By Beth David, Editor
Atria Senior Living honored its veterans, including a little something extra for Irene Inglis, 102, the oldest veteran living in Fairhaven.
Special guests and speakers included Fairhaven’s Veterans Services Officer, Mike Jenney; Ret. Army 1st Class William Kligel; Army nurse Barbara Webster; Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, Chris Azevedo; Select Board member Charlie Murphy; Michael Carter of Bristol Hospice; and Bob McConnell, Ms. Inglis’s good friend who wore his Bristol County Sherif’s Department uniform because Irene told him to.
“Irene always says, ‘Bob, wear that uniform.’” Mr. McConnell told the crowd.
Nine veterans received a framed certificate of appreciation from Bristol Hospice: Army veterans Eugene Kozakiewicz, Richard Scully; Air Force veteran Richard Almy; Coast Guard veterans Christina Lindh, William Whalen; Navy veterans Gilbert Couto, Irene Inglis, Paul Rousselle, James Wilson. Mr. Kligel also gave challenge coins to all the veterans.
Mr. Jenney also read a proclamation from the Mass. Executive Office of Veterans Services, in recognition of her “outstanding service and leadership in the US Navy and your unwavering commitment to your country.”
Mr. Murphy read the citation from the town of Fairhaven, in celebration of her 102nd birthday.
“The town recognizes and celebrates your remarkable milestone,” reads the citation. “May your day be filled with joy and surrounded by loved ones as you reflect on over a century of memories.”
Mr. Carter read the military poem, “The Noble and the Brave,” by Joanna Fuchs, reading in part: “So here’s to our country’s heroes; They’re a cut above the rest; Let’s give the honor that is due to our country’s very best.”
Richard Almy, had a bit of a time getting up from his seat, but when he saw that a woman was handing him a citation, he did not hesitate.
“I’ll stand for a beautiful girl,” he said.
Ms. Inglis got more than emotional, shedding many a tear during the proceedings. She said she did not think she deserved it, as they handed her citations and coins.
“We are very humbled an grateful to have you in our great town,” Mr. Murphy said to all the veterans.
“You enrich our lives and we are grateful,” said Atria Executive Director, Christine Smith.
There were a lot of tears in the room.
But quite possibly, the most special thing that happened was a surprise connection between Army Nurse Barbara Webster, and Ms. Inglis, who was a Navy Nurse.
Ms. Inglis was on a ship headed to Japan in 1944 when WWII ended. Ms. Webster served in Iraq.
“I can’t even talk straight,” said Ms. Inglis, adding that she did not expect it and almost did not attend. “I do not have the words.”
She had no advice for making it to 102, because she just could not get over the big fuss everyone was making about her
“I was a Navy Nurse. I took care of people,” she said. “All this kind of stuff was always for somebody else and I came to watch, and I don’t know what to do here.”
“I was excited to meet Irene,” said Ms. Webster, adding that whenever she meets veterans, they are almost always males.
“She’s extraordinary,” said Ms. Webster. “I will visit her now. I can’t wait until I know more about her.”
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- WWII Navy Nurse Irene Inglis, 102, gives young Roland a clearly appreciated kiss after he gives her a stuffed animal during a veterans appreciation event at Atria Senior Living in Fairhaven on 11/12/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- WWII Navy Nurse Irene Inglis, 102, listens as Barbara Webster explains that she is an Army Nurse, during a veterans appreciation event at Atria Senior Living in Fairhaven on 11/12/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- WWII Navy Nurse Irene Inglis, 102, catches the photographer in the act as she reads the citation she received from the Mass. Executive Office of Veterans Services, during a veterans appreciation event at Atria Senior Living in Fairhaven on 11/12/24. A photo of her in uniform in 1944 is on the table in the foreground. Photo by Beth David.
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- Air Force Veteran Richard Almy poses with his certificate during a veterans appreciation event at Atria Senior Living in Fairhaven on 11/12/24, L-R: Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, Chris Azevedo; Richard’s daughters, Cynthia Rosa and Judith Almy; Mr. Almy; son-in-law Frank Rosa. Photo by Beth David.
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