Who’s Older? Warren or the Car?
If you guessed the car, you are correct – but not by much.
Warren Greenawalt Jr. was born and raised in Mount Joy and will celebrate his 99th birthday in June. (He was born in 1925). The car in which he was riding in the parade is a 1920 Franklin Series 9B.
And now some history…
Warren served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946. After graduating from aviation machinist school, he returned to the Naval Air Transport Squadron VR-4 until being re-assigned for duty in Fleet Air Wing 18 Camp Unit on the island of Tinian in the Marianas. His duties were to take care of Read Admiral Greer’s plane. Whenever the JRB-4 twin engine Beechcraft flew, Warren went along. Most trips were daily to Guam to meet with Admiral Nimitz. During this time he was promoted from Seaman 1st class to Aviation Machinist’s Mate. Warren was at the Army airfield when the B-29 bomber Enola Gay was launched. He served in the Naval Reserve in 1948 and served as an aviation machinist until 1956. Thank you, Warren, for your service!
The beautiful and rare yellow-with-black-fender car that you saw in the parade is a 1920 Franklin Series 9B made in Syracuse, NY. It is owned by Dave and Pam Reist of Mount Joy and proudly holds high the banner of the Mount Joy Area Historical Society. A unique feature of the Franklin is the air-cooled engine which generates the power of 25 sturdy horses. Comfortable speed is 30-35 mph topping out at about 40. A Franklin Series 9B played an important role in the founding of Reist Popcorn Co 99 years ago and will be used to celebrate Reist’s Centennial next year.
It seems, all history is connected!