Apple Blossom celebrates troops
Posted on Sunday, May 18, 2008
ROGERS — The greatest generation was honored Saturday as veterans gathered to sing patriotic hymns and celebrate veterans to celebrate Armed Forces Day at Apple Blossom in Rogers.
Apple Blossom is a retirement community located at 2501 N. 22 nd St.
Max Gore, a Captain with the U. S. Navy, spoke to the crowd on the importance of supporting the troops and staying the course in Iraq. “ Whatever reason we went to war, either we defeat or be defeated, ” he said.
But more importantly, he said, is the respect given to veterans. “ When you see (a veteran ), make the effort, take the time. Stop them, shake their hand and tell them thanks for their service. ”
One veteran who was appreciative of the event was Pearce Kensler, a World War II veteran of the U. S. Army and the U. S. Navy who was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Honolulu on Dec. 7, 1941, the day the Japanese raided Pearl Harbor.
“ I was upstairs at the three-story barracks the morning they attacked, ” he said after the ceremony. Kensler was honored by fellow veterans at the event.
The event was preceded by a barbecue lunch and boogie-woogie music from the Big Blue Brass of Rogers High School.
Created in 1949, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. Prior to the creation of the holiday, each branch of the military had its own day of celebration. On Aug. 31, 1949, then-Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of the holiday, and all branches of the military were asked to celebrate on this day. The purpose of Armed Forces day is to honor Americans serving in the five services — the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
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