It may have seemed like a simple gesture, but to George Guhman it meant the world.
“I’m very sentimental,” Guhman said.
The Hahnville JROTC helped bring that emotion to the forefront. The cadets folded and presented with dignity the flag of Guhman’s grandfather, the late Manuel P. Guhman, a World War I veteran. Sgt. Richard Lochren, Hahnville’s Air Force JROTC instructor, called the ceremony a proud and emotional moment for everyone in attendance.
Guhman, who is a veteran of the Air Force that served from 1961 to 1965, said the cadets went above and beyond any expectations he had and said their gesture was kind and impactful.
“It was very, very moving to me,” said Guhman. “I didn’t expect this, but it did happen and I’m very happy they did this.”
Guhman, 84, has had the flag for many years.
“I just wanted it tightened up,” he said. “I went to the police department; they didn’t know how to do it. And then someone at Dot’s (Diner) mentioned they’re in ROTC, and I said I’ll go over and try it.”
He spoke with Lochren and they set up a meeting a few days later.
“I thought they’d take the flag, unfold it, fold it up, put it in the triangle case and give it back to me. They did a lot more than that,” Guhman said. “I had no idea if (the flag was going to fall apart of not – it’s been folded for many years, since 1955. And they did it ceremoniously … it meant a lot to me.”
The cadets presented Guhman with an 8×10 picture frame with his name and his grandfather’s name displayed on it.
Guhman’s grandfather passed away when the former was just 11 years old. The two men hail from a military family. Guhman’s father, younger brother and uncle all served in addition to his grandfather.
Guhman spent two years in California and two years in Germany during his time with the Air Force. He served during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
“Very few people realize that was the closest this country ever came to World War III,” said Guhman. “Thankfully, it didn’t happen.”
His grandfather’s flag – a 48-star flag – serves as a proud representation of the family’s service.
