Rotarians honor Lake Tahoe area veterans

Those who serve the community honored those who served the country during the annual Tahoe Douglas Rotary Veteran's Day celebration Friday.

Club member Brian Williams, US Marines (retired), organized this year's event as he does each year, inviting local veterans for lunch and a program. The Marine Corps 242nd birthday fell on the event this year, and the former Marine had a special birthday for the attendees to enjoy.

Honored this year were Warren Smith, U.S. Marines (retired), Bill Kirschner, U.S. Air Force (retired), Dennis Berry, U.S. Coast Guard (retired), Frank Murray, U.S. Air Force (retired), Bob Cook, U.S. Army (retired) and Martin Hollay, Hungarian Air Force (retired).

Hollay, a long-time fixture the slopes of Heavenly Resort where a trail was recently named in his honor, fought for Hungary in WWII and also ended up in Prisoner of War (POW) camp.

Murray was one of six pilots to ever fly the A-12 for the United States. After his 29 years of service, including 25 of those as a fighter pilot he moved over to the CIA to fly for them.

Two marines from the Carson Valley also came to lunch, Staff Sgt. Lunn and Sgt. Henderson as did their newest recruit, a Whittell High School senior. Greeting the veterans as they entered the lunch at MontBleu was South Lake Tahoe bagpiper Sean Cummings.

Besides Williams, Tahoe Douglas Rotarians at Friday's meeting who are also veterans are Tony Grasso, Randy Butler, Doug Rousse, John Breylinger and Randy Maahs.