Vernon Grant's wife shares his legacy

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (WMTV) --- One woman from the Wisconsin Dells will be at the American Legion State Convention in Middleton, sharing her husband's legacy.

Inside her Wisconsin Dells home, Betsy Grant is surrounded by her late husband's sense of humor and imagination.

"He was an artist all of his life. He was also in the army for ten years but he drew pictures from the age three on. He just loved drawing," Betsy Grant said.

Vernon Grant served in Vietnam and drew comics of everyday life including Point-Man Palmer, a lighthearted look at Army life in the 1960s.

"He was able to show the life of a soldier with humor. I think he just realized that you have to find a little bit of humor in what you're doing within your life."

it's been nearly a decade since he passed away, but Grant continues to share his life, work, and illustrations.

"I'm primarily promoting this month his military humor," Grant explained. "I realized the Vietnam era veterans are still with us but they won't be with us that much longer and they are the folks who really enjoy some of the humor that's in the books."

Grant hopes Vernon's humor will spread across generations, and provide a brighter spot in someone's day.

"There's so many serious things in this world to be aware of and need to be aware of. We can't ignore what's happening around us but to be able to bring humor to someone's life I feel is just a wonderful gift. I'm happy I can share it," Grant said. "I loved Vernon so much. I love the idea that i can help keep him alive by doing this."

The American Legion State Convention started Thursday, July 14 and runs through Saturday, July 16.

Grant will travel to her husband's hometown in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Massachusetts governor declared July 28 as Vernon Grant Day.