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Veterans remembered, honored at local nursing home

Herald-Standard - 2/18/2018

Veterans receive special valentines during group gathering to honor their service.

“When terror and invasion were real threats, they showed us they could handle any storm.”

That’s how Joyce Wrigley described war veterans in a poem she read last week while honoring those at Cherry Tree Nursing Center in Uniontown.

Wrigley was there Thursday with Valerie Brady and Connie Nicholson, all of the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War group, to present the small group with gift bags for Valentine’s Day.

“We would like to honor all of you and present everyone with a little gift. It’s a little something to let you know we’ve not forgotten you and that you’re remembered,” Brady said.

Bright pink and red bags were filled with puzzle books and blankets for the veterans, and topped with small American Flags to display in their rooms. The men honored that afternoon included John Menhart, Richard Methven, Ronald Davis, Jerry Yocabet, Larry DelPinto, Allen Chrise, Harry Means and Jim Springer.

Part of the women’s presentation included the poem Wrigley read, titled “The Best on Earth: A Veteran’s Day Tribute” by Joanna Fuchs, with words of encouragement and honor for veterans.

“Our veterans should be celebrities; They’re exceptional; no other group compares. We’re grateful for the many things they’ve done; They’re always in our hearts and in our prayers,” she read. “We owe our veterans support and friendship; Let no one ever question what they’re worth.”

Nicholson also read a prayer for the group, noting that they are “worthy men and women who gave their best.”

“We pray you’ll bless them Lord for their unselfish service,” she prayed.”We respect them, we honor them.”

Wrigley asked the group about their service, many of them commenting that they’d served in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and even World War II.

Jerry Yocabet said he served four years in the military, in both the Navy and Marine Corps.

When asked if anyone had any stories or memories they wanted to share, veteran Larry DelPinto said no.

“I try to forget it,” he said.

According to Brady, recognizing and honoring veterans aren’t new concepts for their group.

“We do different things for them,” she said. “We thought it would be nice to do something nice for the veterans here in Fayette County.”

They discussed the possibility of honoring them at Christmas time, though there are often other organizations that do their work around that time.

“We settled on Valentine’s Day,” Brady said.

“Thank you all for your service,” she told the group. “We really appreciate all you did.”