By Emily Hagedorn
Enquirer Contributor

The Heinisch family will have a lot to think about when they go to the unveiling of the National World War II monument in Washington, D.C., this Memorial Day.

Four brothers will reminisce about serving in the war, their dad's work as clerk of the draft board, and the ways the war changed the lives of the family originally from Vanceburg, Ky.

"I will have a satisfaction that my four brothers will be honored," said Jim Heinisch, 72, of Atlanta. "I will feel a great sense of satisfaction that we will have a family reunion and all of us will be there."

While now scattered between Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky and Atlanta, the family of nine has always been close-knit.

After their mother died, the older children helped raise the younger ones, said William Heinisch, 77, of McDowell, Ky.

This close nature was tested when the four oldest brothers - Wayne, Howard, Ernest and William - were drafted.

Wayne, Ernest and Howard served in the Army, with Howard in Okinawa, Japan, and Wayne and Ernest in the United States.

William went into the Navy, attending pre-flight training.

When a draft notice came, it was especially hurtful for the family because their father, Reynold Heinisch, was the Lewis County Draft Board clerk.

"It was a hard job for him to tell young people he knew they were going into the service," said Wayne Heinisch, 87, of Cincinnati. "As we think about it now, we could see Dad go down every time he had to deliver a draft notice."

The end of the war brought relief for the family but it was short lived.

Reynold died July 23, 1945 - two months after Victory in Europe Day, May 8.

All but William Heinisch were able to return to Vanceburg for the funeral.

Jim was too young to enlist in World War II but has always felt beholden to his brothers, which is why he arranged the Washington, D.C., trip, he said.

This will be the first trip in more than 10 years that the entire family is together, he said.

Lynn Heinisch, 37, Wayne's granddaughter, called the trip "vintage Heinisch."

"The family has always taken care of one another through some very difficult times," she said.