Wednesday, June 02, 2010
 
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Mount Pulaski maintains traditions on Memorial Day

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[June 02, 2010]  MOUNT PULASKI -- Mount Pulaski American Legion Post 447 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 777 together with Sons of American Legion Squadron 447 made their annual visit to the veterans living at Vonderlieth Living Center.

This year, there were 13 men and women veterans, many of whom fought on the shores of North Africa, on into Sicily and Italy, on the shores of Normandy through France into Germany and Czechoslovakia, and men who fought in the Pacific Island campaign.

One, Navy Lt. Emmett Shellhammer, was stationed on the USS Missouri when Gen. Douglas MacArthur accepted the unconditional surrender from Emperor Hirohito of Japan in the Bay of Tokyo (Yokosuka).

One could not hold in their hands all the medals and citations that these men and women earned in their war campaigns during World War II and Korea. There were many supporters, onlookers and well-wishers at this short service -- family, friends and fellow Vonderlieth Living Center patients -- and not too many dry eyes could be noticed.

Following the Memorial Day services (see pictorial) the Legion held their annual luncheon. This year's luncheon was a celebration of Mount Pulaski's 90th year as an American Legion post -- established in 1920, just one year after the American Legion organization was established in Paris, France, by Teddy Roosevelt's son, Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

Roosevelt Jr. served in both World War I and World War II, earning the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery and valor during World War II.

[By PHIL BERTONI]

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