Veterans

Veterans

To Meet

A unique World War II Veterans organization will hold a reunion in the Washington area for the first time in over 30 years. This is the ChinaBurma-India Veterans Association representing approximately a quarter of a million veterans of World War II who served in that theater of war. John Guthrie of Castleton is the co-chairman for the event.

Theirs was a low priority theater, ,farthest away from the home base. They had to live mostly off reverse lend lease from the host governments because of limitation of shipping.

They were the “Flying Tigers” of the 14th Air Force; the “Merrills Marauders," the “Mars Tank Force” and the 10th Air Force who fought in the hills and jungles of Burma. They were the fliers who flew the “Hump,” the world’s most formidable physical barrier. They built ports, railroads and roads (The Ledo Road); they flew the 8-29*8 for the first time against the enemy; they trained and advised numerous Chinese divisions.

All of this in an effort to keep the most populous nation on earth on the side of the Allies in World War II, and to prevent a possible link-up between the Japanese and the German armed forces.

This group is meeting on April 2528 at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, Va. Veterans who served in that theater who are interested in attending are asked to contact Billy Lambert at (703) 941-2545 or Joe Shupe at (703) 978-9686. The group will also conduct a memorial service at 4 p.m. at the Arlington National Cemetery on April 26.

Senior discount

pictures scheduled

Senior discount identification pictures will be taken April 18 from 10 to 2 at the Ben Franklin Store in the Northern Virginia Shopping Center.

The senior discount program, operated by the Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services Center, is designed to stretch the buying power of persons over 60. Many local merchants and businesses participate by allowing discounts on goods and services.