A Fitting Tribute to Those Who Served
FORT MYERS, FL – Kemper Lorraine, a retiree living in The Woodlands at Shell Point Retirement Community, still thinks back with deep fondness to the older brother who gave his life for this country. In September, 1944, Kemper was just 17, and a freshman in college, when he heard the news about his older brother. Following in his beloved brother’s footsteps, and against his mother’s wishes, Kemper enlisted in the Naval Air Corps one month later. “That was a terrible time for me,” said Kemper recently in an interview at The Woodlands. “My brother was a special person and while we occasionally fought like brothers often do, it was a devastating blow to lose him.”
When the terrorist attacks occurred last year, Kemper and his wife, Elizabeth, were in their home in Rosemont. The devastating tragedy of September 11 spurred the couple to take action and create a memorial to their brothers and fathers who served this country so faithfully in both World War I and World War II.
Kemper’s father, Alfred Lennox Lorraine, Sr., was a Sergeant with Company F – 104th Ammo Train in World War I. His brother Alfred Lennox Lorraine, Jr. was a Lt. (jg) in the United States Naval reserve. Lorraine Jr. received the Distinguished Flying Cross, an Air Medal and a Purple Heart for his heroic efforts during the war, which led to his death.
Elizabeth Lorraine’s father, James Sterling Farinash, was in the Quartermasters Corps of the 5th Field Army in World War I and her brother served as a Captain in the Air Force in World War II. Captain Farinash received a Purple Heart during his years in the service.
Following the attacks on September 11, and to honor the memory of their fathers and brothers and the service they provided to the United States of America, the Lorraines decided to set up “The Farinash-Lorraine American Flag Memorial Fund,” through the Legacy Foundation at Shell Point. The purpose of this fund is to provide American flags for The Woodlands neighborhood in perpetuity.
A ceremony and dedication commemorating the gift was held on Memorial Day, May 30, at The Woodlands. “I feel very satisfied that Libbie and I have been able to provide this fitting memorial,” said Kemper Lorraine. “This is a symbol to all of us and a fitting tribute to these men and all of those who gave their lives for this country.”
