A pair of local World War II veterans and long-time friends will be honored with a birthday surprise Saturday. Mountain Home residents Harlan Vanderpool and Robert Cwiak of the Southern Meadows community will get an escort courtesy of the Patriot Guard Riders, Color Guard and Sword Arch by the Mountain Home Junior ROTC to the Ozark VFW Post 3246 for a special medal ceremony.
Vanderpool just turned 100 years old on Thursday. Carol Cerny is one of the organizers of the event, and she says it was discovered in August he had lost his medals in transport on his way back home from the war.
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Cwiak, another World War II veteran, turned 97 on Wednesday, and he will also be honored after state legislators were contacted for assistance in obtaining two American Flags that had flown over the nation’s capitol to present to each veteran. World War II medals will be re-delivered and a Presidential Unit Citation, and Mountain Home Quilts of Valor Chapter members will present quilts
Both men served in Italy for different units nearly one base away from each other. Cwiak served as a bombadeer during the wartime.
Cerny says she has been impressed with the support of the local community in arranging Saturday’s event.
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Local VFW commander Ronnie Young is also a member of the Patriot Guard Riders. He says it’s a privilege to honor Vanderpool and Cwiak since so few World War II veterans are still living.
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Young recently added special thanks to other individuals and organizations.
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The Patriot Guard Riders will meet at Harps on the west end of the Sheid-Hopper Bypass. They will drive to pick up Vanderpool and Cwiak and escort them to the VFW. Those attending the ceremony but not the escort are asked to arrive at the VFW at 12:15. The ceremony begins at 1:30. Coffee and donuts will be provided, and lunch will follow the ceremony.
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