16 million Americans served in World War II and as of 2016 less than one million of them are still alive. Today the Oneida Nation gathered some of those brave men and women who served to give them recognition of their service. NBC26 was there for the ceremony and shares those veterans story.
The Oneida Nation is known for honoring their elders. But today they managed to track down 12 men and one woman to honor them for their service to our country that took place over 70 years ago.
"Some of them are in their 90's, the oldest one is 96 and they’re not gonna be here much longer," says Cletus Ninham the Oneida VFW Post Commander and one of the main organizers of the event.
It's estimated that 430 World War II veterans pass away every single day. But others are outliving the proudest accomplishments of their lives.
"I’m proud of having the right partner, the right wife. Because that means a lot," says Vernon Ninham a World War II US Army Veteran who says his proudest accomplishment over the years was his bond with his partner in life, his wife.
When these veterans returned from war, few of them got the recognition that you may have expected.
"It happened and I couldn't understand," says World War II Veteran Rose Kerstetter of the Women’s Army Corps. She’s the one woman being honored today.
"These small towns we live in, they didn't have the parades or the welcome home. A lot of them, when we did interviews say, they ended up going right to work," adds Commander Ninham.
But today hundreds of people gathered in Green Bay for these veterans. Some were accompanied by fellow Veterans and others family.
"Nephews, Nieces and friends," says Luke Stevens a US Army Veteran of World War II.
The main goal of the event was to give these Veterans that public thank you they more than earned.
"Oh it was worth everything that happened. It made me so happy to see that this was happening to us," adds Kerstetter.
"I didn't expect it," adds Vernon Ninham.
And while none of them needed the recognition and most admit it’s one of the things in life worth repeating.
"I'd do it again," says Warren Skenandore a World War II US Army Veteran.
It's comforting to know that our community didn't miss a chance to say thank you to every last one of them, for what they put on the line for all of our freedoms.
