A longtime community servant who has dedicated much of his life to assisting his fellow veterans was honored by the Logan County Commissioners Tuesday, April 22, with a special honor from the county.
Lifelong Bellefontaine resident Ray Stamm received the U.S. flag that was flown above the Logan County Courthouse during March in a presentation at the commissioners’ office, joined by his wife of 56 years, Linda, and other family members and friends.
“This is quite a joy. Thank you for having me here today,” said the U.S. Army veteran, who served as an officer with the American Legion Post 173 of Bellefontaine, along with serving at the American Legion Department of Ohio and with the Second District of the American Legion as well over the years.
“Both of my parents served in the military, so I followed in their footsteps,” Mr. Stamm noted, relating that his father was an airplane technician with the U.S. Army Air Corps and his mother was a nurse who treated service members in the China-Burma Theater.
The 76-year-old Honda of America retiree also is currently serving in his second term with the Logan County Veterans Service Commission.
“We’re very appreciative of your service,” Logan County Veterans Service Director Shelley Kneece said during the ceremony.
While it was a busy morning in Logan County Family Court, Judge Kim Kellogg-Martin said she couldn’t pass up the chance to be at the ceremony either, after getting to know Stamm over so many years.
“It’s been such an honor to get to work alongside you. You’ve raised such a wonderful family,” the judge said.
After his graduation from Bellefontaine High School in 1966, Stamm said he went to work for Rockwell for a short period, prior to a strike at the facility. It was at that time that he decided to volunteer for the draft.
The local honoree served with the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968 and was stationed with the Second Armored Division in Fort Hood, Texas.
During those years, Stamm earned several awards and commendations, including the National Defense Service Medal and Sharpshooter M-14 Rifle Medal.
He and Linda married in 1969, and they are the parents of Stacie Cooper and Tony Stamm. Mrs. Cooper and her son-in-law Aaron LaBatt attended the ceremony as well.
Following Stamm’s honorable discharge from the Army, he went to work at Rockwell again, and later worked at ITE, along with Honda of America, including a stint at the Honda Motorcycle Plant. He retired from Honda in 2008.
Other county officials who attended the ceremony alongside Commissioners Mike Yoder, Joe Antram and Greg Fitzpatrick to honor Stamm included Clerk of Courts Jackie Prater, Treasurer Rhonda Stafford and Recorder Pat Myers, along with Logan County Administrator David Henry, Commissioners’ Office Administrative Clerk DeDe Doss, and Amy Rickets from the Logan County Veterans Service Office.
