Lexington Twp.'s Kenneth Harper honored for 27 years of military service

LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP − Kenneth R. Harper is a humble man, not one for a lot of fanfare.

The 80-year-old veteran couldn't shy away from the spotlight Saturday when he received a special quilt and a parade for his 27 years of military service.

"I know there are people more worthy than I am. I'll accept it gracefully," Harper said.

Harper's wife, Nita, added: "I'm proud of him."

To which, Harper said: "I'm pretty much honoring my wife and (my family). My wife put up with me all these times while I was in the National Guard."

Harper fixed aircraft between the U.S. Navy and the Ohio Army National Guard for nearly 30 years. He also taught special education for the same amount of time.

"I was blessed to be in the military," Harper said.

'No two heroes are alike.'

In recognition of his service, Harper was presented a quilt from Quilt of Honors. The Honoring Our True Heroes mission of the Patriot Guard Riders also held a parade.

Melissa Seibert of Canton, a longtime military advocate representing all groups involved in Harper's ceremony, said they want veterans to know they're not forgotten.

"Your service still means something today," she said.

She added the quilt is made locally and personalized for the individual. "No two quilts are alike because no two heroes are alike," she explained.

'I learned a lot.'

Harper, a Sterling, Illinois, native, was raised in Arizona and entered the Navy at 18.

He served three years from July 1960 to August 1963, and finished with the rank of ADR3, aviation machinist mate.

"I was an aircraft mechanic," he said.

Harper then moved to Akron, where he met his wife and graduated from the University of Akron. "We met at church," Harper said. "We've been married 54 years."

He taught at Waynedale High School for three years, then moved to Stark County. He taught in Alliance schools from 1978 until his retirement in 2002.

Meanwhile, Harper joined the Ohio Army National Guard in September 1982 and served 20 years repairing helicopters. He reached the rank of sergeant first class.

He left the military, for good, in 2002, earning a slew of ribbons and medals.

"I learned a lot of leadership skills and communication skills," Harper said, and those skills helped him in the classroom. "Especially with staff and parents."

Harper and his wife have three children − Karyn Harper, Kevin Harper and Kelly Frasher − and six grandchildren. Kevin followed his father into the Army, retiring as a sergeant.

'It is a proud moment for the family.'

Frasher started the process with Seibert. They met at the Stark County Fair in August.

Frasher described her father as a person full of patriotic pride, with all military branches represented with flags on his front lawn. Many summer vacations were spent in barracks.

"It's just exciting to see him be honored," she said. "It's a proud moment for the family, and for him."

Told that her father was being modest, Frasher said she wasn't surprised. "He doesn't want to be the center of attention. He's just proud to be a veteran."

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. Follow on Twitter @bduerREP.

Follow on Twitter @bduerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Retired Alliance teacher Kenneth Harper honored for military career