Leonard Semkin, of Sedalia, learned the importance of good driving when he served in World War II.
He was drafted into the Army at the age of 19. He reported for duty on March 5, 1943, at Leavenworth, Kan. He was sent to Camp Campbell, Ky., for six week of basic training. He then took seven weeks of training learning how to drive and maintain in heavy-armored Sherman tanks.
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