HOW A COMMUNITY SAYS “THANK YOU”
Veda Ponikvar, planning committee. Photo by Jean Cole. CHISHOLM – Next weekend’s welcome home celebration for the 114th Transportation Company in Chisholm will be made possible by many volunteers and local businesses. Whether it is by serving on a planning committee, a food committee, or a fundraising committee, the folks in Chisholm are dedicated in their support for the returning soldiers and plan to host a fine event.
VEDA PONIKVAR, PLANNING COMMITTEE
Veteran Veda Ponikvar, Lt. Commander with the Office of Naval Intelligence during WWII, and founder and former publisher of the Chisholm Free Press newspaper, is a staunch supporter of military servicemen and servicewomen and has been an integral part of planning the weekend’s agenda.
She said it’s proper that events like this are held a few months after the soldiers’ return from a war deployment. “Once they come home they should not be expected to be back on the job right away. They’ve been home for two and a half months now and that will make a tremendous difference. They will have had time with their families, know what challenges are in front of them and understand better what’s ahead.”
Rosie Marino & Ron Macynski, food committee. Photo by Jean Cole. When Ponikvar talks about the fighter jets over the Bridge of Peace, the appearance of Major General Shellito, Wolfpack soldiers marching from the armory to the Chisholm High School, and our national anthem being sung by WWII veteran Nick Zobenica, you can see her bursting with pride. “Can’t you just see it? Won’t it be fabulous?” she said.
“I’ve considered it a tremendous honor to work with the soldiers of the 114th,” she said, “and I must mention Sgt. Stenlund, he has done a beautiful job, unbelievable. [The 114th] knows exactly what they’re doing and why. They are an incredible unit, they came to the plate and as American soldiers performed their task in a way that many of us did not expect of them. They did their work, stood their ground, and protected the United States of America. We owe them a deep gratitude.”
ROSIE MARINO, FOOD COMMITTEE
Rosie Marino is in charge, somewhat unofficially, of feeding 2000 or so people for the homecoming. She says she has lots of help, but because of her history of volunteering, and being in charge for the 114th’s deployment send-off last year, it was a natural that she took the reins this year.
Assisting her are numerous volunteers and the American Legion – “a great support group,” she said. “This would not be possible without contributions from businesses and individuals. It just would not happen. We get no money from the National Guard for this. We have to solicit everything.
Despite the hard work, Marino said it’s just plain fun. “Everyone pitches in, everyone from last year is helping again this year. Then [on Sunday], in a couple of hours, it’ll be all over with, and there’s the let down.” She said the soldiers and their families are very appreciative, and commented on how they received so many thank yous last year. “You get to meet a lot of interesting people,” she said.
