By Vicki Prichard
NKyTribune reporter
Emily Cahill, outreach manager for St. Elizabeth Hospice, says all too often veterans in their hospice program would say that, during their lifetime, they were never thanked for their service.
“So we took it upon ourselves to say, you know what, we’re going to make sure that we thank every veteran we can in Northern Kentucky so that if they get to us, they know that they were thanked early in their life,” says Cahill.
On Monday afternoon, roughly 300 veterans and their spouses or caregivers filled the reception room at the St. Elizabeth Training and Education Center (SETEC) in Erlanger, for the St. Elizabeth Hospice Veterans Appreciation Luncheon. There was no shortage of gratitude in the room.
Marine veteran Woody Robinson of Villa Hills and his brother Jack, a WWII veteran who serve with the 94th Infantry Division.
“I loved it,” said Marine veteran Woody Robinson of Villa Hills, who attended the luncheon along with his 95-year-old brother, Jack, a WWII veteran who served under General George Patton. The Robinson brothers were two among a total of nine brothers in their family who served their country.
“We had 11 kids in our family,” said Woody Robinson. “It was tough growing up. Ten of us were born in a two room house in Rockcastle County, the other in Covington.”
Jack Robinson served in WWII from December 1941 until the end of the war. As part of the 94th Division, he was among the first groups to cross the Rhine.
“I went into this squad in December of ’42 and I stayed in that same squad all the way until the end of the war,” said Robinson. “I was a squad leader and I was the only original member in the squad.”
Jack was 23 years old by the end of his service in WWII.
In attendance to express appreciation of the veterans was Kentucky Supreme Court Justice, Michelle Keller, who told the roomful of veterans that long before she was an attorney and Supreme Court Justice, she began her career a nurse working at a VA hospital.
“That was one of the greatest privileges of my life, to serve the veterans of this country,” Keller told the audience.
She also noted that absent from the room were local veterans who had attended last year’s luncheon.
“As I look around this room and see all these handsome and beautiful faces, I know there were some who were probably with us last year who could not be here today because they’ve passed, or for health reasons,” said Keller. “I remember that Senator Roeding [former state senator Dick Roeding] was here and sat with my father last year. They both served in the Korean War.”
Vietnam veteran John Williams, who, for roughly six months commanded Bravo 1/9, known as the Walking Dead, in Khe Sanh, spoke eloquently of his service and his gratitude for fellow veterans.
“It has been said that the veteran has exhibited courage by voluntarily writing a blank check to the American people, payable with his or her own life,” said Williams. “You made a commitment when, at times, the country and its political leadership couldn’t define our country’s level of commitment. You faced daunting odds and the random nature of death, and wounds on the battlefield. You have shown ingenuity and tenacity. You have endured the hardship of conflict or troubles in austere unwelcoming environments, and changed the outcome of conflicts through sheer determination and skill. You have shared great experiences and made personal sacrifices. You have acted not for yourself but for comrades, their unit, your branch of service,a nd your country you have served.”
Williams enlisted in the Marine Corps in the fall of 1962 while a senior at Princeton University. His commitment was to spend twelve weeks that summer in the platoon leader class program to become a second lieutenant and then proceed to law school at the University of Cincinnati for three years. At that point he would go on to active duty for three years as a Marine Naval officer.
“In 1962, when I enlisted, I knew very little about Vietnam,” said Williams. “At the time, I enlisted because I felt I had an obligation to my country to serve as others before me had, and that was a way to fulfill my desire to serve.
In January of 1967, following law school and his admission to the Ohio Bar, Williams reported for active duty for the Marine Corps Basic School in Quantico, VA.
“Unlike 1962, when I enlisted, in 1967 I was hearing a lot about Vietnam, and I felt if other Marines were going to be there to fight, I had a responsibility to go,” said Williams.
Williams received the Bronze Star with Combat “V,” and two Purple Hearts. Throughout his service he carried two quotes, one was a quote from Theodore Roosevelt which read, “For those who fight for it, life has a special meaning the protected never know.”
After his service, Williams traveled the world for more than a year with a Marine friend, then went on to practice law for 13 years with the Taft law firm. He was president and CEO of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce for 16 years and is now retired and lives in Newport. He has served on the board of numerous for-profit and not-for-profit boards, traveled, mentored, and volunteered, most recently at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center.
Covington Catholic High School Chamber Choir performed at the luncheon.
Williams said as he walked through the passageway of the VA after care he received there that he felt “a kinship” that he hadn’t felt in years.
“I felt as though I was back with my troops and it felt good. Since then, I have volunteered at the Cincinnati VA and I’m proud of it and its mission,” said Williams. “While certainly not perfect, I see lots of good people, both veterans and nonveterans, who care and our doing their best to take care of our veterans. I believe that our veterans are treated with the care, understanding, and respect they deserve.”
Honor Flight Tri-State Director, Cheryl Popp, told the veterans that they are the essence of American Freedom.
“Honor Flight has expanded to include veterans age 65 and over who have served either stateside or overseas,” said Popp. “We don’t care if you carried a gun or were in war or not; you signed a blank check and we’re looking for you.”
Honor Flight has taken more than 190,000 veterans to see their memorials on a free trip to Washington, D.C.
Prior to the luncheon, veterans were invited to visit with veteran organizations who were on hand to provide resources and information regarding veteran benefits and services.
During the luncheon the Covington Catholic Chamber Choir performed for the veterans, singing the anthem of each branch of service. The Northern Kentucky Young Marines volunteered throughout the event, and delivered handwritten thank-you notes to the veterans which were authored by students at Bishop Brossart High School in Alexandria.
A crowd of 300 gather for Veterans Appreciation Luncheon.
