Karen Sisk – Calling all World War II Veterans of Houston County

Warner Robins native Karen Sisk is on a mission to recognize all Houston County World War II veterans. Her inspiration stems from never really taking the time from when she was younger to thank her father who was a World War II veteran.

“My father was much older than me about 40 years older,” Sisk said. “And he was an aircraft mechanic and served in World War II. Well as a kid I never really thanked him for his service and as I got older I just felt so guilty. I originally started out as a history major in college, and when learning more about World War II, I just became so fascinated. Learning what these men went through it just grips your heart.”

Sisk and her family moved to Warner Robins in 1966. She attended Miller Elementary, Rumble Junior High and graduated from Warner Robins High School. She then graduated from Macon State College. The past recent years she has become a member of the Warner Robins Heritage Society, which also inspired her to seek out all local World War II veterans in Houston County.

“In the later part of 2017 we were prepping for the city’s 75th anniversary, and part of the city’s history is it’s known as, “the town World War II built”,” Sisk said. “Well in December of 2017 we didn’t know of one World War II veteran in this town. So we started asking around, and today we have a list of 32. So we began coming up with ideas on how to honor them because they are in their 90s and sadly won’t be around much longer.”

“Well the Heritage Society was looking to do something quarterly, but I decided to go out on my own, and take on the project of hosting an event once a month,” she went on to say. “We need to hear their stories, so I have come up with, “War Time Story Time”. Once a month we will host these veterans for fellowship, providing them dinner, and then whoever would like to share about their time in service will speak before everyone.”

Sisk said she is in the process of securing a location, and will be seeking to local organizations, churches, etc. to see about sponsoring the dinners. Sisk also plans to try and host small birthday gatherings for each World War II veteran as well.

“Another local Jana Knowles Hamrick, recently held a birthday surprise for her father John, who was a two-time Purple Heart recipient during World War II,” Sisk said. “I attended and told her that she inspired me to host a birthday gathering for the other veterans. I just want them to know that we appreciate their service to our country and fighting for the freedoms that we have today. My hope is that through this it will inspire others to join and start honoring the Korean War and Vietnam War veterans.”

If you have a family member or friend who is a World War II veteran, Sisk said she would like for those to contact her via email, karenlsisk1@aol.com, to put them on the list to join in these events. Any businesses or organizations that would like to help as well can contact Sisk via email.