Pine Island resident honored for World War II service
Two members of the Honor Guard for Hope Hospice arrived on Pine Island Thursday morning to honor World War II veteran Steve Richards for his service to our country in the United States Navy during World War II.
The Honor Guard offers special presentations to the service men and women in Hope’s care.
Each veteran is presented with a certificate of appreciation along with a U.S. flag lapel pin a stuffed “Buddy Bear” and a patriotic quilt. Each presentation concludes with a moving military salute.
With his wife and daughter at his side, Richards listened as Ralph Camp of the Honor Guard as he recited the oath Richards took upon entering the Navy nearly 70 years ago.
“I, Lee S. Richards, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
“When you took that oath, you agreed to go anywhere and do whatever you were asked,” Camp said. “You signed a blank check payable to your country with your service and your life. You endured many hardships and were willing to put your life on the line to preserve the freedom of everyone in our great nation …”
Richards was presented with a letter from Hope Hospice and a certificate of appreciation which reads: “Certificate of Appreciation for honored veteran Lee S. Richards United States Navy presented with gratitude for your loyal service to our country by your friends at Hope.”
The Honor Guard’s Kenneth Ludwig pinned the American flag lapel pin on Richards’ shirt and presented him with a hand-made quilt.
“Volunteers at Hope Hospice made this patriotic quilt just for you Mr. Richards,” Ludwig said. “When you use this quilt, remember that your caregivers at Hope Hospice honor you for your service to our country.”
When President Ronald Reagan visited Normandy on the 40th anniversary of D-Day he said, “We will always remember, we will always be proud, we will always be prepared so that we may always be free.”
“Steve, thank you for your service and we would like to say welcome home,” Ludwig said. “The greatest tribute one veteran can give to another is a hand salute. We salute you.”
Camp and Ludwig then saluted Richards.
“I want to thank you for coming today,” Richards said. “This means so much to me and my family.”