World War II ended 79 years ago. There are very few left of the millions of Americans who served during the war to protect the United States of America and the world from tyranny. On April 20, 2024, members of the Jon E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 of Leland escorted and assisted four World War II veterans from the Wilmington airport to the Washington D.C. National World War II Monument for an annual ceremony to honor the WWII veterans. At the end of a wonderful but long day at the monument and visiting other sites in the D.C. area, they all headed home to Wilmington, N.C. They arrived back home on Saturday around 9:00 p.m. to a warm welcome from a large crowd of local citizens and veterans honoring their service and respecting their sacrifice.
Post 68 Chaplain Jim (Mac) McAvoy and Bob (Marine Bob) Page (in the photo) etch John E Jacobs's name off the wall onto a piece of paper. Jim stated, “It was certainly an honor to do this. Bob Page and I only had to give the guide a hug as payment!” The etching will be displayed at the general meetings for all to see. The honor flight occurred on April 20, 2024.