WWII Last Man's Club members gather for 11th year

Bill McDougall (left) and Gerald Manning (right) visit during the social hour time at the World War II Last Man's Club Saturday evening, along with family members. [Click to enlarge]

More than 70 veterans, spouses, family members and friends attended banquet, which is held annually in November close to the Nov. 11 Veterans Day observance.

Words of welcome and thanks were given by club president Lowell Klemme before the start of the meal.

Two members shared their experiences with the WWII Honor Flight, which has been organized to enable World War II veterans to travel to Washington, D.C. and see the World War II Memorial.

Club member Rudy Adler was part of the Siouxland Honor Flight which flew from Sioux City on Sept. 9. He said through fundraising efforts, there was no charge for the veterans to travel to Washington, D.C.

"Everything was taken care of, our food, tickets and all other incidentals," Adler said.

He expressed his appreciation to the Sioux City organizer, Cathy Mueller, for her hard work and dedication.

He noted fundraising is underway in hopes of financing another Siouxland Honor Flight.

Club member Clayton Nemmers went on an Honor Flight out of Council Bluffs. He was able to connect with his daughter, who lives in the Washington, D.C., area. She accompanied him on the tour.

"People lined up at the airport in Omaha and in Washington, D.C., clapping and thanking us," Nemmers said.

He said several other Honor Flight groups were also at the memorials that day.

While at the WWII Memorial, Nemmers said he heard his name being called out.

"I turned around and saw a friend from Chicago," he said.

He thought it was special that the two should meet at the memorial.

Two other members, Ken Lubben and Virgil Brockel, also went on the Siouxland Honor Flight trip.

The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home.

During the brief WWII Last Man's Club meeting, secretary/treasurer John Brangwin read the list of deceased members, including names of the six members who have died since the 2007 banquet.

They are: Don Stevens Nov. 25, 2007; Ervin C. Criswell, Dec. 10, 2007; R.L. Green; Clifford Perry Aug. 5, 2008; and Leo Flaherty, Oct. 21, 2008.

According to club records, 68 club members have died since the club started in 1997.

There are 64 living members of the club. Brangwin and president Lowell Klemme were re-elected to their positions of leadership in the club.

American Legion Wasmer Post #241 commander Larry Baer also attended the banquet.

"It's an honor to be with such a distinguished group," Baer told the WWII veterans.

He expressed his appreciation for the reception the veterans received upon their return home and on their Honor Flights. As a Vietnam veteran, Baer said he received a very different reception.

Providing entertainment for the evening was Tom Mullally of Le Mars, who entertained with musical numbers. The evening also included a group sing with the songs of the military branches, "The Caissons Go Rolling Along," "Anchors A Weigh," "Marine's Hymn" and "The U.S. Air Force."

The evening ended with all gathered singing "God Bless America."

Members of the World War II Last Man's Club must belong to the American Legion and had to serve in the armed forces of the United States between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946. The club is open to both men and women who served in the armed forces, including the Red Cross.

The group organized in November 1997, and at that time entrusted four-fifths of a quart of 86 proof Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey to the post commander. The bottle is a commemorative issue from the state's Centennial. Under by-laws, the ritual bottle will be opened when the ranks of the Last Man's Club have dropped to three living members. The bottle becomes the property of the last surviving member.