Lisa Marchesoni
Posted: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 3:10 pm

World War II veteran Jacob R. McClenny is shown with his cane before he lost it at Wal-Mart.

While loading groceries near Thanksgiving, World War II veteran Jacob R. McClenny accidentally left his walking cane in shopping cart.

The 89-year-old retired Lt. Col. McClenny returned to the Walmart on Old Fort Parkway to search for the cane but couldn’t locate it, said grandson Bill Dunn, a sergeant with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. McClenny is offering a reward for its return.

McClenny’s daughter, Joyce Anderson, said her father purchased the cane in 1976 in Germany.

“The approximately 1-inch medallions (on the cane) represent the places he has been,” Anderson said. “This cane is very special to him and I really would like to see him get it back.”

Dunn described the cane as being a light-colored natural wood.

“It’s very distinctive,” Dunn said.

McClenny flew B-17s in World War II that contributed to his hearing loss.

“His equilibrium is off now,” Dunn said. “He’s pretty unstable. He needs the cane to support him. He uses it from the time he gets up to the time he goes to bed.”

People who have knowledge about the cane may call Anderson at 896-2828.

“We hope whoever found it will call and return it,” Dunn said.

McClenny purchased a cheaper cane so he could get around.

“It meant a whole lot to him,” Dunn said of the sentimental value. “He’s just heart-broken about losing it.”