Carolyn Doty
Arnold Volunteers
Carolyn Doty is a Loyal Friend to All Military Veterans
“Every veteran is a hero to me.”
A typical “sweet little old lady,” Carolyn Doty is not. People call her a devoted red, white and blue volunteer – plus a whole lot more.
Now 80, Carolyn served the Arnold Veterans Commission for many years as a patriotic volunteer. You might say she was essential.
Why did Carolyn do that after taking on her volunteer role seven years ago?
“When I was little we lived near a Veterans Administration home and I saw many servicemen go there needing help,” she remembers. “I promised myself that I would do whatever I could to make them happy because it made me happy to see smiles on their faces.”
“I grew up in the small town of Robinson, Illinois, before our family moved to Arnold, and we lost a lot of young men there to serving in World War Two,” she says.
“One of my earliest memories is collecting empty rifle shells when I was six years old at memorial service gun salutes honoring the men who died fighting overseas.
“My father Charles Lee Stantz served in the Army in the Philippines. My first husband Fred Lee Shrylock was in Korea. My second husband Jack Doty served in England, France, Germany and Holland. They all returned home safely. I am very proud of them, rest their souls, to this day.”
Every year, Carolyn helped plan and manage Arnold’s annual Veterans Day Parade for the Arnold Veterans Commission. She got pictures taken of VIPs, made sure that American flags fly at Arnold City Hall on Veteran’s Day and, importantly, she served as the Commission’s official historian.
At City Hall meetings where Veterans Commission matters were discussed, Carolyn reported to the City Council about the Commission’s activities. She often brought her homemade cookies to the meetings for everyone to enjoy.
Carolyn Doty of Arnold stands by the fireplace near her father’s folded and framed funeral flag. She models the colorful U.S.A. heavy leather jacket that she always wears at Veteran parades and events. A gilded American eagle statuette and an American flag are at her side.
Carolyn Doty holds a framed photograph of her first husband Fred Lee Shrylock, who served in Korea while in the U.S. Army. “He was so handsome in his Army uniform and that is one reason why I married him,” Carolyn says with a smile.
But that’s not all. Carolyn’s commitment helped Arnold gain official Purple Heart City and POW-MIA City designations to honor and raise awareness of POW/MIA and wounded military veterans in the region.
Her lifelong commitment to helping veterans got bigger when she began volunteering with the Arnold Veterans Commission. The Commission originated on August 1, 2013. Then as now, there are seven voting members: Three veterans, two members designated by VFW Post #2593, plus an alternate and a City Council Liaison.
The new Commission was complete when Carolyn served as the alternate to make a quorum to enable voting. Carolyn never missed a meeting. In early 2015 one member resigned and Carolyn became a Citizen Member.
Carolyn served the Arnold Veterans Commission from August 1, 2013 until May 31, 2020. She reluctantly resigned her role due to the Covid-19 crisis. She didn’t have the disease and didn’t want to risk getting it by being near groups of people.
Mary Ellen Cox, Executive Secretary for the City Arnold, says, “Carolyn is a unique lady. She was so happy to join the Veterans Commission. I always enjoy talking with her because she is so enthusiastic about it. She is very kind and supportive, and very committed to her cause. She is a good friend to many people whether they are veterans or not.”
Gary Plunk, Ward 4 Councilman, is the Veteran’s Commission’s City Council Liaison. He says, “I’ve had the honor to serve alongside Carolyn. Her commitment to supporting veterans and their families has never wavered; if anything it continues to grow. She collects all sorts of patriotic arts and crafts for auction to raise dollars for our veterans at the VA and locally. She’s created historic scrapbooks with photos, news clippings, event notes and memories of Veteran’s parades. With her retirement, there is a giant void, a position to be filled with high expectations awaiting. Thank you Carolyn Doty for your excellent service. I salute you.”
Arnold Mayor Ron Counts plans to present Carolyn Doty with a special community service award when the pandemic dissipates for all she’s done to help the Veterans Commission, and military veterans in general.
Although she’s retired from being as busy as she was, Carolyn is promoting the idea of building a VA hospital near Arnold. “I’d really like to see one here because a lot of veterans need help.”
Where will she be on November 11 this year? Carolyn responds: “Celebrating Veteran’s Day!”
By Jeff Dunlap, for the City of Arnold