Posted on Fri, May. 09, 2008
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WWII vets feted at reception
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D'IBERVILLE --
About 160 people attended a gathering of World War II veterans hosted by the D'Iberville Historical Society. The gathering was impressive in size partly because the number of World War II vets dwindles almost daily, but also in light of last weekend's bad weather.Among those who attended were 51 vets and the widows and/or families of 30 more, plus guests, Veterans of Foreign Wars members, military re-enactors, members of the Gulf Coast Military Collectors club and others.
Brig. Gen. Rich Moss praised the veterans for saving freedom and enabling the United States to become the leader of the free world. He defined the role of the 403rd Wing as Hurricane Hunters and transporters of support equipment and supplies to combat areas and bringing back the wounded.
Beau Rivage catered the lunch, and the Department of Marine Resources, the City of D'Iberville and the Community Bank sponsored the event.
Jerry O'Keefe, himself a World War II pilot and vet, presented a DVD of naval aerial combat in the Pacific during the war, as prepared for broadcast on the History Channel. The footage includes his own story of taking down seven enemy planes during the Okinawa campaign.
Dale Greenwell, president of the D'Iberville Historical Society, contributed the information for this report.
