thedrifter
11-17-08, 09:35 AM
November 17, 2008
Vets get a hot meal for a job well done
Ladies Auxiliary cooks up a winner
JESSICA DIKLICH
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
Peter J. Murphy appreciated the meal prepared for him and other veterans Sunday at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 129.
"I feel it's terrific and it's very honorable," Murphy, 90, said.
The hot turkey dinner with all the fixings was made with care by the Ladies Auxiliary to give a special thank-you to veterans from three veterans homes in New Jersey.
Murphy, who served on USS Enterprise in the Pacific from 1942-45, traveled from a Vineland-based home to enjoy dinner with his wife of 65 years, Ruth, and daughter Pat Ziegelbauer, who flew out from Wisconsin to spend time with her parents.
"This is the first dinner we've had for all three homes in the state for veterans. Usually we would go visit veterans at the homes, but since this is the anniversary of our building, we asked people to come to us," said Jane Keeley, vice president of Ladies Auxiliary Unit 129.
"They seem very gracious and happy to come because it is nice for them to get out," she said.
About 75 veterans from Paramus, Menlo Park and Vineland homes made their way to the Church Road post.
"We do this to show our appreciation for what they have done for us," Keeley said. "We want to show them we do think about them and we do care about them."
One veteran from the Menlo Park home, Edwin Shanahan of the 754th Tank Battalion, had so much to talk about, his dinner had to be reheated three times before eating.
Shanahan, 86, was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1945 for attacking Japanese forces in Bougainville in an effort to aid Marines. He also earned a Silver Star for another heroic act in combat and received the rank of first sergeant at just 18
years old.
After all Shanahan has done, he gives much of the credit to women of wartime.
"If it wasn't for the women, we wouldn't have won the war," he said. "We had better equipment, and that was because women were home building. They have not gotten the recognition they deserve."
Unit 129 President Peggy Robbins was pleased so many veterans came to the dinner.
"This is what we do. It's what we're here for," she said. "It is the least we can do for what they have done for our country."
Robbins said the auxiliary is very active in supporting veterans and current military. Over the next month, the unit will host a party for children of deployed soldiers and a children's Christmas party. The unit also holds a breakfast every month and participates in poppy season come May.
"Everything we do helps to raise money for things like this," Robbins said.
When veterans arrived at Post 129, they were greeted by a hallway of cheers, military salute and small American flag.
"They all have smiles on their faces when they come in," Robbins said.
American Legion Ocean County Commander Ted Figula was at the entrance to the post as veterans came in from the cold, windy conditions.
"Anyone that has put on a uniform to defend this country deserves it," he said. "They have done so much. Now it's my turn to return the favor."
Ellie
Vets get a hot meal for a job well done
Ladies Auxiliary cooks up a winner
JESSICA DIKLICH
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
Peter J. Murphy appreciated the meal prepared for him and other veterans Sunday at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 129.
"I feel it's terrific and it's very honorable," Murphy, 90, said.
The hot turkey dinner with all the fixings was made with care by the Ladies Auxiliary to give a special thank-you to veterans from three veterans homes in New Jersey.
Murphy, who served on USS Enterprise in the Pacific from 1942-45, traveled from a Vineland-based home to enjoy dinner with his wife of 65 years, Ruth, and daughter Pat Ziegelbauer, who flew out from Wisconsin to spend time with her parents.
"This is the first dinner we've had for all three homes in the state for veterans. Usually we would go visit veterans at the homes, but since this is the anniversary of our building, we asked people to come to us," said Jane Keeley, vice president of Ladies Auxiliary Unit 129.
"They seem very gracious and happy to come because it is nice for them to get out," she said.
About 75 veterans from Paramus, Menlo Park and Vineland homes made their way to the Church Road post.
"We do this to show our appreciation for what they have done for us," Keeley said. "We want to show them we do think about them and we do care about them."
One veteran from the Menlo Park home, Edwin Shanahan of the 754th Tank Battalion, had so much to talk about, his dinner had to be reheated three times before eating.
Shanahan, 86, was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1945 for attacking Japanese forces in Bougainville in an effort to aid Marines. He also earned a Silver Star for another heroic act in combat and received the rank of first sergeant at just 18
years old.
After all Shanahan has done, he gives much of the credit to women of wartime.
"If it wasn't for the women, we wouldn't have won the war," he said. "We had better equipment, and that was because women were home building. They have not gotten the recognition they deserve."
Unit 129 President Peggy Robbins was pleased so many veterans came to the dinner.
"This is what we do. It's what we're here for," she said. "It is the least we can do for what they have done for our country."
Robbins said the auxiliary is very active in supporting veterans and current military. Over the next month, the unit will host a party for children of deployed soldiers and a children's Christmas party. The unit also holds a breakfast every month and participates in poppy season come May.
"Everything we do helps to raise money for things like this," Robbins said.
When veterans arrived at Post 129, they were greeted by a hallway of cheers, military salute and small American flag.
"They all have smiles on their faces when they come in," Robbins said.
American Legion Ocean County Commander Ted Figula was at the entrance to the post as veterans came in from the cold, windy conditions.
"Anyone that has put on a uniform to defend this country deserves it," he said. "They have done so much. Now it's my turn to return the favor."
Ellie