More than 70 years have passed since Daniel Montgomery fought in World War II.
But the memories remain sharp.
“In the Battle of the Bulge, it was cold. Miserably cold,” said Montgomery, who served in the U.S. Army Air Forces from 1942 to 1945. “Our boots used to leak, I don’t know why.”
The Heritage Commons resident recalled something else he’ll never forget.
“I forgot to salute General (George) Patton once,” Montgomery said. “Only once. Never made that mistake again.”
The Heritage Commons senior living community honored its veteran residents, Montgomery included, at a special pinning ceremony Thursday afternoon.
Seventeen veterans and 21 surviving spouses of veterans currently reside at Heritage Commons, said Ginger Ragan, director of sales and marketing.
Many residents passed the “Wall of Valor” on the way to the ceremony, a hallway near the building’s entrance that includes framed photos of every veteran resident and staff member. The photos remain on permanent display.
Veteran recognition through the Wall of Valor and pinning ceremonies was initiated last year throughout all of Commonwealth Assisted Living’s communities in Virginia, according to Charles Ix, Commonwealth’s regional vice president of sales and marketing.
“(Residents) absolutely love it,” Ix said. “It’s very important to them.”
Commonwealth Assisted Living purchased Heritage Commons in January, and currently, there are 23 communities throughout the state.
Thursday’s was the first recognition ceremony for Heritage Commons residents.
“They’re such an integral part of our community, our state, our nation,” Ragan said. “The freedoms and liberties that we enjoy are a result of their dedication and sacrifice.”
“We want to recognize them,” she said.
During the ceremony, two representatives from Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4639, presented each veteran with a pin and certificate.
“They made a choice, a choice that they didn’t have to make,” VFW senior vice commander Michael Vahey said.
And a choice that Vahey said includes giving everything, up to your life, for your country.
“That’s something that’s so often forgotten,” he said.
Following the recognition ceremony, Montgomery said it’s nice when people remember.
But he wasn’t thinking of himself.
“It always makes me a little unhappy,” he said, “because I think of the others that should’ve been here, and didn’t make it.”
“A lot of the best ones got killed.”
Bridges can be reached by phone at 757-345-2342.
For more information
Contact Heritage Commons at 757-578-9999.
