From the September 17, 1993 edition of The Wayne Herald
Countian, 97, receives World War I medal
The only remaining World War I veteran living in Wayne County tearfully thanked those responsible for the veteran's medal he received Wednesday. Jim Hansen, 97, a resident of the Wayne Care Centre, served in France in the Army in World War I and was one of thousands of doughboys who participated in the harrowing St. Michael Offensive.
He received a 75th Anniversary Commemorative Medal during a ceremony at the Care Centre attended by family, friends and other veterans.
Wayne County Veteran's Service Officer Wayne Denklau made the official presentation. Denklau said it is quite a feat to receive one of the 30,000 anniversary medals being distributed this month and next to all the living vets of WWI. Only that many veterans remain out of the 4.7 million Americans who participated in the service during the war.
The number of remaining World War I veterans is decreasing at the rate of 25 per day. He said the average age of remaining WWI veterans is 95 years old.
The medals commemorating 75 years since the armistice were the endeavor of the Robert McCormick Tribune Foundation as a gift to the nation's Doughboys during the commemorative period. The medal is a replica of the WWI victory medal that was awarded to service-men and women who served in that war.
