Sep/Oct 2008 - Korean War Veterans Association

187 WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS 2000 [MA]
We hosted a picnic for hospitalized veterans at the Holyoke
Soldiers Home in Holyoke, MA on 13 August 2008.
This picnic is an annual event, which our volunteers participate
in happily.
James K. Stathis, 42 Pine Grove Drive
South Hadley, MA 01075
their program. We spent another twenty minutes listening to their
stories about their sons being wounded or killed in action in the
Korean War.
Members of the Westcourt Kitchen Band stand in front of CID 251 members
(L-R) Tony Blasy, Harvey Johnson, Bob Simon, Stan French
“Picnicers” at CID 187’s gathering in Holyoke
LEFT: Bob Harper (L), member
of Westcourt Kitchen
Band, and Stan French (R)
Parceling out the
potato salad at CID
187’s picnic
Food goes fast at
Holyoke Soldiers
Home picnic hosted
by CID 187
251 SAGINAW/FRANKENMUTH [MI]
The Westcourt Retirement Living Kitchen Band entertained
Chapter members and guests at our June 2008 meeting. Eighteen
seasoned retirees from Westcourt, ranging in age from 68 to 92,
played 8 old-time favorite songs. Band members played the
scrub board, tambourines, symbols, and kazoos. A 91-year-old
lady playing all the songs from memory accompanied them on
the piano.
We gave the band members a standing ovation at the end of
ABOVE: Ralph Parlberg (L) and
Sue Smith (R), Director of the
Westcourt Kitchen Band
LEFT: Dick Haney of CID 251
and members of Westcourt
Kitchen Band
ABOVE LEFT: Eugene Feinauer
of CD 251 and member of
Westcourt Kitchen Band
Our Chapter donated a generous check for the upkeep of their
Westcourt bus. We Korean War veterans really are not forgotten,
but we recommend that KWVA Chapters get involved with our
elderly folks in retirement facilities for ice cream socials, bingo,
hot dog roasts, etc.
Our hearts were definitely touched that evening as we
watched the Westcourt folks express themselves with music.
Chapter 251 members comprise veterans who have goals based
43
The Graybeards
September – October 2008