Veteran receives gift

Veteran receives gift

NAVY VETERAN RECEIVES GIFT OF A LIFETIME

Lester Helmick, a Pearl Harbor survivor, received a gift from Waverly High School Bank director, John Huffman. Huffman presented Helmick with a book after a ceremony honoring World War II veterans at East School before Memorial Day.

Helmick said, "It's a manual about how to be a sailor, how to follow orders, and the respect that goes with it."

Helmick was on the USS California when it went down on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor. Helmick added, "All the manuals went down with the ship." When presented with the book, Helmick said he hadn't seen a manual like that since his boat went down over 60 years ago.

Huffman received the book from a naval officer and former assistant band director. When Huffman heard a Pearl Harbor survivor would be at the ceremony he'd decided that the book would be the perfect gift.

Huffman said, "I was glad I was able to find someone who could appreciate the book." Helmick said the book brought back memories of his military action.

Huffman, an Army man of 24 years himself, and a member of the 122nd band, gave the gift of reliving a career to a Pearl Harbor survivor.

The Waverly News Watchman

June 2003

By Bret Bevns for the Waverly News Watchman

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Waverly, Ohio 45690