Veterans and their families gathered in The Bungalows at Bowling Green, a senior living community, on Sunday, Dec. 7, to memorialize the victims of the attack on Pearl Harbor and celebrate those who have served in the United States military.
The event began with speeches from several veterans, including Frank Smothers, a Bungalows resident who said he worked as a combat engineer in World War II. He said the position centered around building roads and bridges for incoming troops.
“Otherwise, they’d have to fight their way through mountains, humps and holes,” Smothers said. “But we took our bulldozers and made a path.”
Smothers said he entered the military at 17 years old with his parents’ permission after being rejected the previous year for his short stature. He said that after his time in World War II, he spent four years as a professional jockey before being recalled to serve in Korea.
“Halfway through Korea, I got wounded in the left ankle,” Smothers said. “So they sent me back to first aid, and they said, ‘Well, you’re going home.’”
Smothers said he was confused by the order, given how minor the ankle injury had been. He said that when he asked his company commander directly, the reason had nothing to do with his leg.
“I’m technically blind in my right eye,” Smothers said. “When they examined me, I couldn’t see piddly poo.”
Smothers said that after his discharge, he returned to work as a jockey, then maintained other jockeys’ uniforms for 28 years.
Debbie Harwood, one of the memorial’s organizers, said the event was a collaboration between The Bungalows at Bowling Green and her Empowerment Group. Harwood said the Empowerment Group regularly informs veterans and other community members about local resources.
“We hold a monthly workshop, which is open to the public, and invite our community partners,” Harwood said. “So people can come out and learn about what services are available to them.”
Harwood said the Empowerment Group has collaborated with The Bungalows at Bowling Green before and will continue to do so.
Darla Handy, the Bungalows’ community engagement director, said Smothers had suggested the idea of a Pearl Harbor Memorial. Handy said the facility often takes input from Smothers and other residents.
“This is their home, so we definitely want to do things that are important to them,” Handy said. “We have several veterans who live here, along with widows and daughters of veterans.”
Handy said the home aims to host veteran events quarterly. He also said that the Pearl Harbor Memorial event will become an annual tradition.
The final veteran to speak before the memorial’s lunch was Todd Alcott, the current mayor of Bowling Green. Alcott said he served 21 years from 1995 to 2016, and greatly respected those who served before him.
“Hearing stories from my dad about those that served during Vietnam and World War II, and meeting those veterans has always influenced me,” Alcott said. “They’re not called the ‘Greatest Generation’ for nothing; they sacrificed everything they could for our nation to have the freedoms we have.”
Alcott said his service and respect for other veterans are reflected in his opinions on first responders in Bowling Green.
“I believe in having a strong police force and firefighters,” Alcott said. “Those things make us a better nation because we can help you when you need help.”
Alcott said he wants a high quality of life and opportunities for young people, a belief he said was inspired by his respect for military service.
“Serving is about being a part of something bigger than yourself,” Alcott said. “That’s when you unify as a nation to help others in need.”
