Nostalgic memories

Veterans Tea a 55-plus year tradition

Laughter and a lot of conversations could be heard Saturday morning and early afternoon as dozens of veterans gathered at the Historic Women’s Club to reminisce about old times during Porterville’s annual Veterans Day Tea.

The beloved tradition, originally known as the Colonial Tea, and later as the Old Timer’s Tea, is a 55-plus year Porterville tradition that honors military veterans and their families. Put on by the Porterville Women’s Club, it offers veterans a place to gather to talk, joke and laugh with friends old and new.

Numerous tables were covered with red linens and decorated with red, white and blue centerpieces, each one featuring a spray of foil stars and a miniature American flag. An assortment of cookies, along with punch, coffee and tea, were also available.

“This is such a wonderful treat,” said Russel H. Kehn of Lindsay, a World War II pilot. “It is nice to see so many people at the parade, but this — this is for us, to share with other guys and learn their history. It’s a great opportunity for us to gather. An opportunity to gather with our buddies from all the different wars.”

Kehn, 92, praised the women who put on the tea, and said he is disappointed to see fewer veterans at the Tea each year. It was a sentiment heard again and again by several people in attendance.

“We are not seeing as many people as we used to,” said Bobbie Caulk. “But there are also people here we have not seen in so long. It’s nice of the Women’s Club to do this. We always look forward to this.”

Her husband, Dearl Caulk, who fought in World War II and Korea, was a mechanic in the U.S. Air Force and had worked on Kehn’s airplane.

Visiting at the same table was Marie League, a Rosie the Riveter, who met and married her sweetheart at age 17 during the war. And while he was off fighting for the country, she went to work for the Defense as soon as she turned 18.

“This is the first time I come directly here,” League said. “I usually

go to the parade, but this year I just came here. I can miss the parade, but I didn’t want to miss this.”

Among those in attendance was Flora

Dearden.

“I’ve been coming to this for years and years,” Dearden said. “I’m originally from Los Angeles. My mother opened a restaurant where Porterville College is now. It was all a walnut grove out there back then.”

John Peters, who has lived in Porterville since 1969, said he was never in the armed forces, but he honors veterans and appreciates every one of them.

“It’s because of them we have freedom in our country,” Peters said. “I was invited by friends

and I’ve been coming here for 10 years.”

Tom Bodley, who was in the U.S. Airforce from 1954 to 1962, talked about his time in Vietnam and Korea, and of his work with strategic air command.

Sitting at a nearby table was Les Doyel, a veteran who spent time in the South Pacific during World War II, and in

the Korean War.

“Most people (once) here are gone now,” Doyel said.

Norma Doyel, a member of the Women’s Club who helps run the Veterans Tea, said they actually had more people attending than last year, but it was still a small group.

“We used to fill this place. There would be veterans and families at every table,” she said.

One reason for the dwindling numbers is because younger people have not discovered the value or appreciation of veterans, Kehn said.

“What I would like to see is young veterans with their wives and families cherish this experience,” Kehn said. “Only then can we begin to fill this place again.”