This image depicts Pfc Glenn Harris shortly before shipping out to the Pacific Theater in World War II. Click Story for more on the identification and repatriation of his remains after he perished following the Bataan Death March in the Philippines in 1942. He was laid to rest—at long last—with his siblings and three generations of their ancestors at Pleyto Cemetery on Saturday September 30, 2023.
OF LOCAL INTEREST: Glenn is the elder brother of the Paso Robles Santa Claus for 25+ years, Wayne Harris. Hundreds of children sat on his knee every Christmas season; many came back decades later to bring their own children to his knee—and yes, the full white beard was always real! Wayne (RIP 2018) was Grand Marshal for the 2008 Pioneer Day Parade, and a prominent member, host and tour guide at the Pioneer Museum. (Image below Glenn’s is “Santa Wayne” in 2015 at the park kiosk with his great grands Juliana and Justin Sneed.)
