Photos by Frank Kenney
American Legion hosts presentation to WWII veterans 061218
American Legion hosts presentation to WWII veterans 061218
Dan McBride before the presentation
American Legion hosts presentation to WWII veterans 061218
McBride receives a certificate and flag from Congressman Steve Pearce's representative Joe Martinez
American Legion hosts presentation to WWII veterans 061218
Bill Harrison receives certificate and flag from Martinez
American Legion hosts presentation to WWII veterans 061218
Harrison
American Legion hosts presentation to WWII veterans 061218
Gene Lewis
American Legion hosts presentation to WWII veterans 061218
World War Ii veterans Mayetta Quintana Clawson, Dan McBride, Gene Lewis, Bill Harrison, and Joe Martinez representing Congressman Steve Pearce.
Article by Mary Alice Murphy
On Tuesday, June 12, 2018, American Legion Allingham-Golding Post 18 hosted Joe Martinez, representing Congressman Steve Pearce, as he presented certificates of Congressional Recognition of Achievement and American flags that had flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., at the request of Pearce.
Five World War II veterans had been invited. One, Felipe Gasca y Ortego had not replied to phone calls; Leonard Pritikin was unable to attend but would receive his honor at home after the Legion presentation. World War II veterans Dan McBride, Bill Harrison and Gene Lewis attended, as did Mayetta Cecilia Quintana Clawson, but her information was received too late for a certificate and flag.
However, Cecilia Bell, Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society, told Clawson, she would arrange for the certificate and flag to be presented to Clawson during a preservation society event in August.
Martinez said the effort began when about six months ago, he was attending the board meeting that he serves on for Native American veterans. "One of the veterans from Laguna Pueblo shouted out to me: 'It's unconscionable to have to die to get a flag. It's a symbol of what we fought for.' So for the past six months, every time we have an event, we try to present a certificate and flag that was flown over the Capitol." He apologized to Clawson for not getting her information in time but said it would be rectified at the Fort Bayard event.
He read each of the certificates, which cited the veterans' meritorious service, and presented the flags, at the request of Congressman Pearce. "We thank you and salute you."
Harrison, in turn, commended Pearce for his service during the Vietnam Conflict.