By Tamara Taylor

Inspiring a Smile

Recently I had the opportunity to share some memories with an old friend . Our conversation quickly turned to things to which current generations probably cannot relate . In today ' s fast-paced world and the availability of so many media and entertainment resources , are the baby boomers the last generation to have that bond over specific entertainment venues ?

Before pondering such a deep subject , let ' s see if these phrases bring a smile to your face :

It ' s eleven o ' clock in the tri state . Uncle Al Captain Kangaroo . Save cash with Cash at

Cash ' s Big Bargain Barn Bird of Paradise Cool Ghoul Hattie the Witch Knee Ticklers Bob Shreve All I need is this ashtray ... and this phone book ... For those of you who are smiling right now , good for

you . For those of you who are puzzled , well ... Google it !

Communication is the thread that binds us all . Whether it be the written word or visual media , communication makes it all work . One person who has dedicated so much effort to communicating the valor of war heroes and the sacrifices that they have made is our beloved Paul Gentrup . PG , as he is affectionately known by many , certainly deserves the greatest thanks , not only for his service in the Army in the Vietnam War , but also for his continual and undaunted efforts to honor and promote each and every veteran in our community .

Paul Gentrup served in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1968 . He is a Veteran who goes above and beyond in taking care of his brothers in arms . He knows the grief of losing a fellow soldier having lost two school buddies in the Vietnam War . “ You always wonder why you came home and they didn ’ t ,” he said . Knowing that he would never find the answer to that question , PG made it his life ' s mission to do something to honor and remember his fellow veterans . PG personally invests countless hours helping area veterans and promoting all that they have done for our country .

PG was the Veterans Service Officer for Ohio County .

His job is to help veterans get the benefits they have earned .

He often drives thirty minutes or more to pick up a veteran who is unable to drive . PG then drives another hour to take him or her to Lawrenceburg where the veteran can catch a van to transport him or her for much needed medical attention . Many times PG has left his home at 5 AM just to help a veteran in need .

PG is a member of the American Legion and Vietnam Veterans of America , as well as an associate member of the Korean Veterans of America , an honor extended to him in gratitude for his service to their members . He has attended and given rites at the funerals of hundreds of veterans and is dedicated to ensuring that each soldier who has passed away received a proper military burial .

PG helped organize and arrange donations and other funding for the first Honor Flight to come to the Tri-State area so that World War II vets could go to Washington D . C to see their Memorial . Every year since that first flight , he has organized and led threeday trips to Washington D . C . for WWII , Korean , and Vietnam War Veterans , all free of charge . Several trips included over fifty veterans at a time .

On Memorial Day , Fourth of July , and Veterans Day , PG makes sure that our local cemeteries where Veterans are buried are decorated with

flags .

He helped with the dedication of the “ Home For Heroes ” for Brett Bondurant after he was injured in Afghanistan . PG helped to organize and provide personal , emotional , and financial support for Brett and his family since the moment he learned that Brett had been wounded .

PG visits local schools and tells students about what being a Veteran means and about how Veterans view the importance of passing on their experiences to younger generations . PG calls this his “ Passing It On ” program and has organized a display of a collection of military uniforms , photos , and stories that are displayed at area public libraries .

When nominating PG to be a Cincinnati Reds " Hometown Hero ," Ron Spurlock , a veteran himself and PG ' s dear friend , said , " If he knew I was

Paul " PG " Gentrup ( photo by Brian Gentrup )

nominating him , he ’ d give me a list of people he thought were more worthy and should be nominated instead of him . This habit of always thinking of others first is why I ’ m nominating him !"

I couldn ' t have said it better . Many thanks from all of us , PG . Your efforts have honored many and will continue to educate others for decades to come .