> News Elsewhere > Northern Chautauqua County

Email: "Thank you, veterans"
*To:		<--TO Email REQUIRED!
*From:		<--FROM Email REQUIRED!

SINCLAIRVILLE — Veterans of all ages representing all branches of the services were honored at a luncheon Tuesday at Sinclairville Elementary School, held to mark Veteran’s Day. There was a veteran of the Iraq War, some from Vietnam and several World War II vets. One came in a wheelchair. They brought items to show the young students what it was like to defend America. It was part of a program initiated several years ago by Jeanne Oag of the Sinclairville Parent Teachers Organization and Teddy LeBaron, commander of the David Vern Luce American Legion. “We send out invitations to area veterans and family members of our students who have served their country,” Oag said. On Tuesday, 30 of them showed up wearing various uniforms or civilian clothes. It didn’t matter to the kids — they were just glad to have their guests for whom they performed a series of songs, after they had finished their lunch together. Kerry Askin’s fourth-grade class sang songs representing each of the service branches while the kindergartners in Valerie Holmes class sang about honoring America. “We are lucky to live in a free country,” Miss Holmes said. Alex Johnson had his grandfather, Lorrelle Johnson and his great grandfather, Warner Johnson attend the Sinclairville Veteran’s Day luncheon. Both veterans came to talk with the kindergartners in Miss Holmes class. One young man in the class asked about the medals WWII veteran Warner Johnson wore on his uniform. Mr. Johnson explained they represented his fighting in the European Theater, a good conduct medal and a Purple Heart he earned for being wounded. “We landed behind the enemy lines in glider planes that were capable of carrying a jeep, along with soldiers,” he told the students. His son, Lorrelle Johnson, was a Marine who saw combat in Vietnam. “Sad things happened during that war,” he said. The same young man who asked about the medals on Mr. Warner’s uniform said he had seen the Vietnam Wall memorial. “It was filled with the names of the soldiers who died in that war,” he said. Fortunately for the men who showed up for the Sinclairville Elementary School luncheon, they all returned home to reunite with their families and friends.

 

Subscribe to Post-Journal

Share: