WWII WAC celebrates her 100th birthday with a fundraiser to benefit veterans

Centenarian to celebrate landmark birthday by raising money to help military veterans: ‘They gave their all.’

By STEVE SADIN – LAKE COUNTY NEWS-SUN |

OCT 29, 2020

Waukegan resident Lorraine Knuth celebrates her 100th birthday Saturday with a fundraiser for the Midwest Veterans Closet in North Chicago.

When Waukegan resident Lorraine Knuth turned 21, she joined the Army.

America was at war with Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan. Knuth became a cook at Camp Stoneman in California. She never forgot the multitude of troops she fed before they left to fight, or those who returned, some of them severely maimed.

Care for veterans remained a cause for Knuth and, in 2016, she learned about the Midwest Veterans Closet in North Chicago. It provides food, clothing, furniture and more for both vets and active duty military personnel.

As Knuth’s 100th birthday was approaching, she decided to make it about veterans and members of the military by asking people to honor her special day with donations to the veterans closet. The organization is outgrowing its current location. She chairs the capital campaign.

Waukegan resident Lorraine Knuth pictured as a member of the United States Army during World War II. (Midwest Veterans Closet / HANDOUT)

Knuth turns 100 Saturday, when she will celebrate by participating in the groundbreaking for the new Midwest Veterans Closet at 1 p.m. Saturday in North Chicago to help World War II veterans like herself, and all others who have served. She thanks them all for America’s freedom.

“It’s not the politicians who keep us free,” Knuth said. “It’s the men and women who wear the uniform who keep us free. The veterans deserve everything we can give them. They give their all.”

Mary Carmody, the founder and executive director of the veterans closet, said so far Knuth has received hundreds of birthday cards which have brought in more than $10,000 in donations. The fundraising goal is $3 million.

Carmody said she first met Knuth four years ago, when Knuth came to the closet to learn more about it. It was then Carmody learned about Knuth’s passion for veterans and desire to help them meet their needs. They got to know each other well.

“She’s lived a hero’s life,” Carmody said. “She’s lived the American dream. She helped the fight for our freedoms. She worked hard, raised three children and always contributed. She fought for our freedoms.”

While Knuth wanted to know more about the closet because she was a veteran herself, Carmody said many other veterans and active duty members of the military pass through the veterans closet receiving donated food clothing, furniture and occasionally an automobile.

“It’s a veteran’s sanctuary,” Carmody said. “It’s a safe place for them to come, get what they need and not be afraid to ask. There are times the food and coats veterans and active duty (personnel) get at the closet leave them money they need for rent.”

“If it weren’t for the vets, we would have nothing,” Knuth said.

Saturday’s festivities are both a groundbreaking for the veterans closet and a birthday party for Knuth, with everyone wearing masks and socially distancing. There will also be a car parade organized by Diane Hewitt, a member of the Lake County Board.

Hewitt is not sure how many cars will drive by the festivities with signs and a toot of the horn to offer Knuth birthday wishes. She hopes to find a vehicle or two as old as the guest of honor. Hewitt has never met Knuth, but when she learned about her, she said she had to do something.

“I am so excited to have someone turn 100 in my city and be a female World War II vet,” Hewitt said. “It is so awesome. I had to be part of it.”

When Knuth enlisted “for the duration” of World War II, Carmody said women played a much different role in the military than they do today. Their purpose at the time was to free up a man to fight.

Growing up the fourth of sixth surviving children in Belton, Wis., she eventually took a job doing domestic work before World War II started. Then she decided to become part of the war effort.

“It was my duty to serve my country,” Knuth said. “I felt it was what was expected. It’s what I believed. My brother was fighting in Africa and Europe. I knew exactly what I should do.”

When the war was over, Knuth said she returned to Wisconsin where she worked in a cookie factory for a while. Her journey to Waukegan started when she decided to go to St. Louis, where a friend lived, to see about finding work there. When she boarded a bus for Chicago in Antigo, Wis., she met Donald Knuth. It was 1948.

“We got to talking on the bus,” Knuth said “He was going to Ft. Knox. I was going to St. Louis. We exchanged addresses. We wrote letters. He came to St. Louis and we had our first date Dec. 31, (1948).”

Three months later, Knuth said they were married. She had a sister in Waukegan, so they decided they liked the city and made their home there for the rest of their lives.

All I have to say about this is “Lorraine, you done good, girl.”

N.B.: I’ve posted the entire article instead of a link, because Trib news gets their undies in a bunch if you don’t want to subscribe to their output.

 

Category: Army