Local men fight to the death for America's freedom

RALSTON – A half dozen men with ties to Ralston, Benge and Washtucna gave their lives in World War II, fighting for freedom for America.

Their stories are memorialized at the Ralston Memorial Park, a project sponsored by Ralston Grange #943.

Robert Kenneth Kent grew up in Benge and enlisted in the Army at the same time his brother Herbert was drafted, so the two could be together. The two were assigned to the 60th Coast Artillery and stationed in the Philippine Islands in 1941.

The brothers were able to remain together until they were captured by the Japanese in the fall of Bataan.

Robert was...