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A salute to veterans
Ladies Auxiliary honors Lakeview Manor residents who served in harms way
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Lester Bragg, a former commander of American Legion Post 209, receives his certificate and American flag. He is joined by his daughter and son-in-law, Wanda and Buzzy Morgan. - photo by Photo by Paul Floeckher

American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 209 saluted local military veterans who live at Lakeview Manor retirement community in Springfield.


The Effingham County unit honored veterans Lester Bragg, Paul Repasy and Harry Zittrouer in a recent ceremony.


Each received a certificate of honor, along with a small American flag to display on their bedside tables at Lakeview Manor.


“We wanted to do something for them,” said Thelma Pierce of Ladies Auxiliary Unit 209. “We thought this would be a way to honor them for their service to our country.”


A fourth veteran was honored posthumously. Larry Shea also lived at Lakeview Manor and died just days before the ceremony.


The certificate recognized each veteran “for serving in the United States Armed Forces in the name of freedom and democracy, and allegiance to God and country in courageously protecting our liberty and independence.”