82 years earlier,  , Reynolds Tomter , jotted down his name on the dotted line, devoting his existence to support of , the United States.
At a symbol meeting on Wednesday,  , U. S.  , Rep , Derrick Van Orden , presented the 107- yr- ancient World War II veteran with an British flag that had been flown over the , U. S. Capitol , and was with , Van Orden , when he parachuted into Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D- Day.
” What a party and recognition”, said Tomter. ” I feel like I am certainly deserving of all this, but I am consuming it.”
Normandy is especially unique to , Reynolds Tomter, the former honored at Wednesday’s service, as the ancient site was the beginning of the plan that liberated , Europe , and finally led to the beat of , Germany  , during World War II.
” Today, we got to present , Mr. Tomter , with a flag that we flew over the , Capitol , before I went to Normandy and parachuted]with the flag ] in my cargo pocket”, said , Van Orden. It’s a little gesture that I can render to let you know how much I appreciate your sacrifice for our country.
Tomter is regarded as the nation’s oldest living World War II Merchant Marine and is located in Eastern Wisconsin.
” I’ve been a really wonderful guy”, said Tomter. ” I have been blessed with good health, but I have always kind of kept a good attitude and had a good attitude about lifestyle,” he said,” and that’s helped me a bit.”
Now, Tomter is one of more than 100, 000 living World War II veterans, but that amount is expected to rapidly rise over the next 15 years, according to the , Department of Veterans Affairs.
” Mr. Tomter , is part of our greatest creation, and unfortunately, a lot of them are leaving us. We need to get this time to show our gratitude straight to the men and women that gave us our privileges”, said , Van Orden. ” Now, we are saying,’ Thank you,’ and more individuals need to do that”.
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( c ) 2024 the La Crosse Tribune
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