Saying 'goodbye' to an American hero
posted Wednesday, October 10th, 2012 @ 7:01 am

Column by Rod Elrod

Mr. James Coyt Bryan of Fort Necessity died Tuesday at the age of 93.

He was buried Friday.

In many ways, he lived a regular life. He married his wife, Cathelene, 72 years ago in Rocky Branch and raised a family of two sons and one daughter. He worked, retiring as a captain of detectives with the Monroe Police Department. He enjoyed laughing and dancing and spent some of his retirement days as a dance instructor. Little old ladies liked him because he was so graceful and light on his feet and such a nice man.

But Coyt Bryan wasn't just a nice man who lived a regular life. He was an American soldier in World War II who fought in close combat for many months. Pain and suffering and death were a part of his daily routine.

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