MARINA, Calif. --Commander Jon Baker rolled out the red carpet for the 2016 Heroes of America Ball at American Legion Post 694, May 21, 2016. The ball was the first event of its kind at the post and featured special honors throughout the evening.
Drawing about 80 attendees, several WWII veterans were recognized including Bronze Star recipient First Sgt. Cambrel Marshall, Army; Purple Heart recipient Sgt. 1st Class Jack Salo, Army; Machinist 1st. Class John Flynn, Navy; First Sgt. James Soares, Army; and Staff Sgt. John Jones, Army.
The veterans represented just a small but crucial fraction of 16 million men and women who joined the war effort to liberate Europe from Nazi Germany and its allies. More than 407,000 Americans were killed and 671,000 wounded.
"This was an amazing opportunity for us to hold an event that is steeped in so much military tradition, while honoring several of our members. There was so much warmth, pride and honor in that ballroom; to say 'thank you, we appreciate you and your sacrifice,'" said Baker.
James Scariat, Commander, American Legion, District 28, agreed and spoke eloquently while praising the WWII Veteran honorees, their families and the post's first event of this magnitude.
Tony Wagner, WWII escort, read aloud brief biographies as Baker and Operations Officer Czec Panek honored the veterans, some in their 90s, by presenting personally engraved pocket watches. The veterans’ military history was also part of a large display viewed by attendees. They got a big lift from all the attention, and posed for photos alongside their basic training or military service photos. The night progressed with dancing to period music from the WWII era.
American Legion Post 694 is celebrating its 52nd anniversary, with more than 500 members and veterans representing all military branches. Post 694 is a diverse organization that works tirelessly for the care of veterans, active duty military and their families, improvement of the local community and the development of youth. The post is made up of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit, Sons of the American Legion Squadron, and the American Legion Riders. For more information, contact Belle Jones at 831-235-5823, Bellejones2@gmailcom or Czec Panek at (831) 384-6616), or czec13@yahoo.com.