Dayhoff: Danny Bohn was a leader who served the Carroll community in many ways
Carroll County veterans’ organizations have provided a steady succession of great leaders for the community. Sadly, one of our leaders, Danny Bohn, a Vietnam veteran, passed away on May 16, while holding the hand of his wife Susan.
Danny Bohn served as a combat medic in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968 and saw his fair share of military personnel dying for our country. Bohn was subsequently the American Legion Carroll Post 31 chair of the Memorial Day observances in Westminster for many years. In a telephone interview in May 2009, he shared that the ceremonies have had a number of changes over the years as participants have aged. In 2009 he was passionate about the importance of passing the torch of remembrance to the younger generation.
Bohn was part of an extensive line of leaders in the community. Beginning in the early 1930s, J. Albert Mitten was the first chair of the Memorial Day observances for Post 31. Mitten was succeeded by F. Kale Mathias in 1948, by Paul Smith in 1985, and Harry Emigh in 1994. Bohn followed Emigh.
When one thinks of veterans’ organizations, the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion come to mind. However, for decades after the Civil War, the Grand Army of the Republic played a significant role in civic affairs in Carroll County.
According to a “Carroll Yesteryears” column written by Mary Ann Ashcraft on May 13, 2023, in the Carroll County Times, the G.A.R. was founded “in 1866 by a former Union Army surgeon and a chaplain, the fraternal organization kept alive the camaraderie of brothers in arms. It also preserved the memory of those killed in battle, aided their widows and orphans, helped men who came home crippled in mind and body, and fought for pension increases or other benefits. …
“By 1890, approximately a half-million men were G.A.R. members and represented 8,000 posts across the country, principally in former Northern states. Five presidents – Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Harrison, and McKinley – were members.
According to information provided by the Historical Society of Carroll County, the Pickett Post was named in honor of Cpls. Noah and Celious A. Pickett, who died of wounds received during the Wilderness Campaign in 1864.
The Burns Post, according to Ashcraft, “was named for William H. Burns who died at the Battle of Winchester, Virginia, in October 1864.”
Winfield Scott Drach, according to Ashcraft, “was captured and lost a leg during the Civil War but returned to New Windsor and served as its mayor for several years.”
Members of our local veterans’ organizations often continue their service to our country and our community in many different capacities. Before retiring Bohn was employed as the vice president and parts manager for Bohn Pontiac for over 42 years. He was a member of Westminster United Methodist Church, Westminster Lions Club, where he served as past president and was a recipient of the Melvin Jones award. He was a life member of the American Legion Carroll Post No. 31, where he served as past commander, a life member of the VFW Post No. 467 and the Westminster Elks Lodge No. 2277. He also was a volunteer for Carroll Hospice.
According to an article written by Carrie Ann Miller Knauer that appeared in the Carroll County Times on May 30, 2005, Bohn was raised in Westminster and graduated from Westminster High School in 1965. “While still in high school, Bohn worked part time in his father’s Pontiac dealership, which was then on Pennsylvania Avenue in Westminster. After graduation, he worked full time at the dealership and continued to live at home with his parents and two younger brothers, Larry, and Steve. Then, in August 1966, he received his draft letter…
“In July 1967,” according to Knauer’s article, “Bohn finished his training and prepared to be sent overseas. … He was sent to Vietnam in August 1967. He was assigned to a first aid station at a battalion headquarters…
“Although not much fighting took place where Bohn was stationed, tension was high. Every morning, someone from the road crew had to use a metal detector to ensure mines weren’t placed on the road overnight, Bohn said. And occasionally sniper fire came from a tree line 50 yards away from his base. Bohn said the sound of guns was frightening at first, but he became accustomed to it.
“On Aug. 11, 1968, exactly a year after he arrived in Vietnam, Bohn was sent home. ‘My two-year tour of duty was over,’ Bohn said.”
In Knauer’s article Bohn said, “he wanted to be part of a service organization, so he joined” the American Legion in 1974. Over the years, in addition to serving as the Carroll Post 31 American Legion chair of the Memorial Day observances in Westminster, “Bohn has served as a post commander, county commander and district commander as well as on the state legion’s Department Executive Committee for five years.”
We all would do well to heed the words of Abraham Lincoln, who said, “Any Nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.” Well, we do remember and honor Danny Bohn.
Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. His Time Flies column appears every Sunday. Email him at kevindayhoff@gmail.com.