WW2-Era Vets Tell Stories, Wipe Tears, Sway To Andrews Sisters Tunes

Thirty four veterans, some of whom saw dramatic action in World War II and Korea, gathered at last week to be honored at a .

They've been gathering for the annual event for several years to reminisce and enjoy entertainnent. All of them have participated in the library's Veterans History Project, which includes oral histories and memorabilia. Their stories can be read online or in the library.

Earlier:

This year, veterans Richard Hyland of Niles and Martin O'Malley of Chicago, both leaders in Amvets Police Post 18 based in Wheeling, visited.

"We're inviting (the veterans here) to sign up for an honor flight," said Hyland, explaining the Honor Flights program takes World War II veterans on an all-expenses-paid one-day flight to Washington, D.C. to see the World War II memorial and celebrate their service.

Post 18 has been a substantive financial sponsor of honor flights, and has received the Amvets Silver Helmet award, which Hyland called "the Academy award of the services," for its volunteer work with veterans.

"They've received it for the significant contributions they've made to the honor flights," said Neal O'Shea of the library staff, who coordinates the Veterans History Project and had personally interviewed and recorded many of the veterans in the room.

O'Shea coordinates the annual breakfasts, which always include gathering the veterans onstage to briefly to an audience of spouses and library staff. The retellings bring laughter, tears and camaraderie.

After food was served, a female trio called the Legacy Girls, who perform Andrews Sisters covers, sang, danced and chatted up the audience. In the video, they convinced veteran Richard Vana and his daughter-in-law Mary Vana to dance with them onstage.

Learn more. Like Niles Patch on Facebook