Post will bear Ebling's name

TALKEETNA -- The Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Talkeetna will officially carry the name of one of its members and local heroes after a formal ceremony this week. Formerly the Mt. McKinley VFW Post 3836, the post will officially be called the Myron F. "Ace" Ebling Memorial Post 3836 following a June 14 ceremony on location.

Ebling was a Talkeetna mover and shaker who was extremely involved in community activities and veterans' affairs, who died last August.

In a notice announcing the change posted in the Upper Susitna Seniors Inc. newsletter it was written, "Our beloved Ace will live forever in our hearts and I know he would be so humbled and pleased with this honor. Well deserved, yet a small token for all he has done for not only Post 3836, but also for all that have had the pleasure crossing his path. Of course Elinore, his better half as he would put it, is also our other cornerstone of the post and community. We hope everyone will be able to attend this awesome and historical community event."

Mae Tischer, president of the USSI board talked of Ebling's dedication to veterans and to the Talkeetna cemetery. "My first encounter with Ace he pretty much was a one-man person when it came to the cemetery in Talkeetna, and he really did a beautiful job there," she said. "He was a true died-in-the-wool veteran who was dedicated to that cause."

Jack Crimmings, VFW post commander in Talkeetna, said the dedication was a foregone conclusion. "I don't think anybody knows who brought it up first," Crimmings said. "We all just thought so much of Ace it was kind of a unanimous type of thing. Ace was kind of the father of our post, and losing him was quite a tragedy."

Ebling's wife of 52 years spoke humbly of the award. "It's a great honor and I appreciate them honoring him. He would have been so proud," she said.

The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m., June 14, with a dinner to follow the ceremony, Crimmings said. Featured guest speaker at the event will be a friend of Ebling's, Congressional Medal of Honor winner Sam Soe, one of the few remaining "Code Talkers" -- an Indian who used his language during World War II as code to thwart the Japanese from learning of United States military actions.

Ebling died on Aug. 4, 2002, at Providence Hospital after suffering from cardio pulmonary arrest, according to his obituary published at the time.

He was born Feb. 28, 1926, in Buffalo, N.Y., and came to Alaska in 1962. In his obituary his family said, "An Alaskan original, Ace loved life and loved people. As a long-time resident of Alaska and the Talkeetna area, Ace was known to many near and far. Always willing to lend a hand or offer a favor, no person could ask for a better friend."

Crimmings told of Ebling's friendship and how it affected him. "He came to my house two days before he died, on a four-wheeler, and he was sitting in my driveway and asking me what he could do for me," Crimmings said, still as if in disbelief since Ebling was not well at the time. "Everybody loved him and I was one of them," he said.

Ebling served 32 years in the military and was a lifetime member and past commander of the VFW Post that will now carry his name. He was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Masons, AmVets, American Legion, Upper Susitna Seniors and the Episcopal Church. He is also credited with initiating the Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival, according to his obituary, an annual Talkeetna event and fundraiser attended by hundreds of people each year.

"He was instrumental in most of the good things that happened in Talkeetna and the VFW," Crimmings said. "He was just that kind of guy."

Ebling is survived by his wife Elinore Ebling; sister Sally Stiles; nieces, Chris Balch, Sue Clark, Carol Ebling and Janice Ebling; and nephews, Bill Ebling, Dave Ebling, Jim Ebling, Ric Ebling, Robert Clark and Tom Ebling. He also had a very extensive extended family residing in Alaska and throughout the United States. He was preceded in death by his son, Curtis Frederick.

"He was our mentor around here," Crimmings said. "Of the people that were involved with the VFW, he was an example. We're trying to fill his shoes and they're hard shoes to fill."