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48 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JANUARY 2024 | Our Veterans Group has continued to grow since it's first meeting in September. We started out with 15 Veterans from each Branch of Service and grew to almost 70 in November. With the number of questions about it during the Veterans Walk, I suspect we'll be over 80 by Christmas. Our Veterans Walk was successful having numerous members participate. After the parade, two of our members, Dan Funderburk and Anthony Peters, spoke about their experiences in the service. I'm told that both did a wonderful presentation, but that Dan's brought several spectators to tears. Also after the parade the Sun Lakes Quilters presented Quilts of Valor to six Veterans, they are Ric Dalton USMC who served in Vietnam from 1962-1966; Dolph Mason USA Veteran who also served in Vietnam from 1964-1967; Fred Brooks, a Bronze Star recipient, who also service in Vietnam from 1965-1969 in Special Forces; Don Buck, who served in the Navy for 1967-1969; Joe Formino who service in the Air Force from 1955 to 1957, and Bob Schive who served in the USN Submarine service from 1969-1980. Being one of the recipients, I can't begin to express what an HONOR this was. Our sincere thanks to the Ladies of Sun Lakes Quilters for the many hours, and warmth, they spent making the quilts Looking forward to 2024. Our meetings are scheduled to be in the Main Clubhouse Ballroom the second Tuesday of every month from now until possibly August, at which time we will be working with the Recreation Department to make sure we have a place large enough to accommodate our membership. On Jan. 20, there is a Veterans Expo at Albert A. Chatigny Sr. Community Center from 10 am to 1 pm. It's open to all military, Veterans, family and friends. We are working with the Beaumont Transit Department to have a bus pick up those interested in going, to take us there and bring us back. If you plan on going, please let me know as I'll need a head count to make sure we have appropriate transportation set up. My number is (951) 990-2805. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN Veterans Group