SHAMOKIN - Approximately 30 veterans were treated to a homestyle meal Saturday afternoon for outstanding service to their country and local American Legion.
The dinner, consisting of ham, parsley potatoes, green beans, corn, dessert and refreshments, was sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 73 at the social hall of Calvary Bible Fellowship Church on South Second Street.
Veterans from various wars were presented certificates by local Legion officials, who noted these include 19 men who have belonged to the American Legion in Shamokin for at least 50 years.
Assisting in organizing and serving the meal were American Legion Auxiliary President Bonnie Alleman, sergeant-at-arms Chris Bixler, Karen Straub, Jamie Bordell, Cindy Mervine, Jeanette Woodley, Dorothy Krebs, Violet Feudale, Joan Yuricich and Lita Maguire.
The auxiliary sponsored a similar dinner for veterans in November 2010.
Bixler stated, "This is for all veterans, but we especially wanted to commemorate the ones who have been members of the Legion for 50 years or more."
Tom Olcese, 81, a retired pharmacist who resides in Coal Township, was among the guests.
He said, "It's great to see people still active in the Legion. The food is great and there's been a nice turnout."
Olcese, a 60-year member of the American Legion, served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. His father, Sol Olcese, was a commander in the American Legion and was the oldest surviving veteran of World War I in the area at the time of his death in 1997 at the age of 102.
Ralph Starr, 94, of Coal Township, who has the distinction of serving as a chauffeur for President Richard Nixon, also enjoyed the meal and tribute to veterans.
Starr, who served as a quartermaster in the U.S. Army for 31 years and also spent four years in the U.S. Air Force in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, was named Legionnaire of the Year at the dinner. He has been a member of the Legion since 1970.
William Jeremiah, 87, of Shamokin, a medic in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific, stated, "It's very kind of the auxiliary to invite us to this dinner," he said. "I really appreciate their generosity."
Jeremiah has been a Legion member for 37 years.