World War II veterans are dying off.
Some experts say the nation is losing 1,000 of those men — commonly referred to as the Greatest Generation — each and every day.
It must be a record of sorts that five men, all brothers who served during the war, are all still alive and well.
Monday, during their weekly luncheon, members of the Philadelphia Rotary Club honored those five men, known as the Jackson brothers, and three other WW II vets by presenting them with Distinguished Service lapel pins. Al Hopkins, who is running for the state’s Attorney General position and who is a retired major general for the Mississippi Army National Guard, was on hand to present the men with their pins and to thank them for their service.
“Where would we be right now without these great men and the millions of others like them?” asked Hopkins. “They were a part of the generation of greatness that freed countries and stamped out oppression.”
The five brothers, C. O., Fullton, Jeffie, Lawson and O. D. Jackson, each served with the U.S. Army. Four of the men served in the Pacific Theater with one battling on the European front. Two other brothers who were also on hand, Howard and Windell Jackson, served in the Korean War. Altogether, there were nine brothers and three sisters in the family.
“One of the brothers who served in the National Guard has passed away from cancer,” said O. D. Jackson, who is 96 years old. “The other brother died as an infant.”
All of the men were humble, as are many of the men who fought in the war. They said they appreciated the recognition — but they were just doing their duty.
“Today was fun and I’m happy to be here,” said O. D. Jackson. “But we were just doing what we were supposed
to do back then. I’m thankful we are still all together.”
“This was the best honor I ever received,” added Jeffie Jackson. “I’m proud of my brothers.”
Hopkins said these men are important figures in American history.
“These men can take their place alongside those who landed at Plymouth Rock and who signed the Declaration of Independence,” Hopkins said. “Because of them, the bells have a distinctive ring of freedom.”
All of the brothers served in different units while fighting in the war.
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Five brothers, WW II vets, still together
Jackson brothers honored by Philadelphia Rotarians
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