By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Edwardsburg Argus
EDWARDSBURG – This is not the forgotten generation.
A group of veterans were treated last Thursday to a wonderful lunch and a chance to share stories and reminisce about World War II.
Of the 16 veterans who attended the lunch organized by Ann Cleveland Mann, all but two had served overseas during the war.
Mann of Elkhart, Ind., whose relatives once owned and lived in the Union House on U.S.-12 east of Edwardsburg, had become friends with owners Barb Wright and Judy Scott, renting rooms for guests.
"Except for the extra baths and larger kitchen, it is pretty much the same," Mann said.
Together they planned a luncheon in honor of Veterans Day, with Donna Kruse of Bouquets Unlimited of Union joining in providing a centerpiece and flowers for all attending.
"It is a small thing to give for what they gave," said Wright, who is also retired Air Force.
The name of Mann's father, Kenneth Cleveland, is on an Honor Roll plaque of World War II veterans in a tavern in Union. From these names, Mann sent out invitations to those still living. All but two she invited came, her cousin Dick Carter, coming from as far as Detroit and Evelyn Cleveland Phoebus from Elkhart, Ind..
Though Mann grew up in Elkhart, where her father's dental practice was established, she said her "heart is here" in Union.
The veterans filled the dining room at three tables where they listened to one man, who could still fit into his uniform, talk about the Battle of the Bulge.
Glen Marks of Ada, now a minister, was with the medics. He remembers five miles made all the difference. The Germans were ahead.
"If we had gone straight ahead, it would have been the end of us," he recalled.
He talked about "patching" up the young kids. "War is not a good thing," he added. "Our guys had spirit, the will to get the job done – amazing dedication."
Dick Carter of Woodhaven also remembered the Battle of the Bulge, when his brother was captured and "marched across Germany, turned around, then marched from where he came. If not for the Red Cross, he wouldn't have made it," he added.
Inez Fisher Sutton of Union told a now funny tale of a frightening airplane flight in bad weather, when she didn't think she would have made it to the ground safely – only to find out the pilot was also surprised to have a safe landing.
Also attending from Union were Marion Walkins, Doris Lintz, Edward Schmeling, Levi Wise and Marion Wolkins. From Elkhart were June Berkshire, Dick Forry, Jack Lyon and JR Schmeling.
Others in attendance were Robert Freimund and Bill O'Dell of Edwardsburg and Gail Lyon of Cassopolis.