Walz and Pawlenty pay tribute to generations of military service

11/13/2007

ROCHESTER (AP) -- Eighty-seven-year-old Helen Donelan wore full military dress Sunday as she went on stage to receive a medal from U.S. Rep. Tim Walz as part of a Veterans Day gathering at New Life Worship Center in Rochester.

Walz, a National Guard veteran, honored Donelan for her service on the island of Saipan during World War II.

"I didn't do anything unusual," Donelan, a former first lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps, told the crowd of about 700. "I was just there. That's all."

Her comments were an example of "the spirit of humble service" that Gov. Tim Pawlenty spoke about moments earlier as he thanked Minnesota's war veterans.

"We are so very, very grateful to you and your families," Pawlenty said.

Sunday's event was "tremendous -- the best ever," said Freeland Terpenning, 84, of Rochester, also a World War II veteran.

Jon Larimer of Rochester said he felt young on Sunday. The 26-year-old Iraq war veteran noticed that most people at the event fought in wars decades before him.

But he said the event made him feel connected to his grandpa, who served in World War II. "To be considered in the same category as him [a veteran] is really interesting," he said.