VFW Calabash Post 7288 knew it would come to
this...losing World War Two veteran Pat Patterson who is moving back to
his native Ohio to be close to family. The 96-year-old Patterson, who
was held Prisoner of War in a German prison camp after the plane he was
piloting was shot down, had been a regular at Post meetings, events or
just stopping by to spend time with his friends at the Post Canteen, most recently assisted by his nephew Bruce Patterson, pictured above. He
lit up the room when he entered and was a model for all at the Post
with his smile, his positive attitude and sense of humor. As the date
neared for his departure there were events in his honor and one more day
of camaraderie with his friends on September 23rd when he enjoyed his last noontime lunch at the Post. Then came September 29th,
the bittersweet day when Patterson would board a plane bound for
Cincinnati where his immediate family members awaited.
VFW Calabash Post 7288 Commander Rick Arvonio, left, and Post Trustee Bob Stocklin got one more chance to say farewell to Pat before he boarded the plane home
It was bitter
because members of VFW Calabash Post 7288 will miss him deeply. It was
sweet because he's always wanted to some day return to his home turf and
spend time with family.
