Friends, Band Make for Good D-Day Mix At Soldiers’ Home

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Concerts, Tributes

Story and photos by Liz Cocke.

Friends of the Soldiers Home was thrilled to help organize a concert for veterans of the Armed Forces Retirement Home-Washington on Friday, June 6th. The event commemorated the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, with music provided by the Cedarville High School band from Michigan. The music moved residents and those attending the concert to remember all who served on D-Day – and to recognize the several World War II veterans who were attending. The students enjoyed speaking with the residents about their service, and about the history of the Home. Residents enjoyed hearing from the students about their performance the previous day at the World War II Memorial. This is the second concert in two weeks that Friends arranged with Music Celebrations International, following a Memorial Weekend event.

World War II Veterans Welcomed Home at Armed Forces Retirement Home on April 5, 2014

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Tributes

World War II veterans were welcomed home to the Armed Forces Retirement Home yesterday following a special visit to the conflict’s memorial on the National Mall. A Marine band played, active military members saluted and many members of the community came out to wave flags and say thank you. Some of the WWII veterans were Home residents while others were flown in as part of the Honor Flights program.

Photos by Isabelle Hughes.

Happy Hour Wasn’t Quite As Happy Without A Good Friend

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Tributes

Tuesday, Feb. 25 marked was one of our best Happy Hours of the 15 we have worked at — great jokes, fun volunteers, smiling veterans. Yet there was a sad note, because when we looked for one of our regular ‘customers,’ we learned that Miss Margaret Tuck passed away several days ago.

Miss Tuck was a stalwart at Jingo Nights. With her hearing difficulty, we would be her ears during the games. She played to win and loved the prizes. One time she insisted the staff get her out of bed so she could come down and play. She hated the idea that she would miss out on anything. While she preferred the games, she’d come to Happy Hour and stay a while as food and drinks were served. Then she’d ask, “Is this all there is?” and want to be taken back to her room.

When you told Miss Tuck she looked nice, her eyes would twinkle. She was a strong self advocate with a bellowing voice that would fit in a James Cagney movie. “Hey Mistah, can you get me a coffee?”

We miss you Miss Tuck. Thank you for your service to our country. Thank you for brightening our lives each time we stepped on campus to volunteer.

Photos: Miss Tuck doing what she loved best, playing a good game of Jingo, with Friends volunteers Patti DeBow (above) and Teddy Hughes (upper right).