BRADNER- Donald Dunn, 84, was the tail gunner on a bomber in the European Theater during World War II and
shot down three times, twice in Allied lands and the third in enemy territory behind Berlin. His
brother-in-law and brother-in-arms, Bob Romaker, witnessed the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima
as a Marine who fought in the Pacific Theater.
Saturday evening both men were among the 105 veterans thanked by Albert Bowe American Legion Post 338 at
its fifth annual appreciation dinner. Veterans and companions attend the meal and entertainment free, a
gift not only from the post and its auxiliary unit and Sons, but from the many businesses who contribute
to it. (Photo: World War II Army veteran Russell Sours and his wife Jeanette enjoy a laugh with servers
as they wait in line for food. (Photo: Enoch Wu/Sentinel-Tribune))
Dunn and his wife, Patti, from Bowling Green, along with his sister, Teeny Romaker of Perrysburg, and
Bob, 84, comprised four of the 200 total guests. The majority of veterans present were from World War
II, Korea and Vietnam.
Five days into a month-long battle on Iwo Jima, Romaker saw a large American flag being raised on the
summit of Mount Suribachi – a moment immortalized by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal.
"I saw the raising of the large flag, the big one when they were putting it up," he said.
"That’s a moment in history like you can’t describe."
Romaker explained a small American flag was placed first on the mount, resulting in shouting and noise
making. "But it wasn’t too visible. It was too small." Three hours later, while Romaker was
sitting by his radio, he turned around, looked up at the mount
and wondered what was going on.
"They were putting up the great big flag," he said, the moment captured by Rosenthal in a
single frame. The photograph won a Pulitzer Prize and became the picture on which was based the Iwo Jima
Memorial in Washington, D.C.
His brother-in-law, Dunn, and his bomber crew fell from the sky into the arms of Russians and stayed with
them for one month before getting safely to England.

Saturday’s tribute meal is the second one he and his wife have attended. "I just feel you can almost
get close to tears at times," Dunn stated of the event.
"It’s wonderful they do such a thing for them," added Patti Dunn. "Real impressive, I
think."
This was also the second time Romaker and his wife attended. "I think it’s absolutely great that
they’re doing this sort of salute because so many people appreciate it," he said. "It brings
the veterans together – those of us who survive."
Both men favor State Issue 1 on Tuesday which gives a small financial compensation to veterans of the
wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf. "I’m in favor of it
because so many other veterans have received some sort of compensation after their military
service," said Romaker. "It’s needed now more than ever."
Ken Corbin, 83, of Wayne, is a veteran of the Korean War. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1949
to 1951, and during the war was a cook’s helper stationed stateside. He was supposed to be shipped to
England but ended up in Michigan.
Corbin said attending the annual dinner at his post "makes one proud I served the United States. If
I could do it again, I’d do it again if I was able."
He likes Issue 1. "Them guys are over there fighting for us. We knew who the enemy was. Over there,
they don’t."
Al Carver of Bradner is a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War. The soon-to-be 64-year-old was
stationed on a heavy cruiser, the flagship of the Second Fleet, anchored in Norfolk, Va. He began as a
Reservist, went active duty from 1964 until July 1, 1966, and stayed in Reserves until 1969.
However, 14 days after he stepped down from active duty, his Navy buddies were shipped to Vietnam.
"No, I didn’t plan it that way," he said.
Carver said the appreciation dinner is great, and especially likes to see veterans attend who live in the
Sandusky Veterans’ Home.
Air Force nurse Trudy Ault of Onsted, Mich., wears two hats during the dinner each year. She is a member
of the post and its chaplain, having served in the Air Force from 1973-1977, including two years at
Torrijon Air Force Base in Madrid, Spain. Since she grew up in Bradner she joined Post 338, instead of
one in Michigan.
Secondly, she is one of the three "team" members who put on the dinner. Post Commander John
Kohl is the chef, assisted by Judi Gonder, canteen manager, and Ault designs each year’s certificate for
the veterans, among other duties. She sends them to former Sen. John Glenn for his signature since he is
a veteran of both World War II and Korea.
Ault credits Korean War veteran Milford Smith and the late George Nagy with initially suggesting the post
host an appreciation meal for the veterans.