Veterans honored at the Glenridge

More than 80 people attended the fourth annual Veterans Day luncheon Thursday afternoon at The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch. Many who were in attendance were veterans who served in many different capacities.

George Measer was the master of ceremonies for the luncheon, and the Glen Men Singers performed a variety of songs with a piece called, “Songs of War Time."

Two special-guest veterans spoke at the event. One of the guest speakers was former CEO of the Glenridge, Howard G. Crowell Jr., a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army. Crowell talked about Veterans Day and his time as a lieutenant. He became a lieutenant due to a death, and the man who succeeded his position died in combat as well.

“When you are a book and the bookends fall away, it gives you great pause, to make sure your book is well written and well read," Crowell said.

The second guest speaker was James R. “Bob” Normile, who was a captain with the United States Army Air Corps. Of his many accomplishments in the service, one of the most prestigious is the fact that he flew General Douglas MacArthur from the Philippines to Okinawa in 1945 when he was on his way to Japan to sign the surrender documents. The 92-year-old man said of his time serving in the Army, “I served for four years and two months, and it was one of the best parts of my life."

Contact Rachel O'Hara at [email protected].