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Their total Army service adds up to 23 1/2 years.
Six were drafted and Royal, the latest to serve, received his
discharge a month ago.
"It won't be long before another son, Wayne, will be drafted and
then we'll be back in the groove again," said the Riverton mother.
"I certainly know this family has contributed to our nation's
defense," she added.
The Booker service record:
James, 38, served three years,
part of which was in the South Pacific.
Jack, 36, served five years,
including duty in Asia and Africa.
David Jr., 34, served 10 years,
including Japan and Asia.
Paul, 27, a year and half,
including Europe, with the Army of Occupation.
Kenneth, 24, two years,
including several months in Germany.
Royal, 22, two years, part of
the time in France.
James, Jack and David, Jr., are World
War II veterans. Although they traveled many miles during the war,
not once did they meet.
The family's only daughter, Mrs.
Francis Chaney, 31, is the wife of a World War II veteran who served
in the South Pacific. She and her husband now lives near Tarkin, Mo.
Mrs. Booker said that Wayne, 20 now is
serving in the Merchant Marine, but expects to be called to Army
duty "any day now."
She added that it looks like the other
boys -- Forrest, 17; Roy, 13, and Larry Dale, 12 -- will go
into service, too, :because they are in the best of health."
Larry Dale may break the chain of Army
duty however. He has decided a desire to serve in the Navy when he
is old enough. |
