Latest news with #DonaldDennis
CBS News
26-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Veterans, families gather in Fort Lauderdale to honor fallen on Memorial Day
Dozens of South Floridians gathered Monday at Lauderdale Memorial Park Cemetery to pay tribute to the countless service members who lost their lives in service to the United States. The Memorial Day ceremony, hosted by the City of Fort Lauderdale, was marked by solemn remembrance, heartfelt stories and gratitude from those who served and those who remember. Honoring generations of service Among the attendees was 104-year-old World War II veteran Donald "Buster" Dennis, who served in the U.S. Navy. "I'm happy to be here," Dennis said. His daughter, Shari Johnson, stood by his side, thankful that her father made it home—unlike so many others. "I'm glad my dad made it through. It just makes me appreciate the people who gave their life, but he came home or I wouldn't be here," Johnson said. John Blandin, an Air Force veteran, said remembering those who sacrificed everything is fundamental to the nation's identity. "It means everything because it's the basis of our country's existence," Blandin said. Memories of war and messages of gratitude Gail Jennings, a flight attendant during the Vietnam War, reflected on her time flying troops to and from their R&R breaks. For her service, she was awarded the rank of second lieutenant in the Air Force. "Vietnam was a horrible war and when I was flying we would take them to their R&R and going out was really fun because I made it fun," Jennings said. "Coming back, I would sit in the galley and listen to their stories—all these 18-year-olds. They knew they weren't coming back, and most of them didn't come back." Tonia Riley and her father spent the day honoring her brother Dexter, an Air Force veteran and former Davie police officer who died in a traffic accident. "This is a work that's done with love and supreme dedication and we really just couldn't be here without them," Riley said. For Riley, the ceremony was more than just tradition—it was a powerful reminder of the human cost of freedom. "I think it really commemorates all the love and support that we have for our veterans," she said.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
99-year-old WW2 veteran attends San Angelo Rodeo
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — It is Military Appreciation night at the San Angelo Rodeo, and a 99-year-old United States Army WW2 veteran Donald Dennis talked with KSAN-TV's Senora Scott to talk about his experience. Dennis said he wasn't in the service very long because he saw on a billboard that said if you volunteer for a year, you get a vacation. 'I had been there only six months, so I volunteered,' said Dennis. Dennis talked about how he was stationed in Korea at the time. He said at that time the Japanese Military just left, and before the Chinese came in and started a war. He said he left right as the war was picking up but it was interesting, and the country seemed very poor at the time. 'There was pretty much nothing left, they cleaned out the country of anything of value,' said Dennis. Dennis talked about how people should experience a different country because it's very interesting. 'You discover really quick your country is the best place, there's nothing like home,' said Dennis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
