By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

The Mesquite chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) went to Mesa View Estates on Wednesday, March 29 with coffee, donuts and handmade Easter cards to honor the veterans of the armed forces living there.

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, by President Trump is recognized and remembered on March 29. This is why DAR chose this day to meet with the veterans.
DAR Chaplain Ruth Dickie and local Regent Viki Clift; along with DAR members Janet Poling and Sandy Ball came to chat with veterans and hand out the Easter Cards.

Six Veterans attended the celebration and were happy to share their stories with the women.
James Riley, age 87, was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Germany guarding Nuclear Caps. He believes the radiation is why he needs a scooter to get around today.

Malcolm Horne, age 79, was drafted into the Royal Air Force during the Korean War. His job was loading bombs onto aircraft.

Frank Lea, age 92, joined the reserve Marines while in high school. He stayed in the Marines until 1969 and served in both Korea and Vietnam. “I thought I would quit while I was ahead,” Lea said.
Ray Benson, age 86, served in the US Navy in the Marshall Islands. He said that he learned a lot in the Navy. He was in charge of damage control on the ship.

Lucky Larry Lindn enlisted in the army in 1953. His duties while serving doing Internal Guidance was all done stateside. That is why he was called Lucky Larry.

Linus Boehmer, age 88, served in the US Army from 1954-1956 in anti-aircraft division. He remembered going to Juarez Mexico while off duty.

As the veterans told some of their stories, Ruth Dickie was making a chart, stringing yarn from each veteran showing where they were from and where they served. She left the chart for the veterans to show others.

The guys were having fun and making jokes with one another.
“We plan to come back and have more chats with these veterans and others that did not make it to this gathering and remembrance,” Dickie said.

Honoring veterans is part of the duties of the DAR. Anyone interested in more information on the local chapter may call Vicki Clift at 801-699-0687