Local veteran organizations will host a luncheon ceremony in
Gilroy on May 29 in conjunction with the dedication of the nation’s
first World War II memorial in Washington, D.C.
Local veteran organizations will host a luncheon ceremony in Gilroy on May 29 in conjunction with the dedication of the nation’s first World War II memorial in Washington, D.C.
The event will be held 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building at 74 West Sixth St. It provides a closer option for those who want to honor World War II veterans, but are unable to attend the dedication ceremony in the nation’s capital.
Local American Legion Posts 669 and 217, the Veterans of Foreign Wars 6309 and the American GI Forum of Gilroy will participate. Gilroy’s Company B 184th infantry, which left Gilroy on March 3, 1942, will be honored.
Advance reservations are required and are $12, including lunch. World War II veterans will receive lunch, a shirt and a certificate of recognition. For veterans who have died, the certificate will be given to relatives in attendance. Discounted prices are available for members of veterans associations.
Slated to open in the last week of April, construction for the memorial began in September 2001 and was authorized by President Bill Clinton in 1993. It will honor 16 million Americans who served in World War II and the 400,000 who died.
For reservations and more information about the event, call Eleanor Frusetta at 842-5671. For more information about the memorial, visit www.wwiimemorial.com.
