Alex Slitz/Daily NewsLarry Roper of Bowling Green, who served in the Navy from 1976-79, pauses today during a veterans brick laying ceremony at the Warren County Courthouse.

When James E. Keown joined the United States Air Force in 1948, he couldn’t have known that his four younger brothers would all decide to follow in his footsteps and serve in the military, but they did.

“It was just like a chain reaction,” said Donald Keown.

In total, the Keown brothers have 53 years of service to their credit and they all now have bricks in the Veterans Memorial Garden at the Old Courthouse.

“Apparently, that’s a prerequisite if you’re going to be a Keown, you have to serve in the military,” said Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon as he recognized the late James E. Keown and three of his surviving brothers, David L. Keown, Donald E. Keown and Raymond N. Keown, at a ceremony this morning. Brother Paul Keown already had a brick at the garden.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said Norma Keown, Paul’s wife, of all the brothers now having a brick in their honor.

“We’re proud to be one of the many families in Warren County that have over half a century of military service,” said David Keown, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1963.

Donald Keown served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1958 and Raymond Keown served in the Army from 1953 to 1955.

“I’m very proud that all five brothers served,” said Norma Wilson, the Keown brothers’ sister.

The five brothers aren’t the only members of the family recognized at the memorial garden. Their ancestor, Thomas Keown, is listed on the marker for those who served during the Revolutionary War, and David’s father-in-law, Lawrence Adams, who served during World War II, was also recognized this morning.

David Keown said that the brothers served all over the world and were often in different places at once, including underwater. They were all back in Warren County by 1971, at which time they celebrated the fact that they’d all made it back home alive.

As Buchanon welcomed guests to the ceremony, he said how important the memorial garden is to people.

“This has become a special place for our community and those who pass through town,” Buchanon said.

This morning’s ceremony also recognized members of another local family, the Ropers.

Donnie L. Roper, who served in the Navy from 1978 to 2000, and his brother, Larry J. Roper, who also served in the Navy from 1976 to 1979, were honored, and Larry’s son, James C. Wheeler, who served in the Army during Vietnam from 1968 to 1992, was honored as well.