My great grandfather. He died two years before I was born so I never met him. Emmetsburg Democrat Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa Thursday, March 23, 1944 McNally's Service to Country Spans 2 Wars The service Ed McNally, popular and widely known Emmetsburg real estae man, has rendered to his country has spanned two wars. This was noted recently when Mr McNally received a Certificate of Appreciation signed by President Roosevelt for his service on the Palo Alto Selective Service board of which he is chairman. At the close of the last World War, more than a quarter of a century ago, he received a similar certificate signed by President Wilson for similar services rendered. It is about the only thanks a selective service board member gets for a very difficult and thankless job, which draws no pay, but which renders a great service to his country. Other members of the Palo Alto board who have served since it was organized and began operation in 1941 also received the citation. The certificate Mr McNally received in the first World War was in the nature of a commission. At that time the late W.I. Branagan was chairman of the board and the late E.A. Morling, chief justice of the supreme court, was secretary. The certificate he received the other day which is also signed by Governor Hickenlooper and General Grahl, says: "In grateful recognition of uncompensated services patriotically rendered his country in the administration of the Selective Service System." Emmetsburg Democrat Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa Thursday, March 17, 1945 Ed M'Nally Resign as Board Head Sees Serious Injury to Farming Edward McNally, prominent Emmetsburg man, has resigned as chiarman of the Palo Alto County Selective Service board after serving on the board since it was founded in the pre-war days. The chief reason Mr. McNally resigned is because he is out of sympathy with the demand for farmers in the service when they are needed to produce food on the farm. His Reasons. "I am resigning, for one reason, because too many men are being taken off the farm," he said. I do not see the sense in urging all out farm production and then having orders come in demanding the very men who would make increased farm production possible. "I do not understand why the men in the factories should be protected from military service at the expense of farmers who are responsible for feeding the servicemen, the factory workers, and the rest of the world. "While I was serving on the board, men called were not taken. I did not see why we should call up men if they were not to be taken. So I resigned. When I resigned, the headquarters cancelled the order for the men. This happened more than once. "If they do not intend to take the men, headquarters should not require us to call them up and send them for examinations. This is a useless waste of expense and of time for all concerned." Mr. McNally has the unusual record of serving on the draft board of World War I as well as with Selective Service in this war. He has been cited by the government for his outstanding service in both. Real Regret. Widely known and highly respected, his services have been highly valued by the community and it is with real regret his resignation becomes known. He has long held a common sense view of Selective Service, feeling more is lost than is gained by over-supplying the armed forces when essential work goes begging at home. Mayor Harold E Barringer, a member of the board, has been named chairman to succeed Mr McNally. Other members of the board are Henry H. Willingham, Jorgen Andersen, Graettinger; and Allen B Carter of West Bend. The board members, and W.H.H. Steiner, board clerk, and Mrs. Steiner, who is employed in the office have adopted the following resolution expressing regret at Mr McNally's resignation. Whereas, Our esteemed friend and fellow citizen, Edward McNally, has seen fit to resign as chairman of the Palo Alto county Local Board, and Whereas, He has for many years filled the office from which he now retires, with great ability and satisfaction, therefore, Be It Resolved, That we hereby express to him that his resignation was accepted with deep regret by the remainder of the Board and the clerical assistants; and to extend to him our sincere thanks for his untiring labors in behalf of our organization and of the public interest; and to let him know that his judgment and understanding will be missed at all future meetings. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, properly engrossed, be presented to him as a mark of our esteem.