Carl “David” Sexauer and his son Carl Sexauer took a special trip this Memorial Day. The two veterans shared an Honor Flight trip to Washington D.C. and the war monuments of the nation’s capitol.

David is a patient with Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County and an Army Veteran. At age 16 he lost his father and dropped out of school to help earn extra money to support his mother. He picked up work as a house painter, having no idea that it would become his lifelong vocation. David was married with a baby when he was drafted in 1961. At age 23 he was the oldest in his platoon, so he was nicknamed “the old man.” He spent his entire tour of duty in Europe and managed to see many of the countries while he was there. When he returned home he returned to house painting, retiring after 55 years on the job.

David’s trip companion, Carl, is the son left behind while he served his Army tour. Carl is an Air Force Veteran who served during Desert Storm. The two were part of a contingent participating in a Memorial Day commemoration that will include the placing of a wreath to honor Veterans.
The wreath was constructed of flags in remembrance of Veterans and was created during the 2016 Miami County Relay for Life. According to Krissy McKim Barker, Volunteer Coordinator at Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County, “As a local, not-for-profit hospice serving Miami County since 1983, we are pleased to take part in local activities of our community. It is an honor and joy to have had a presence at Relay for Life, which raises funds for cancer research.”

On Memorial Day and everyday, we join in expressing thanks to all members of the United States Armed Forces, past and present, for their service and sacrifice.