More than 140 Fermilab veterans and friends celebrated Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 9, in the Big Room at Building 327. Special guests included keynote speaker Allen Lynch, a recipient of the Vietnam Medal of Honor; Rita Pennington, Illinois coordinator of the Quilts of Valor Foundation; and Elaine A. McCusker, United States deputy undersecretary of defense (comptroller).
In one touching part of the celebration, Jeff Meisner recounted his family’s service to the country. His father, Walter Allen Meisner, 91, is a World War II veteran. Walter Meisner’s father, Claude Henry Meisner, was stationed on the Arizona as a member of the U.S. Navy. He was boxing stateside when Pearl Harbor was attacked and his ship sunk. Walter Meisner’s older brother, Ted, fought during World War II as part of the U.S. Army. He received a Bronze Cross for saving two squads of about 16 men from machine gun bunkers on a beach landing. Jeff himself serve in the U.S. Marine Corps for nine years. In one of the pictures below, Walter Meisner receives a quilt from made by the Illinois Quilts of Valor Foundation.
View photos of the celebration below.
Jeff Meisner holds the mic for his father Walter Meisner as he says a few words and receives his quilt, made by the Illinois Quilts of Valor Foundation, coordinated by Rita Pennington. Photo: Leticia Shaddix
