Observances mark Veterans' Day week in Milford

MILFORD — Veteran’s Day was a day to honor those who served and fought in wars long over but not forgotten. Some 60 veterans dressed in their military and veterans’ organizations uniforms at the 11 a.m. Veterans’ Day celebration at Milford’s Memorial Park on Broad Street. There were men and women from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and even the Iraq War. A crowd of about 40 to 50 onlookers took part in the ceremony. Sonia Gatzke, an Army nurse during WWII and now 85 years old, who spent two years on Navy ships taking care of the wounded said about the Iraq War, “Get rid of those bums or they’ll be over here one day. There were eight different beatings on the U.S. before anyone did something.” Howard Golan a WWII Navy vet said about today’s war, “I don’t even want to think about it. I’d like to see everyone come home but they gotta stay till the job is done.” A lone bagpiper played as he walked towards the podium and an Army Chaplain from Veteran’s Post 8612 opened the ceremony with a prayer. The ceremony lasted about 30 to 40 minutes. As it ended, all the veterans said good-bye to each other, shared a few more stories of the war with their friends and headed home till the next ceremony brings them together again. At Delaware Valley High School Last Thursday, Nov. 6, the Junior Historians, a club dedicated to community service and social work, hosted a commemorative “Veterans Dinner,” including a three-course meal, live entertainment, and historical slide show. Over 150 local veterans and their guests attended the dinner, which was advertised in fliers and through word of mouth. “I think we should pay homage to people who served,” said club adviser Tom Burns, who teaches advanced placement European history and peace studies classes. Veterans from World War II to the War on Terror laughed, ate, and sang together on an evening planned in their honor.