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The ���Ϲ��� is not just about four walls of a building filled with artifacts and history. It’s about the lives of veterans. It’s about celebrating their past service and their lives given for our country. But it is also about remembering who they are today and celebrating them.

After weeks of holiday festivities, we gaze forward to the coming year. We often wonder what the next year will bring.��Will the coming days be just like any other?

I asked Myrl Jean Hughes (pictured second from left below) that question at the birthday party Janis Allen and Mike McCarthy planned for seven of our WWII veterans on January 2, 2024. I asked, “How did it feel to wake up on your 101st birthday yesterday?” Myrl Jean replied, “Just like the day before.”

From left, WWII veterans Joe Cooper, Myrl Jean Hughes, Pooch Pace and Ed Cottrell.

It is a wonderful feeling to be in their presence, watching them converse with each other and always take the opportunity to share a story with someone.

Joe Cooper: “I served in WWII for duty, honor, and country. That’s right. You go serve your country in a time of need.”

Milt Fletcher: “I was one of the last members who served in WWII. I was happy to serve. I joined selfishly to get a college education. I served in Japan to defend the country and I served during the Korean War to preserve the peace. I’m proud of my country. It helped me buy a home, get my degrees, and I get great help from the VA. I’m very happy to have served and God bless America.”

Harold Wellington: “I was proud to be there and serve.”

Ed Cottrell: “I guess I was like every other guy who was called to serve his country. You chose what branch you wanted and you went.”

Myrl Jean Hughes: “I would not want to repeat it but I would not trade those three years for anything.”

Pooch Pace: “I was real honored to be taking part. I was a pilot in civilian life and I worked in a control tower in Japan in the occupation force.”

Over lunch, Milt Fletcher and Joe Cooper discovered they had both served in the 184th Regiment, 7th Infantry Division at different times—Fletcher in Okinawa and, later, Cooper in Korea. Fletcher said, “Joe served a lot longer than I did. He went in early and came out late. I went in late and came out early.”