ASHVILLE — Loyalty is a universal thread for United States veterans as serving together often creates a tight-knit bond unlike anything else. For members of the John Lipple Post 4315 in Ashville, loyalty to veterans of all wars has been its driving force.
It’s that loyalty and unending commitment to those who served that has garnered the Ashville Veterans of Foreign Wars post the Diamond Jubilee Award, which was presented Sunday.
“There is so much loyalty between veterans, regardless of what branch they served in,” District 26 Commander Dave Seymore said. “We’ve been moving forward for years upon years, and even though many of our veterans haven’t been able to be around because of COVID, they remain as loyal as ever.”
The Ashville VFW is currently in its 76th year of operation. Sunday’s ceremony to present the Diamond Jubilee Award was postponed last year due to COVID-19.
Although the post has remained active in its mission to serve veterans and the community, many local veterans have been unable to socialize with each other because of the global health crises.
Sunday was an opportunity for those veterans to rebuild bonds and reminisce about their shared connections.
“This is a very special day for us,” said Cathy Bateman, who is the commander of Post 4315. “This is an opportunity for many of our local veterans to get together after not seeing one another for a couple years. Many of our veterans haven’t been able to be as social due to health or the pandemic, and this is an opportunity for them to come out and make a connection with others.”
Members of the post remembered the life of Lipple, who was a petty officer first class aboard the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
Lipple, who was a native of Ashville, was among the 1,179 sailors who died when the Arizona was bombed by Japanese planes.
The Ashville VFW is named after Lipple, who commanders said was the first person from the area to die in World War II.
“We hope his story will always live on and that people can remember the sacrifice that he made for our country,” Seymore said.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars organization began in 1889 as a way to better the lives of those who served in the United State military.
Members said the Ashville VFW was chartered to serve veterans and their families, but over the past 76 years, the VFW has grown far beyond that.
In addition to hosting blood drives and contributing toward local nonprofits, commanders said the organization has also placed an emphasis on educational programs with local school districts.
“Education is a high priority for us,” Seymore said. “For any educational field that asks for help, we always do our best to help them.”
The number one mission for the organization, however, remains to provide for those who put everything on the line in the fight for freedom.
“The mission of our post is to provide resources and support for our veterans, their families and our community,” Bateman said. “They’ve offered up everything for this country, and they deserve to be taken care of when they get back. There are still so many veterans that are still serving when they come back, and it is important to give them everything that they need when they come back into civilian life.”
Ron Peters, who is the Immediate Past State Commander, said he foresees a bright future for VFW posts around the nation.
While the mission will always be to serve veterans and the community, commanders are also searching for the next generation to take over the reins.
Younger veterans are needed to help keep the VFW posts going, officials said, noting that many of the younger generation are busy with family life and other obligations.
“These younger veterans have families and jobs to tend to,” Peters said.
In addition, Peters said the younger vets “are reluctant, just as we were when we first joined.”
Peters remains hopeful, though, that there are many younger veterans with a passion to give back to others.
When they are ready to take the next step, he said the VFW will be waiting with open arms.
“Our VFW’s are not going anywhere,” Peters said. “Younger veterans are coming. When they do come, I have no doubt they are going to lead us to an even brighter future.”
Mirror Staff Writer Calem Illig is at 814-946-7535.
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