The Cecil R. Cole Post # 94, of Greenville, will be sponsoring a special tribute for World War II Veterans from the local area. We are planning a dinner to honor all WW II Veterans and will, at that time, make presentations to all those WW II Veterans who attend. We will pay tribute to these members of that "Greatest Generation" on Saturday May 22, 2004. The dinner will be by reservation only. The dinner will be free to any World War II Veteran and their spouse. The community is encouraged to attend this dinner as well (at a nominal charge) in order to properly show our appreciation to this group of local "Heroes". Again, this dinner will be by reservation only and you can make your reservation by contacting one of the following officers: Pete Johnson 695.2019Reservations must be made no later than May 15,2004. In order to assist us in this special event (as well as Memorial Day) we are requesting all World War II Veterans, or their family, complete a data form available at the Town Office and return it to us as soon as possible. We will be honoring all World War II Veterans at the dinner and at the Memorial Day Ceremonies and in the Moosehead messenger. We will include posthumous tributes. The 140 members of the Greenville American Legion appreciate the support we receive from the community. This support allows us to continue our activities helping veterans and the community. We would like to invite any eligible Veterans who are not yet members of the American Legion to join the Cecil R. Cole Post. Please contact any officer above. May is a busy month for American Legion Post # 94 in Greenville. In addition to our World War n Veterans Dinner on the 22nd of May and the Memorial Day Ceremonies on the 31 st of May the following activities will take place. During the week of 17 May members of Post # 94 will post American Flags at over 400 Graves ofVeterans at cemeteries in Greenville, Shirley and Rockwood. Because some of the veterans graves are not clearly marked anl family member that notices a veterans grave without an American Flag after the 24 of May should notify Pete Johnson at 695-2019 or Bump Morrison at 695-3311. During the Month of May, Post # 94 will be preparing for our annual flag disposal of unserviceable flags. The ceremony will take place on Flag Day (June 14th the Army's 229th Birthday). Anyone that has a tom, faded, or otherwise unserviceable flag can turn it in at the American Legion Hall on Pritham Avenue to Ron Levesque Monday through Friday. We will also be starting our summer Kayak or Cash raffle in May and selling tickets at the Village Mart and Indian Hill. We will be prepared to receive unserviceable flags at those locations while we sell raffle tickets. " Let these Flags of our Country be retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rites and their places be taken with bright new Flags of the same size and kind, and let no grave of our soldier, sailor, marine or ainnan dead be unhonored and unmarked." The Flag Disposal Ceremony will be open to the public on the evening of 14 June. Blue Star Banners are presented by Post # 94 to families that have members currently serving on active duty. By providing service to the families of those fighting the war on terrorism, the American Legion family, demonstrates that the special bond formed in military uniform is not broken by years or generations of warriors. It is a lifetime bond we will not forget. We will continue our campaign to recognize those families during this difficult and demanding year for American military service members. Post # 94' s Weekly Veterans Profile salutes the following World War II veterans: Forrest Whitman of Greenville attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force. He served for 28 years and saw action in the Pacific Theater during World War II as a navigator for 40 missions on a B24 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 7 Air Medals. Lionel Breau of Greenville attained the rank of Private First Class in the us Army. He saw combat in Europe as a Mortar Platoon -3rd Gunner where he fought in 6 major battles with the 1 st Army, 3rd Army, Sth Army and 7th Army. Lionel was involved in some of the most significant battles in the history of the United States and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Europe. After that he served as part of the occupation force in the Philippines and was preparing to invade Japan when the Atomic bomb ended the War. If you see Lionel or Forrest around town thank them for their service to our country. |