Honoring our local veterans on both world war anniversaries
‘We had one recipient… who had turned 100… while our last recipient was asleep and would receive his coin later’
The Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and Hidden Springs Senior Living Facility combined for a virtual commemoration ceremony for World War II veterans — members of the Greatest Generation — living at the facility.
In addition, the Culpeper MinuteMen Chapter VASSAR joined other Virginia chapters for the virtual celebration of the 9 WWII veterans at Hidden Springs, located in Front Royal.
This event coincided with the Victory in Europe in May 1945, observed Dale Corey, spokesperson for the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution
The State of Virginia has minted coins to honor the 75th Anniversary of Victory in World War II and the 100th Anniversary of World War I. Due to restrictions caused by the pandemic, a virtual ceremony was developed by the Veterans Affairs Committee of the Colonel James Wood II Chapter and Hidden Springs, he explained.
The SAR portion was made via zoom with physical presentation made by facility staff members complying with designated safety guidelines.
There are nine WWII veterans living at the facility. They are Dick Bentley, Frank Brandon, Sydney Garner, Bill Griffith, Ben Lacy, Don LaFever, Al Lawrence, Jeanne Montgomery and Ross Montgomery.
To facilitate the needs of these individuals, the ceremony was conducted in three locations within the facility.
The event was led by a short welcome from Dale Corey, Veterans Affairs; an invocation by Reverend Jim Simmons and the Pledge of Allegiance by Paul Christensen. This was followed by a welcome and greetings from Bill Schwetke, President, Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (VASSAR) and Marc Robinson, President, Colonel James Wood II Chapter.
This was followed by a presentation by Brett Osborn, National Society Sons of the American Revolution, Veterans Affairs Committee. Compatriot Osborn briefly described events surrounding the surrender of the Axis powers. The instrument was signed May 7, 1945 with all hostilities ceasing on May 8,
an hour before midnight.
The event coincided with President Harry Truman's 61st birthday, who dedicated the victory to the memory of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had died April 12, 1945 after leading the country through the majority of the war, Corey educates.
It was noted that 70 million people fought in WWII. Major players in the Allied powers saw massive casualties. The Soviet Union lost 7.5 million soldiers, China 2.2 million, the United States 400,000 and Great Britain 330,000.
For the Axis, Germany had 3.5 million and Italy 77,000 casualties.
After the presentation, Daryl Davison, owner of Hidden Springs presented Certi cates of Appreciation and the Virginia Coins to the veterans.
The event was attended via zoom were Je Thomas, 1st VP, VASSAR: Ken Bonner, Color Guard Commander, VASSAR; Mike Weyler, President Colonel
William Grayson Chapter SAR; Charles James, President Culpeper MinuteMen Chapter; and CJWII members Chip Daniel, Lew Ewing, Don Dusenbury, Rob Fagan & Ralph Pierce.
Charles Jameson, president of the Culpeper MinuteMen, Chapter VASSAR, also pointed out that the event featured the sta staging three separate settings for the veterans to receive their state commissioned coin.
“The coins were minted to honor the 75th anniversary of victory in WWII and the 100th anniversary of WWI. We had a husband and wife, Ross and Jeanne Montgomery (Jeanne actually served with the British Army),” said Jameson.
“We had one recipient Frank Brandon who had turned 100. It was a great honor for us to be in attendance to see 8 of the 9 veterans receive their coin while our last recipient was asleep and would receive his coin later.”