June 29, 2021 - Of the 16 million men and women who served in World War II there were 325,574 alive in 2020 (US Department of Veterans Affairs). The average age of the WW II Veteran is approximately 93 with the last of America’s “Greatest Generation” to be gone in the next 25 years.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and Auxiliary feel it is important to honor those still living while we can. We have taken on the project to identify those from Shelby County still living and honor them on V J (Victory over Japan) Day, September 2, 2021, seventy-six years following the surrender of Japan. Details of the program will be announced later.
The criteria to be a World War II honoree is:
(1) Be alive as of June 29, 2021.
(2) Be born in Shelby County (can now be living elsewhere).
(3) If not a native of Shelby County be living in Shelby County now.
(4) Having served in the military during the period December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946.
(5) Received an honorable discharge.
Note: December 31, 1946 is the date that then President Harry Truman declared hostilities were over and is recognized in the United States as the end of WW II. Any veteran identified as an honoree that passes before VJ Day will remain as such.
We are asking family members to help us in the identification process. Some proof of service will be required such as a discharge. If you have a living World War II Veteran in your family that meets the criteria above please contact Post Quartermaster Larry Hume, 936-332-0349; email: chiefhume95@gmail.com.
