Pocono News Section

World War II Vets Gather in Columbia County

World War II Vets Gather in Columbia County - Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 4:55PM EST

ORANGEVILLE, COLUMBIA COUNTY -- It wasn't a typical day at the Creekside Family Restaurant, but the cars outside donning troop support symbols hold clues as to who's inside.
The Susquehanna Valley World War Two Veterans group meets the first Thursday of every month.

"Our World War II population is shrinking, and I got together with the guys and said we should meet more often," said John Paul of Bloomsburg, the group's organizer.

He says studies show less than 14% of World War II veterans are still alive.

"We have buddies that we lost," said Curt Kahl of Scenic Knolls. "We're left, but not too many of us."

Kahl was the top gunner on B-25s. Bill Woznek served in the Pacific at the same time.

"He's a hero, a man who should be admired," Woznek said of Kahl. "I made it, they missed me, they shot at me, they bombed me, I got through."

Bruce Wagner is the oldest veteran here, at 92 years old.

"My family has four generations in the service," said Wagner.

Dick O'Neal was one of five brothers who fought in World War II. All came home safely.

"I don't know how my father and mother put up with it," said O'Neal. "I had one son in Vietnam and I was going crazy. How they put up with five in at one time..."

John Paul organizes these get-togethers and fears the inevitable.

"It's a terrible thing, but when I get up in the morning, I read the obituary column," said Paul.

These guys joke about their days being numbered, but they make sure at least one day a month is spent together.

John Paul encourages any World War II veteran who's interested in getting together with their crew, to give him a call at 784-8891 or email him at thepope26@msn. com.