Voices of Valor: Following in his parents’ footsteps, Woods served, continues to help veterans
Larry Woods, commander of AMVETS Post 1788 in Marietta, holds a photo taken while he was in the U.S. Army. He retired after 26 years in the Army and Navy Reserves. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Larry Woods says his parents, Elah and Elvin Woods, who both served in World War II, were the inspiration for his military career and subsequent service to veterans. The Woods were married in October 1945. (Photo provided)
Larry Woods in the U.S. Army. He joined in 1971. (Photo provided)
Larry Woods in the Navy. (Photo provided)
The certificate of honor presented to Larry Woods on Nov. 10, 2023, thanking him for his service during the Vietnam War period by the Department of Defense and the Marietta Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
Larry Woods in the Navy. (Photo provided)
Larry Woods, commander of AMVETS Post 1788 in Marietta, holds a photo taken while he was in the U.S. Army. He retired after 26 years in the Army and Navy Reserves. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Larry Woods says his parents, Elah and Elvin Woods, who both served in World War II, were the inspiration for his military career and subsequent service to veterans. The Woods were married in October 1945. (Photo provided)
Larry Woods in the U.S. Army. He joined in 1971. (Photo provided)
Larry Woods in the Navy. (Photo provided)
The certificate of honor presented to Larry Woods on Nov. 10, 2023, thanking him for his service during the Vietnam War period by the Department of Defense and the Marietta Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
Larry Woods in the Navy. (Photo provided)
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MARIETTA – His parents’ service in World War II inspired a Washington County man who spent 26 years in the military followed by a life of service to fellow veterans.
Larry Woods, 75, is the commander of AMVETS Post 1788 in Marietta, one of several veterans organizations of which he is a member.
His dad, Elvin M. Woods, served in World War II under the command of Gen. George Patton. His mother, Elah L. Rose Woods was in the medical corps in a naval hospital in Maryland during the war.
"Mom and Dad were my inspiration," Woods said of his career in the Army and Navy Reserves and activity with veterans service groups. "It has always been my passion. I think it is something that is instilled in us. I'll do this until the day I die."
Besides his parents, many in his family have served or are serving in the military.
His mother's sister, Marie, was in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps in the Philippines in World War II. Multiple uncles served, including Everett Eastham in the Army in the Second World War, Richard Woods in the Navy in Korea, John Ruble in the Air Force in Korea and Barry Woods for two Army tours in Vietnam.
His brothers Carl Woods, who passed away in 2021, served in the Air Force and Gilbert Woods served in the Army, both during the Vietnam War.
Grandson Christian Welch has been in active duty in the Air Force since 2019.
Larry Woods entered the Army on Feb. 13, 1971, and retired Jan. 1, 1998, from the Navy Reserves, stationed in Cross Lanes, W.Va.
He was stationed while in the Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Fort Knox, Ky.; Fort Meade, Md.; and Fort Eustis, Va. He was trained as a combat engineer, equipment operator and explosives expert.
Woods was out of the military for a while, then re-entered the Navy Reserves as a gunner’s mate and was assigned to the USS Truett at Norfolk, Va., for three years; the Charleston, S.C., naval base for a year; the Norfolk Maintenance Authority in the gun shop for three years; Maintenance Planning for safety and equipment inspections for another three years; and then to the Yorktown Weapons Stations at Williamsburg, Va., where he retired.
Woods is a life member of the AMVETS Post 1788, serving as commander off and on over 27 of the last 33 years, is a member and past president of the Naval Enlisted Reserves, life member of American Legion Post 64 in Marietta and a life member of Marine Corps League Sgt. Bob O’Malley Detachment 1436 in Marietta.
Among honors and accomplishments, Woods was inducted into the Washington County Veterans Hall of Fame in 2021, is a member of the Washington County Honor Guard, was named a Kentucky Colonel in May of this year and works with fellow veteran Gene Venham to organize Honor Flights from Columbus.
He is involved in Harmar Lodge No. 390 F&AM in Marietta and was past master in 2019 and is a life member of National Sojourners Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter 572, a veterans group of Masons, and the Heroes of 76.
"I am very proud to be a part of so many veterans organizations that have people who care and get together to brainstorm a need for someone in our community," Woods said. "No one knows what goes on behind the scenes to accomplish the task."
Woods retired from Eramet in 2014. He was a welder.
"I always told my family and friends that when I retire, my plans will be to spend time with family and time to continue my efforts on my Masonic service to Harmar Lodge No. 390, become the master of the lodge and continue to help my brothers through their path in wisdom. And first and foremost to continue to help all veterans any way I could."
Woods was a volunteer driver to take veterans to appointments. The Honor Guard performs about 65 funerals a year, sits with terminally ill veterans and their families and helps with the repatriation of remains of veterans from past wars.
"We took an oath years ago to be there," Woods said.
Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.