World War II Veteran presented with new cane - By Elizabeth Richards

Horace “Bud” Fogg thought he was just having breakfast with family at his favorite spot, Thayer’s Store, in Windham. When he arrived, a small crowd was gathered to watch him receive a handcrafted cane inlaid with replicas of the service medals he earned while serving in the military during World War II.
 

The cane was presented by Detective Ray Williams, and purchased by the Windham Police Association. Williams, who was the driving force behind the effort, said he has known Fogg and his family for years, and often ran into him having breakfast at Thayer’s. Last year, Fogg told Williams that he’d lost his new cane. “It became kind of a joke,” said Williams. “Whenever I was in here having coffee or breakfast he’d ask ‘did you find my cane yet?’” So Williams approached the Windham Police Association about replacing the cane. At the same time, he said, he thought it would be nice to memorialize Fogg’s military service. He found artist Shawn Hussey’s online business www.veteranshikingsticksandcanes.com, and ordered the wooden cane. 

“He has quite a distinguished service,” said Williams, including three bronze stars, a purple heart, and campaign medals for D Day. Fogg left the military as a staff sergeant. 

“It means a lot to me, because my father served in Korea, my son served in Afghanistan, I have a niece and nephew that are in the Marine Corps and the Navy – it’s part of my family, to recognize veterans. I just thought it was the least we could do for all the sacrifices he made,” said Williams.

Fogg had no idea why the crowd was gathered. His enthusiastic exclamations when presented with the new cane spoke volumes, though he declined to say a few words to the crowd. When asked how receiving the gift felt, he answered, “It feels great. I feel like the president!” 

Fogg’s daughter, Mary, was present for the event. She said her father is a man of few words, but he takes everything to heart. “He loves everybody here. That’s how he moves through the world. He loves everybody, and everybody loves him,” she said.