Wisconsin Korean War vet's family asks for 91st birthday cards. It might be his last hooah

KEWAUNEE - Ed Engle's family would like you to send Ed a birthday card, even if you don't know him.

Engle is a Korean War veteran, U.S. Army, who turns 91 years old Friday, Aug. 23. His family was told it likely will be his last birthday, and they want to make it a special one.

Engle was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and moved into nursing home in Kewaunee in April, then was placed on hospice care two weeks ago because of the disease's progression. His daughter and her husband decided to uproot themselves from East Peoria, Illinois, bought a house in the city last week, and moved themselves and Engle into it to watch over him and allow him to spend his final days at home.

The prognosis also led Engle's granddaughter, Sheena Coenen Philbee, to try to make something special happen for him.

After consulting with her mother, Philbee wrote a Facebook message to the Star-News saying Engle "absolutely loves to look at cards and to read them," and she is asking people to send him a birthday card in the next week.

"(It's) because they don't feel he'll make it to another birthday," Philbee said in an interview with the Star-News. "He doesn't have a ton of family left. I thought if he got a bunch of cards, it would make him feel loved, make him think, 'Wow, look at all these people who care about me.'"

Philbee said anyone can send a card, even if it's late for his birthday, but she hopes other veterans especially respond to the call. She said Engle is a very proud veteran who's almost always wearing his hat that says "Korea Veteran."

"I think it's important that all veterans are recognized in some way," Philbee said, "but I wanted to do something special for him."

Cards for Engle's 91st birthday should be mailed to Ed Engle, 719 First St., Kewaunee, WI 54216.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-741-7952, 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Wisconsin Korean War vet's family asks for 91st birthday cards. It might be his last hooah