They
were a hearty bunch 75 years ago and they're a hearty bunch now,
braving near-freezing temperatures that promised to keep falling as VFW
Calabash Post #7288's 12th Annual dinner party to Honor World War Two
veterans and remember Pearl Harbor continued into the evening hours.
They were warmed, though, by the camaraderie with some 29 members of the
"Greatest Generation" gathered for the December 10th event, which included a sit-down dinner and entertainment.
Only
a few years ago there were 50 World War Two veterans at the annual
event. This year the number has dwindled as it does each year. There
were 16 million men and women involved in that war and of that number,
only 620 thousand are still living today.
As we peruse those figures we realize that although many have passed
away over the years we are blessed to still have with us those who
attended this year.
Calabash
Mayor Mary Knight thanked the veterans for their service and praised
their loved ones who supported them back home. In his after-dinner
remarks VFW Calabash Post #7288 Commander Rick Arvonio expressed the
sentiments of all who came to honor the World War Two veterans when he
said "I stand here today and salute you and thank each of you for your service and your sacrifice for every American." He noted that, "at a time when the world was at war the call went out and you answered that call, making the stand for freedom.”
Before
they braved the cold outside to head home each World War Two veteran
was presented with a challenge coin to remember this year's observance
at VFW Calabash Post #7288. Inscribed on one side of the coin is "World
War II Victory" and on the reverse "World War II Honorable Service".
We hope to see them all next year!
