By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

RB Conley. Photo provided.

ETNA GREEN — RB Conley, a veteran with significant community involvement in Etna Green, has been selected as the 2023 parade marshal for Etna Green’s Fourth of July festivities.

Conley, 79, was nominated by his family for the role. He lived in Etna Green with his wife, Peggy, since 1967, but the couple has resided in Warsaw since 2021.

The two both graduated in the Class of 1962 at Etna Green High School, the final class to graduate from the school before its closure. While in school, RB played baseball, track, and basketball.

The Conleys were married for three weeks before RB served in the U.S. Air Force for four years.

“I’m a Navy-trained Air Force civil engineer,” said RB. “The Air Force didn’t have a school for civil engineering and the Navy did, so they sent me to a Navy base in California. I’m very proud to have served my country.”

“(RB’s military experience) taught us both a lot about respect and courage,” said Peggy.

After serving in California, RB served at the Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico.

Upon being discharged, RB moved back to Etna Green with Peggy and started Etna Green’s Youth Baseball League when their oldest child was 10. He recalled when two sponsors for the league took their team to a major league game in Cincinnati, Ohio, after they won a game. RB was involved in the Youth League for about six years.

He also served on the town’s council for two years and continues to organize and host the annual Memorial Day veterans’ recognition ceremony in Etna Green. Outside of Etna Green, RB also recently celebrated his 50th year of involvement with the American Legion in Bourbon and formerly served on the board of directors for the Bell Aircraft Museum in Mentone.

“Etna Green is a lovely little town,” said RB.

The Conleys have been married for 60 years. They have three children, seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren, with two on the way.

“I’m being honored as grand marshal, but behind every good man is a good woman,” said RB. “I’m so thankful for my wife, everything I’ve done she’s supported me through.”

With next week’s festivities, RB is looking forward to seeing the crowd and expressed excitement in recently seeing Fourth of July celebrations returning to Etna Green.

“I’d like to thank the town for the honor,” said RB of serving as parade marshal.