Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1925 in Seymour was honored to have a World War II veteran attending the 77th V-J Day celebration.
Elmo Rivers, 94, was the only veteran of that war at Sunday’s celebration, and he was asked to stand and be recognized by Post Commander Rick Roberts.
“I was in the Eighth Air Force in England in 1944 and served for about nine years,” Rivers said.
All of the other veterans attending were recognized, too, and there was a moment of silence for those missing in action and the prisoners of war.
Roberts said Seymour has recognized V-J Day since 1946 to celebrate Japan surrendering to the Allies in World War II on Aug. 14, 1945. There used to be a parade in the city, but in recent years, it has switched to a program and a dinner at the VFW.
The Rev. Gary Dyer, who is a Vietnam veteran, gave the benediction for the ceremony, followed by Nicole Whewell singing the National Anthem.
Dyer, chaplain for the VFW post, thanked the veterans in attendance for their service and then reflected on his time in the Army.
“If these World War II guys hadn’t set things in motion, we might be talking in German or Japanese today,” Dyer said. “It wasn’t just one person, one unit or one detachment, but it took everybody in all branches to fight the fight and win.”
Retired U.S. Army Col. Kim Martindale, who the commander of the Indiana National Guard’s 38th Sustainment Brigade before her retirement, was the guest speaker. She served two tours of duty in the Middle East.
Her father was a World War II veteran, and she spoke about him and some of the history behind the end of that war. She also recognized the veterans.
Martindale said on Dec. 7, 1941, there was a surprise attack by the Japanese on a U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, and more than 2,400 Americans were killed.
She said the next day, the United States declared war on Japan and officially entered World War II.
“Aug. 15, 1945, is declared by Americans as V-J Day, or Victory over Japan, as that day brought years of hostilities to a final close at the end of World War II, one of the most destructive wars in history,” Martindale said. “When President Harry S. Truman announced on Aug. 14, 1945, that Japan had surrendered unconditionally, war-weary citizens around the world erupted in celebration.”
The post’s honor guard also participated in the program, which included a gun salute and the playing of “Taps” on the trumpet.
Dyer said the honor guard fires a salute at every veteran’s funeral, and they went to 84 funerals last year and have been a part of 44 so far this year.
After the gun salute, each member of the honor guard stopped and presented arms at a display of a soldier’s boots, helmet and rifle.
“That’s to honor the fallen soldiers, and when I was over in Vietnam, about every month, they would would come in,” Dyer said. “They’d have the boots and the helmet and rifle and do something in honor of the men who had died and paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
After the outdoor ceremony, attendees enjoyed a meal featuring pulled pork, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad and desserts. Rich Hampton provided the live music.
Paul Jewett of Seymour enlisted in the U.S. Air Force when he was just 17. He and his wife, Doris, were both at the celebration Sunday. The couple has been married 58 years.
“I served at Kunsan Air Base in Korea on the Yellow Sea for a year and 13 months, going in 1956 and finishing my tour in the states,” Paul said.
Kunsan K-8 Air Base is a U.S. Air Force base located at Gunsan Airport on the west coast of the South Korean peninsula bordered by the Yellow Sea. It is located in the town of Gunsan, about 180 kilometers south of Seoul.
Paul, retired from the Indiana State Police, said he is proud of his military service, glad he had the opportunity to do it and believes the experience was good for him.
“I served in the U.S. Air Force with four years of active duty and three and a half years of inactive duty,” he said. “I think this (celebration) is very nice, and they do it every year on V-J Day.”
Doris agreed the celebration is very nice, but she said she misses the parade and hopes they bring it back someday.