Facebook post catches Veteran’s attention
GOODLAND TWP. — Serving their country has run in the Roy family for several generations.
Despite family members having many stories to tell of their experiences in the military, one particular story has a happy ending.
Gary Roy, of Goodland Township, served in the U.S. Marine Corp. from 1966 -1969 and retired as a Sergeant.
Among his assignments during that time was being stationed at Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune and Guantanamo Base in Cuba.
With around 15 other family members having served in the Marine Corps., Roy is proud to have carried on the family tradition of serving his country and has passed it on to his son, Paul.
Gary Roy was reunited with a very special keepsake thanks to the Caseville Chamber of Commerce. The ring, that was lost for 17 years, found its way back to its owner last month.
“There’s been a bunch of family members in the service, and we were all with the U.S. Marine Corps,” Roy said. “I’d say about 15 of us family members have served. Our dad served in World War II back in 1939 until 1945 and was a Gunnery Sergeant.”
Roy said his dad was among the Marines in the first wave who landed at Iwo Jima. His dad was a member of the WWII parachute regiment, according to Roy.
During his time with the Corps, Roy had a special ring on his hand that he was very proud of and one that he cherished.
The original ring was a 10-carat gold gem with a red ruby embedded on it. The ring had several identifying marks on it, including one that showed the landing of Iwo Jima.
Roy said the original ring was stolen at some point and he quickly replaced it with another authentic ring that didn’t come cheap.
“The one I got to replace the stolen one cost me around $2,000. It meant a lot to me and I was going to make sure it (ring replacement) was how I wanted it,” Roy explained.
Proud of his replacement ring, Roy said he and his wife went camping in Huron County back in 2006 and along the line somewhere, he lost the ring.
“I don’t know where I lost it. I thought maybe in a cabin, or on the beach,” Roy recalled. “All I know is that it was gone, again. I felt awful.”
The family had gone on a camping trip to Port Austin when Roy lost the ring.
He said someone found it in a lost and found box at a state park in Huron County and thought it might mean something to someone.
“Here 17 years later, The Caseville Chamber of Commerce puts a picture of the ring on their facebook page four weeks ago and that is where I saw it. I couldn’t believe it!,” said the relieved veteran. “I was so happy when I found it.”
Roy said he had to call the Chamber and identify the ring, which he promptly did, and they mailed the ring to him the following day.
The 77-year old Goodland Township resident has been a member of the American Legion Post in Imlay City for 54 years.
He has the distinction of being the youngest serving Commander of the Legion in the State of Michigan, back in 1971 when he was 25 years old.
He is also a lifetime member of the U.S. Marine Corps League.
He’s glad the story of the lost ring had a happy ending.
“It meant so much to me to get that back. I couldn’t thank the folks in Caseville enough for posting in on their facebook page. I’m really happy to have it back.”
