Local DAV chapter recognizes women in their lives
By THERESA CAMPBELL, DAILY SUN
THE VILLAGES ? Disabled American Veterans Chapter 150 members think the world of the women in their lives.
On Valentine?s Day, the chapter honored their wives or significant others during a meeting and social at La Hacienda Center, and presented each woman with a large, heart-shaped box of chocolates covered in glossy, red cellophane.
?It?s a nice feeling,? Ann Vella, of the Village of Rio Ponderosa, said of being one of five women honored by the 22 veterans in the room.
She has been married for 58 years to John Vella, her World War II veteran husband who was disabled 63 years ago while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
?She?s a very important part of my life,? John said, glancing over at his sweetheart.
Ruth Howard, of the Village of Orange Blossom Hills, also was touched to be honored with a special valentine from the veterans.
?I have such respect for these men, because they were wounded,? she said. ?They gave everything that they had.?
Adjutant Jim Whitney, of the Village of Del Mar, noted that the chapter has been honoring women with a Valentine?s Day gift for 20 years.
?We honor the wives because of all the (stuff) they put up with us over the years,? Whitney said. ?We do this once a year, and they deserve more than that.?
The local chapter keeps busy in service work, by providing fellow veterans with van transportation to and from the Gainesville VA Hospital for their appointments. Whitney noted that the chapter also assists veterans in their claims with the VA, and in meeting other needs veterans and their families may have. They keep members up-to-date concerning new benefits, too.
All eligible veterans are invited to join DAV Chapter 150. Current memberships in other chapters can be transferred to the local one at no charge. For information, call Whitney at 753-9599.
Theresa Campbell is a senior features writer with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9260, or
theresa.campbell@thevillagesmedia.com.
