'The Greatest Generation' Reflects on Veterans Day

knows he is literally part of a dying breed.

Clasing, joined by fellow veterans and Essex residents Edgar Launstein and Leon Kirkendall, is part of “The Greatest Generation,” World War II veterans who helped fight off the Nazis and Imperial Japan nearly 70 years ago.

The men, each pushing 90, stood tall Friday as they helped honor fellow former soldiers, sailors and marines as part of a ceremony at the in Middle River.

Clasing, 86, enlisted in the U.S. Navy just shy of his 18th birthday. Assigned to the U. S. Navy III Amphibious Forces, Clasing served in the Pacific Theatre, where he participated in the amphibious invasions at Saipan, Tinian, Peleliu, the Marshall Islands and Anguar. He and his crewmembers are known to have sunk at least 17 ammunition and troop barges.

By the time he finished his tour of duty in 1946, Clasing had received the Naval Unit Commendation, the Naval Unit Citation and three Battle Stars.

Clasing said he is proud of the service to his country, yet the thought of the comrades he lost during World War II never leave his mind. He has since made it his life’s work to ensure that no veteran is ever forgotten.

He was instrumental in the construction of the Lamky, Luther, Whitehead Veteran Memorial, which was dedicated in 1989 at Holly Hill Memorial Gardens.

“Every veteran that made the ultimate sacrifice did so to preserve freedom and stop tyranny,” Clasing said. “We can never forget that.”

Clasing said it is vital for him to reach out to younger veterans to continue his work as his generation rapidly dwindles. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 740 World War II veterans die each day. That means just 1.7 million of the 16 million who served during that time are alive today.

“War is not pretty, and those that have fought in them, no matter which conflict, have lost friends, relatives, comrades,” said Clasing, who was recently inducted into the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. “We need to do what we can to remember those servicemen and women every day and not just on certain holidays.”

Launstein and Kirkendall, both 87, said they share similar opinions.

Lauenstein fought in the Battle of the Bulge, while Kirkendall earned  multiple bronze stars fighting in the Pacific Theatre while stationed on the USS Monterey.

“There is a bond between those that serve together in war that is hard to describe,” Launstein said. “There are fewer and fewer of us [World War II veterans] every day. It’s inspiring to see memorials like [the Lamky, Luther, Whitehead Veteran Memorial] that keeps the memory of all veterans alive for future generations.”