Editorial: Folsom street names are a unique way of honoring Veterans

Like all cities, Folsom honors its veterans in many ways on Nov. 11 and the days leading up to it. But this city has a notable way of honoring some of its veterans every day of the year upon various road signs in town. The signs are a part of the Gold Star program to honor Folsom's fallen veterans. Starting back in 2004, the city replaced several signs on streets that were named in honor of many of its early day veterans. A few of those streets are Blodgett Way, Nichols Circle, Dean Way, Henderson Way, Needles Way, Duchow Way, McKiernan Way, Rumsey Way, Price Way, Wales Drive and Farley Court. The Folsom Telegraph gathered a bit of history on a few of those honored in these signs, where information is available. Lewis Jefferson Blodgett was born Sept. 11, 1889 in Colusa County. He was the son of Moses H. Blodgett and Florence Ada Johnsons Blodgett. Lewis was the brother of Artamissa Maria Blodgett Kelley and Esther Azalia Blodgett Kelley Harlan. Lewis was a United States Marine Corps Private who was killed in action in France during World War I on Oct. 4, 1918. He served with the G Regiment, second division. He is buried at the Lakeside Memorial Lawn Cemetery. William Hudson Nichols Jr. was born on Dec. 12, 1873 in Folsom. He graduated from Folsom Public School and was head of his class. At age 16, he received a first-grade teacher's certificate. Prior to enlisting in the Marine Corps, he worked at the Rocklin Railroad Depot and later learned the printers' trade working for the Telegraph. He was said to be of jovial nature, counted everybody as his friend and was a favorite with his associates. On Nov. 15, 1898, at age 25, Nichols enlisted in the Marine Corps at Mare Island Navy Yard and was stationed on the gunboat Yorktown in the South Pacific. During the Boxer uprising, Nichols served in the Peking Legation Guard under Major Waller. In 1900, he was transferred to the gunboat Newark to rescue imperiled Americans in Peking, China. At age 27, Nichols was killed by a sniper on June 18, 1900, while on the gunboat Newark during the Boxer Rebellion in China. He died while attempting to save the lives of Americans and other innocent victims of the murderous Boxer bandits. Nichols was the first Folsom-born veteran to be killed in action. Leslie G. Dean was born Oct. 15, 1921 and was a private in World War II. He was killed in battle on Dec. 20, 1944. Brothers Gerald D. Henderson and Donald D. Henderson served in World War II. Gerald was a sergeant and Donald was a second lieutenant. Records show they were not killed during battle. Charles A. Needles was a first lieutenant during World War II. Arthur 'Duke' Duchow was born on Oct. 12, 1919 and was the son of a pioneer family. His mother, H.D. Bicker, of Sibley Street, came to Folsom in 1906, and his father, Marteen Caspar Duchow, was from a family that could trace its time back to the founding years of California. Duchow graduated from Folsom High in 1938 and attended Sacramento City College. He worked at McClellan Air Force Base and was a member of the National Guard. Duchow was absorbed into the U.S. Army from the National Guard and reported for duty in December 1940. He was chosen to attend officer's candidate school and upon graduation was commissioned as second lieutenant. Duchow then served in the Aleutian Islands, the Marshall Islands and Leyte Island, The Philippines. Duchow was promoted to first lieutenant after assignment to the 24th Corps, Seventh Division. Under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, he led his platoon during an attack that left them exposed to direct enemy fire. He ordered his men to fall back while he stayed in advance to keep the enemy engaged until his platoon had reformed. During this time, he sacrificed his life for the well-being of his platoon. Duchow died Nov. 27, 1944 on Leyte Island where his remains were buried at the military cemetery in Bayba. He was awarded posthumously the second-highest award, The Distinguished Service Cross. Duchow Way was named in his honor. Clarence McKiernan and Charles McKiernan, brothers, both served in World War II. William 'Bill' Rumsey Jr. was born on Aug. 2, 1921 to a family with deep roots in Folsom. He was the son of William and Ethel Rumsey, who opened a hardware and grocery store on Sutter Street in 1913 called Rumsey Hardware. The Rumsey family has been associated with Folsom since the 1850s, going back seven generations to the Gold Rush era. The Rumsey family home is on Figueroa Street and is said to be the oldest house in Folsom. Rumsey attended Granite School, the only elementary school in Folsom at the time, and was a Folsom High School Class of 1939 graduate where he played baseball. Rumsey was known as a good athlete, likeable, happy and always having a good sense of humor. Rumsey spent much of his time at his father's hardware store. After graduating, he enlisted and was selected for the Air Cadets and Officer training. Rumsey was an Army transport pilot. Once the United States declared war, the air corps joined fully into the Battle of Britain and Captain Rumsey was ordered to England. There, he commanded a bomber crew flying daylight raids over France and Germany. Rumsey participated in 20 missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Oak Leaf Cluster. Rumsey died in combat when his B-17 bomber was shot down near France on March 16, 1944. Rumsey Way was named in his honor. Frank Price served in World War II. Steven Wales was the only son of a family long associated with Folsom. His father, Bob Wales, was the freight agent who hauled freight by truck from Sacramento to Folsom after the Southern Pacific stopped running regular trains to Folsom. His trucks brought supplies to Rumsey's, Kipp's, the Natomas Co., the schools and the prison. Wales' maternal great-grandfather, Joseph Woodward, came to California from Vermont in 1849 as a gold mine merchant and later took up 640 acres of Folsom land known as Woodward Ranch. Wales served in World War II as a sergeant. He was on a bombing mission over Korea with his crew on the B24 bomber Lucky Lady II when it was hit by Japanese fire and disabled. The bomber turned back to home base but the plane could not climb high enough to pass over Mount Mang-un at 3,000 feet high and crashed. He died on Aug. 7, 1945 with the 10 other members of his crew. Wales Drive was named in his honor. Marshall Farley was born on March 9, 1947 and was a Folsom resident who volunteered to serve as a scout dog handler in the Vietnam War. He served in the army, attaining the rank of Specialist Fourth Class and earned several medals. He served on the front lines with his scout dog Bootsy. He and Bootsy, were killed in action on Sept. 19, 1967. The city of Folsom dedicated a baseball field in his honor. The ball field was moved nearby to make room for the Folsom Public Library Georgia Murray Building and a veterans memorial. A statue of a kneeling soldier at one corner of the veterans memorial looks across to a statue of a dog standing on alert. The interaction of the two statues pays tribute to Farley and Bootsy. As you drive through Folsom, look for the blue signs in the areas of the community. Whcn you see one, take note of the name upon it. It was that service member who, along with many, fought for our freedom to travel our roads and take any journey we wish today.