Sgt. Nicholas John 'Jack' Valentine was serving in the U.S. Army in December 1950 when he went missing in action during the battle of the Chosin Reservoir. After more than seven decades, his remains were identified this past spring, and on May 21, 2021, he was returned to Grant County. 

After his remains were flown from Hawaii to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, he was transported to Lancaster, escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders and Vets Roll volunteer honors escorts. A military honors guard completed a dignified transfer of the remains to Martin Schwartz Funeral Home, which then had an observation for the family. Sgt. Valentine will be laid to rest at his family plot at the St. Charles Cemetery May 25.

The story about Sgt. Valentine and his family's reaction to his return is in the May 13 edition of the Grant County Herald Independent, while coverage of his return will be in the May 27 edition