.” 

True to form, the President had an unlimited supply of stories for anyone who would listen. 

“Did you know I was hired by the Manny Company when Manny was sued by McCormick Reaper? Paid me $1,000. $500 in advance. I did my research, came to Ohio and presented my findings to Edwin Stanton, Manny’s Ohio attorney. 

“Manny tore it up, threw it in the trash and told me I wasn’t needed.” 

So who won? 

“McCormick.” 

Manny sent me the remaining $500 but Honest Abe returned it to him, saying “I did nothing.” Manny sent it back, telling Mr. Lincoln he hired him for $1,000; he’s paying him $1,000. 

“I cashed the check,” Lincoln said. 

Lincoln went on to say early in his administration Stanton was his strongest critic. He was the one who termed the phrase “gorilla in the White House.” 

In 1862 Lincoln made Stanton his Secretary of War. They worked together. When Lincoln was assassinated, Stanton was quoted as saying… 

“Now he belongs to the ages.” 

Story courtesy of the Early Bird 

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