Thank You Korean War Veterans Day

For several weeks in August and September, a request for a count of Korean War veterans in the Lancaster County area was placed in local newspapers. Patriotic instructor Anne Loechner and Commander Joel Ellis received over 150 responses from Korean War veterans; from those calls a list of names was created, and callers were invited to a special event. Then, on September 26, 2010, nearly 100 Korean War veterans and their guests attended a Thank You Korean War Veterans Day Dessert Social at VFW Post 1463.

On arrival, each veteran was welcomed by Anne, Commander Ellis and Richard Getz, Jr., District 9 Commander. Upon entering the Post, each veteran received a personalized certificate of recognition, a copy of the day’s program and buddy poppies. A panel of speakers including Anne, Commander Joel Ellis, Senator John Brubaker and Representative John Bear, as well as former Mayor Russell Pettyjohn representing Mayor Oettel, addressed the gathering. Anne gave a history of the war’s time line and statistics. On behalf of the VFW Post and the Ladies Auxiliary, Commander Ellis welcomed all veterans and their guests to our Post. John Bear and Mike Brubaker presented a declaration recognizing VFW Post 1463 for hosting a salute to Korean War Veterans. Former Mayor Pettyjohn mingled with the attendees, seeking out their stories and memories. The film “Chosin," the G.I. Film Festival’s 2010 documentary winner was then viewed.

The Ladies Auxiliary provided refreshments for the afternoon; as always, the ladies were very generous with their contributions. The ladies of the auxiliary also decorated our post and provided table service for our guests at this event.