A roomful of heroes

Retired Marine Col. Jerry Martin thanks World War II veterans for their service during a Sept. 20 luncheon at American Legion Post 10 in Manassas.

By: Julia LeDoux | Inside NoVA
Published: October 05, 2009

History came alive as a roomful of heroes recently gathered at American Legion Post 10 in Manassas.
Dozens of World War II veterans attended a Sept. 20 luncheon sponsored by Post 10, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7589, the Freedom Museum and others in advance of the first ever Veterans Day parade to be held in Manassas on Nov. 7.
“It is indeed an honor for us to host you today in preparation for the Veterans Day parade on Nov. 7,” said Post 10 commander “Gunny” Lewis.
Post 10 member and retired Marine Col. Jerry Martin said it was an honor for him to get to know the veterans.
“To hear everybody tell their stories, the cumulative effect of what all these guys did is what won the war and saved the world for democracy,” he said. “They are the most humble group of guys you’ll ever meet. That’s why when you talk about the ‘Greatest Generation,’ in my mind they truly are. They made us who we are.”
Martin, a Vietnam veteran, said he thought about the sacrifices the Greatest Generation made when he came home from the war he fought in and faced unrelenting criticism.
“I had to think back about the dads and the uncles and the grandparents who preceded us,” he said. “It might be unpopular, but that was the expectation of my country.”
World War II veterans like Elizabeth Lewis will serve as parade grand marshals.
“It’s wonderful,” said Lewis of the luncheon.
The parade, which will step off at 11 a.m. on Center Street, will also feature historic vehicles, and bands.
“It should be a fun day for people to see an old fashioned parade and to say thank you to this generation of men and women,” said Martin.
To learn more about the parade, visit manassasveteransparade.org

A roomful of heroes

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