GIFT OF HONOR —Scotty Terrell hands a gift back containing hygiene items, food and other things that would have been rationed to those on the warfront to Roy Stender, one of the six WWII veterans at the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day program on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Custer Senior Center. The program,sponsored by the 1881 Courthouse Museum, Custer American Legion Post 46, Custer Senior Center and Custer VFW Post 3442, honored the county’s WWII veterans through stories, speeches, dinner and displays. While only six veterans attended, Custer County has 12 known living WWII veterans. [CCC Photo/CARRIE MOORE]

{Photo and caption used with permission of the Custer County Chronicle}

For the second year a special event was conducted in Custer City to both remember the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor and to honor Custer County's WWII veterans. The event was conducted on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 07 December 2016. This year it was sponsored by the 1881 Courthouse Museum, Custer American Legion Post #46, Custer Senior Center, and Custer VFW Post #3442.

As with the previous year, the event was conducted at the Custer Senior Citizens Center. The Center was transformed into a WWII USO Canteen with war memorabilia from the 1881 Courthouse Museum and big band music provided by the Senior Center.

Festivities commenced with a social complete with seasonal beverages and obligatory doughnuts. Then shifted to the remembrance program of short speeches from MC Ken Irwin, Custer County Veterans Service Officer, and the event sponsors. And concluded with a full Christmas dinner to honor Custer County's WWII veterans and make up for those Christmas dinners not have during WWII.

Following dinner each WWII veteran received a military canvas mechanic's tool back stuffed with goodies reminiscent of C-rations and personal hygiene packs. Veterans' personal guests received boxes of chocolate covered cherries. Meals and gifts were then delivered to homebound WWII veterans and their families.

Attended by 40 WWII veterans, their personal guests, sponsors, and supporting staff, this event was well appreciated by all.

Additional photos can be viewed at the event's gallery; http://centennial.legion.org/south-dakota/post46/gallery/2016-pearl-harb....

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