U.S. Coast Guard, WWII Veteran celebrates 100th birthday in Manitowoc
MANITOWOC, Wis. (WFRV) – A local hero is celebrating a remarkable milestone. U.S. Coast Guard veteran Cliff Beupre served in the South Pacific during World War II turns 100 years old on Saturday.
Family, friends, and fellow patriots gathered at Angelus Senior Living in Manitowoc to honor his life and service.
Wisconsin bus driver given shoutout after running to check on driver who crashed into tree
'Today we are here to help Cliff celebrate his 100th birthday,' said Jenny Matte, co-founder of the Patriot Riders of America WI Chapter 2. 'He's a World War II veteran, served in the Coast Guard. We met Cliff two years ago and he's just a wonderful person.'
Beupre has traveled across the world during his service and reflected on his journey. 'I've been all over the world. Through the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal, Salan—I've been just about all over the world. It's been a long trip for me,' he said.
Despite witnessing decades of global change, Beupre remains steadfast in his appreciation for his home country. 'We have to remember we live in the best world right here in America. This is the best country in the world,' he said.
His positivity and resilience continue to inspire those around him. 'He demonstrates somebody who's living life to the fullest,' Matte added. 'He's always in high spirits, he's always smiling, he's got great things to say.'
2025 United States Cheese Champion announced, nine cheeses in Wisconsin finish in top 20
Surrounded by well-wishers, Beupre expressed his gratitude for the celebration. 'It's amazing to see everybody here. It's really, really nice… this is it.'
As Manitowoc honors one of its own, the community celebrates not just a century of life, but a legacy of service and sacrifice that will never be forgotten.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Where to eat: 10 essential restaurants in Fort Pierce include 12A Buoy, Pineapple Joe's
When in Fort Pierce, eat as the locals do. Bucket-list restaurants in Fort Pierce are legendary and beloved, whether it be for the food or for the views — or for both. They can be found on the beach by the Atlantic Ocean, on the water by the Indian River Lagoon or downtown. When you think of Fort Pierce, you think of these restaurants. The city has too many must-visit restaurants to include them all, so TCPalm plans to make more lists. If you have a restaurant that should be included in the next list for Fort Pierce or any Treasure Coast city, email Here are 10 essential restaurants in Fort Pierce. Legendary restaurants: These 7 icons have stood the test of time on the Treasure Coast Where to eat: 10 essential restaurants in Vero Beach include Ocean Grill, Penny Hill Subs 12A Buoy has been a staple of Fisherman's Wharf since owners Katie James and Owen Hartley opened the small seafood restaurant in 2009. It's described as a rustic dive with exceptional eats, highlighting lunch and dinner options from its small kitchen on paper menus. Popular appetizers include lobster mac and cheese and hanging extra thick-cut black pepper and maple glaze bacon. Menu favorites include fresh catch fish, raw bar options, fried shrimp, Florida Black Angus burgers and homemade desserts. 22 Fisherman's Warf, Fort Pierce; 772-672-4524; Archie's Seabreeze started when a former guard shack from the World War II Navy base became a beer joint in 1947. Archie Hitchins was the first owner, but it was Archie Summerlin who added ice cream, sandwiches and the infamous burgers in 1966 that still are a menu mainstay. Summerlin ran the business until his death in 1988 at age 59. Patty McGee bought Archie's from Summerlin's sister in 1994. Its slogan remains the same: "no shoes, no shirt, no problem." 401 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce; 772-460-3888; The late Dennis Horvath and his sister opened the original Captain's Galley Restaurant in 1984 across from the Fort Pierce City Marina and P.P. Cobb General Store. In 1987, Horvath moved and expanded the restaurant to the corner of Seaway and Indian River drives. He ran the eatery with his wife and three children until his death in 2014. Expect to wait for a table, especially for Sunday brunch. Get the Belgian waffle, but split it with someone to save room for more menu items. Order smaller portions of some plates, such as eggs Benedict and pigs in a blanket. 825 Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce; 772-466-8495; Chuck's Seafood Restaurant opened in Fort Pierce on the Indian River Lagoon in 1961 on the Indian River Lagoon. Chuck and Elodie Tabor opened the restaurant using the 'Old Florida' recipes they developed in the 1940s for its famous fried shrimp. Peter Angelos took over in 1984 and ran it with his daughters, Georgette and Nicola — until they became owners when he retired in 2021. The Angelos sisters added weekend brunch and started selling bags of 'Chuck's Famous Seafood Breading' and Mason jars of 'Crazy Nick's Calypso Sauce,' the restaurant's house cocktail sauce and house tartar sauce. They also expanded the outdoor seating area and added live music. 822 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce; 772-461-9484; Dale's Bar-B-Q, known as Dale's BBQ South, was founded by Dale Ernsberger Jr. in 1962. Andrew Sparks took over ownership in 2020 from Daniel Kinser, according to state records. It's not affiliated with the former Dale's BBQ West on Okeechobee Road, which rebranded to become Moonswiners Bar-B-Q in 2014. Dale's BBQ South is known for its sweet tea, onion chips, coleslaw, barbecue sandwiches — beef or pork — and homemade sauces. 3362 S. U.S. 1, Fort Pierce; 772-461-0052; Hurricane Grill & Wings is a national chain that started on Fort Pierce's South Beach in 1995. The Seaway Drive original was called Chris' Hurricane Bar and Grill after founder Chris Russo, who was only 22. Known for its chicken wings and cold beer, that spot is still one of eight Hurricane restaurants in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties. Since becoming a franchise, the restaurant has expanded to 40 locations in the U.S., including 29 in Florida. The restaurant is famous for its jumbo wings and 35 flavors. Signature sauces include Roasted Garlic Inferno for serious heat, Coco Loco with heat from habanero and cool from coconut, Gold Rush with spicy honey mustard, Cyclone with sweet and spicy chili sauce, and Kogi Secret Weapon with sweet garlic soy sauce. 2017 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce; 772-467-9464; Little Jim Bait & Tackle in Fort Pierce, known as Little Jim's, was built in 1942 and originally served as a Navy guard shack and barrier island checkpoint during World War II. When the Navy left in 1944, it gave the city the land, the shack and the wooden bridge. What started out early as a bait shop grew into the popular live music hangout Little Jim's is today. Menu highlights include the pimento cheese spread and house-made classic onion dip with chips for an appetizer, as well as its tacos, pizzas, sandwiches and smash burger. It also serves breakfast from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 601 N. Causeway, Fort Pierce; 772-468-2503; Joseph Robert "Joe Bob" Clemenzi opened Pineapple Joe's Grill & Raw Bar and ran the restaurant for decades with his wife, Mabel, before his passing in 2021. The large dining area with walls lined by pecky cypress wood panels features a clawfoot tub near a pool table topped with a Budweiser chandelier. Its menu includes raw bar options and items from the grill: burgers, hot dogs, chicken breast sandwiches, shrimp, oysters and clam platters. Highlights include the conch fritters, served with its secret sweet and tangy calypso sauce, and the signature pineapple fritters, which are slightly sweet, doughnut hole-like balls. Save room to try the freshly made Key lime pie for dessert. 6297 N. U.S. 1, Fort Pierce; 772-465-6930; All things food: Roundups of the latest reviews, inspections, new and best restaurants The Pot Belli Deli has been a staple of downtown Fort Pierce since owner Lisa Spagnuolo opened the small diner inside the historic Arcade Building in 1989. It's open for breakfast and lunch with low menu prices. For breakfast, order two eggs, bacon or ham or sausage, grits or home fries, and a biscuit or toast for $10.50. It also has pancakes, Texas-style French toast and biscuits and gravy for less than $9. For lunch, order a jumbo hot dog with chili and cheese for less than $8 or the deli burger with lettuce and tomatoes for less than $9. All cold subs and hot subs are less than $10 each. 101 N. U.S. 1, Fort Pierce; 772-465-4888; Sharky's is the only restaurant on North Hutchinson Island. Its plaza was built in 1979, and the owners opened a sandwich shop called Mike's Giant Submarines, which became Sharky's in 1985. It's been owned by Cindy Rohn and her son, Derek, since 2010. It has a laidback, casual atmosphere where customers walk up to the counter to place their orders before they grab a table. It started out with just subs but grew to have an extensive menu with pizza, wings, salads and hamburgers. The subs are named after different sharks: the Great White is an Italian, the White Tip is ham and turkey, the Mako is roast beef and turkey and the Hammerhead is chicken Caesar. Derek Rohn created the Buffalo Soldier with fried chicken, diced and tossed in wing sauce, then topped with bacon and cheddar cheese and toasted. 1012 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce; 772-466-2757; Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 10 essential restaurants in Fort Pierce: Chuck's Seafood, Dale's BBQ
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
The Bay Area's best easy hike has shipwrecks, views and a secret beach
When the Chronicle's data team looked at 1.6 million reviews to find the Bay Area's best shorter, more accessible hikes — 5 miles or less, rated easy and moderate — Lands End Trail came out on top. It is not a controversial choice. Lands End Trail feels like the ending to a great story — a 3.5-mile loop through extreme northwest San Francisco but also an exclamation point of sights and sounds for all of the West Coast. The hike features unique views of the Golden Gate Bridge and perhaps the best sunset-watching in the city, emerging through a canopy of cypress trees to a series of elevated perches that scan the Pacific Ocean horizon. But there are surprises, too, including hidden shipwrecks, a ghostly natural soundtrack and a beach detour that feels like a secret hideout from the 1800s. With apologies to San Gregorio State Beach south of Half Moon Bay, Lands End Trail is the best place in the Bay Area to pretend like you're a pirate. Want to go on a guided history-filled hike of Lands End Trail with culture critic Peter Hartlaub and Total SF friends? Sign up here for the Total SF newsletter and look for details in next Thursday's edition. I arrive on a recent morning, feeling cursed. While most of my journey across the city was filled with sunshine, Lands End and the Golden Gate remain stubbornly socked in with fog. But the marine layer just adds to the melancholy and introspective atmosphere, while making the hike more of an audio experience. The route starts at a small stairway north of the massive parking lot, where you choose which direction to walk. Go counterclockwise, and you'll start on the more elevated and paved southern section that is less transportive and a better opening act. Head clockwise, and you'll see the most memorable sights first. I choose counterclockwise and immediately take the first of three wrong turns, but am met with a friendly jogger, who sets me right. 'Am I going to read about this?' he shouts, fading into the fog. This first part of the loop is more urban, passing by parking lots, the Legion of Honor Museum and several Lincoln Park golf holes, which I hear before I see — the 'thwock!' of a golf club followed by muttered profanity. A memorial for the U.S.S. San Francisco appears a quarter mile in, featuring part of the bridge from the Navy cruiser, which was the U.S. flagship in the Battle of Guadalcanal near the end of World War II. Then a wide wooden stairway curves up to the museum, where the statue 'El Cid Campeador' by sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington stands high on the hill, rearing up in the fog like a Washington Irving character. With Sea Cliff mansions in sight, take a hairpin turn and drop into comparative wilderness, with windswept trees, isolated paths and the Golden Gate Bridge, unveiled halfway through this hike like a magic trick. If fog has hidden the bridge and Marin Headlands from view, consider it an opportunity to focus on the hike's auditory charms. Foghorns in lower and higher registers seem to be in conversation with one another, and the crashing waves feel like they're syncing with your footsteps. Don't miss the best part of the hike, around the 2-mile mark, where a steep spur trail drops onto an isolated beach. This is where Lands End Trail pushes the harder side of 'moderate,' with some rocky climbs out. The bridge is on more postcards, but the descent into Mile Rock Beach is the trail's pinnacle, especially for locals who may not know it exists. Scattered logs and rocks are stacked in artistic towers on the quiet sand, framed by majestic offshore rock formations. The remains of Mile Rocks Lighthouse are visible about 200 yards in the distance. I climb back up and rejoin the trail, which follows the same path as a long-gone 1800s railway to the Cliff House and Sutro Heights. The occasional promontory with a bench offers a spot to rest and watch for shipwrecks at low tide. (The blocky engines of the Lyman Stewart and Frank Buck tankers are the most common sight.) Soon, I'm back in the 21st century near the trailhead — all the better if you timed your walk to one of the best places in the world to watch a sunset. The winding path drops into the ruins of Sutro Baths, Adolph Sutro's engineering marvel that was once a huge structure filled with indoor pools. Sutro Heights Park is up the hill for anyone who doesn't want the day of exploration to end. People used to come to Lands End at the finish of a very long journey across the U.S., taking a ferry from Oakland or Richmond to San Francisco, then that steam train for a slow rumble to the remarkable ocean views. How lucky that we get to experience this as part of a spontaneous morning.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Thousands come to World War II Weekend for ‘genuine experience'
The trip from Tolland to Bern Township isn't a particularly short one. The route from the Connecticut town stretches about 260 miles, down the eastern seaboard to Newark and then west through Allentown. At nearly five hours, it's quite the hike. That's especially true if, like Robert Garabedian, you happen to be a century old. But sitting inside a hangar at Reading Regional Airport late Saturday morning, a steady drizzle tapping on the ground outside, the 100-year-old Army Air Corps veteran was happy he made it. 'I think this is just spectacular,' he said, gazing at the displays honoring the Tuskegee Airmen and other pilots who served during World War II. 'It has to be one of the best events I've ever been to, and I've been to a lot of places in my life.' Saturday was Garabedian's first visit to the Mid Atlantic Air Museum's annual World War II Weekend, an event celebrating its 34th anniversary. For him, the experience — seeing pristine World War II aircraft, watching reenactors clad in military uniforms and carrying rifles, visiting a model of a 1940s French village — sparked a lot of memories. This year's event began Friday and concludes Sunday. A native of Boston, he decided as a teenager to serve his country in World War II by becoming a fighter pilot for the Army Air Corps — the predecessor to the Air Force. After putting in a lot of effort, going through training and passing tests, he finally got his wings and commission in December 1944. He was then assigned to a fighter group that was scheduled to participate in the invasion of Japan, but before he could deploy America dropped a pair of atomic bombs on Japan, effectively bringing the war to an end. 'I finished all of my training and was ready to go over, but they dropped the atomic bombs,' he said. 'I think word leaked out that I was coming, so they gave up. I hate to take credit — I didn't win the whole war.' 'I still have my sense of humor,' he added with a hearty laugh. Robert Garabedian, 100, was training to be a pilot when WWII ended before he was deployed overseas was a guest during the World War II Weekend on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in the Reading Regional Airport. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) Garabedian went on to attend Boston University and met his wife, with whom he would have 12 children. He is still a member of the Connecticut National Guard, serving in a unit that participates in funerals of deceased military members. Garabedian said he was invited to participate in the World War II Weekend by an organization that connects veterans to events like it. 'The interest and attention that we get from people, and the appreciation that they have shown to veterans like me is so wonderful,' he said. 'You know they call us 'the greatest generation.' Thanks very much for saying that, but anyone who puts on the uniform and wants to serve our country deserves the appreciation of all the people who aren't doing that.' Giving that kind of appreciation is exactly why Oliver and Ben Knesl try to make it a point never to miss a World War II Weekend. The father and son duo have traveled from New Jersey to spend the weekend at the event for more than a decade Oliver said his love for history drew him to the event, but the talent and commitment of those who help transport visitors back in time keeps them coming back. 'This is a super show — one of the best in the world,' he said. 'The breadth of the reenactors and the attention to detail that goes into this is just phenomenal.' That authenticity is what inspired them to dress the part themselves. A native of New Zealand, Oliver was wearing a uniform representing the Long Range Desert Group — a reconnaissance and raiding unit of the British Army. Ben was dressed in a uniform worn by the British 1st Airborne Division. Ben, 18, said he loves learning something new each time he comes to the event and that he meets a lot of interesting people along the way. It's an immersive experience, he said. 'A lot of people don't really know about this stuff and this provides a genuine experience,' he said. 'It's like a living museum.' World War II Weekend isn't just a special event for visitors but also for those helping to bring history to life. Tim Kuntz of Ephrata, a member of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders reenactment group, talks about the unit during the World War II Weekend on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in the Reading Regional Airport. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) Saturday morning a group of 12 of them — reenactors decked out in full uniforms — were stationed under a brown tarp. The actors were sitting around their encampment decorated with items from the era. They were portraying the 7th Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, which fought in France before being stationed in northern Africa and Sicily. The battalion also took part in the invasion of Normandy. 'We are as authentic as possible,' said Tim Kuntz of Lancaster, who has been a reenactor since 1986. 'We have the rations they would get, the weapons they would use, the uniforms they would wear to show how the soldiers lived, fought and, unfortunately, sometimes died.' Kuntz said he enjoys being able to show a different, perhaps unfamiliar perspective of the war. 'The American and British relationship really grew during the war through mutual defiance,' he said. 'And those close ties they formed then remain to this day.' Most of the members of the reenacting group hail from Pennsylvania and New York and travel around the region for events. 'I like the teaching aspect of what we do,' Kuntz said. 'When I talk to the kids about the alliances that were formed and see the lightbulb go off — that's why I do it.' Laura Adie of Montgomery County is part of the group. She portrays a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women's branch of the British Army. For several years Britain conscripted women to join the war effort. Unmarried women under 30 had to join the armed forces or work on the land or in factories. 'They did a lot of the behind-the-scenes tasks,' she said. 'I work as a public museum educator so I have always been interested in living history events. 'And it's much more compelling to me to portray the British involvement during World War II because they were so much in the thick of things' she added. 'There was a more immediate threat and impacted their daily lives in a way that Americans did not experience.' Members of the Argull and Sutherland Highlanders reenactment group recreated a scene from Cairo. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) While learning more about the details of World War II is a big part of the weekend, some visitors said they stopped by mainly to check out the cool planes. Becca Burke, an aircraft mechanic from Lebanon County, said she is in awe of the effort it takes to restore them. 'I really love old warbirds, especially those that are still airworthy because there is so much effort that goes into keeping them that way,' she said. 'A lot of the techniques working with fabric wings are just lost to time. So every time I see one of those flying, it's so exciting.' Saturday was Burke's first time at the event, and she said she was hoping the weather would clear up so she could see some aerial demonstrations. 'It's just a really great event,' she said. 'It's so cool.' World War II Weekend concludes Sunday, running from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate.
