Veterans have some solemn moments
at Saturday's appreciation dinner
By Bob Weaver
Calhoun citizens marched off in great numbers to serve in America's wars, among the greatest number per capita in the USA.
Many of the regional vets from World War II to Iraq received special recognition Saturday as the Grantsville VFW Post 5959 and Ladies Auxiliary had their Tenth Annual Vets Appreciation Dinner at the Arnoldsburg Community Building.
Special speakers included Delegate David Walker, State Representative-Ladies Axillary Donna Bodkins and Jim Horner, Past Commander of District 5.
Delegate David Walker (left) and
regional speakers attend the event
High Mountain Bluegrass provided the entertainment.
In the local publication "Calhoun County in World War II," writer Joy Stevens said, "It is instinctive of mankind to honor all who fought, and especially those who were wounded or died in battle."
During World War II, as county residents hovered around their radios to hear news from the front, they hung flags in their yards, and in the window of nearly every home they displayed a white banner edged in red with stars. Those stars represented family members serving in the military.
Blue stars represented live members. Gold stars represented members killed in action.
 Spencer resident Denver Gandee (left) a WWII soldier who was at the Bridge at Remagen - the story is told in a best-selling novel by Ken Hechler and made into a major motion picture, reveals a major assault into the center of Germany, the Remagen incident, about the battle for the last bridgehead
The public's attraction to such efforts, patriotism once high, wans from year to year, taking such efforts for granted.
Grantsville's VFW Post continues their efforts to recognize the men and woman who have gone to war, or who have strongly stood in protecting the nation.
The organization recognized the efforts of Paul and Freda Whytsell to keep the local DAV veteran's van program going, transporting local vets to Clarksburg and Morgantown.
Driver Bob Yoak logged 560 hours, driver Burl Simers logged 260 hours and driver Adrian Ball logged 40 hours.
Historic photo of Yanks at the Ramagen Bridge
Grantsville's VFW Post assists Spencer post by erecting
a flag at a Bower's Hill cemetery, just east of Spencer
VFW OFFICERS - Commander - Albert Tanner;
Sr. Vice-Commander - Jimmy Dale Yeager;
Jr. Vice-Commander - Victor Whytsell;
Quarter Master - Stan Norman;
Service Officer - Paul Whytsell;
Chaplin - Bob Yoak;
Trustees - Adrian Ball, Roger Yoak and Charles Snyder
LADIES AUXILIARY OFFICERS - President - Frances Tanner;
Sr. Vice-President - Francie Adwell;
Jr. Vice President - Linda Staton;
Secretary - Freda Whytsell;
Treasurer - Tina Whytsell;
Guard - Marie Hays;
Conductress - Ernestine Ball;
Chaplin - Patty Wyatt;
Trustees - Freda Whytsell, Lee Miller, Kim Marcou
| 
