Submitted by Jim D’Arcy, Past Commander VFW Post #335
It’s a small informal group that meets at Cranford’s VFW on Monday nights. It’s all for a bit of shuffleboard and pizza and, of course, good old-fashioned comradery. Most nights are a serene replication of the Monday before. It’s almost kind of comforting in that it doesn’t change much except for a new face or two on occasion.
Monday, the 28th of January was an exception, however. Monday was Pete’s birthday. Pete isn’t just any member of the Cranford VFW, Peter Klein is a World War II vet and there’s not a lot of them around. He was an Omaha Beach medic on D-Day and a Battle of the Bulge survivor, just to name a few of his vast war experiences.
As a cake was presented before him that night, Pete made sure to remind us he is now 97.
“I would kind of like to turn those numbers around and be 79 again,” Pete grinned, “but 97 is pretty good too!” He had no trouble blowing out the candles and gleamed with pride when he did.
Pete, who is a widower, lives in his Cranford home of over 40 years, and he expresses a great love for the people at the VFW.
“It’s like I have another family there, they treat me so special it’s almost embarrassing,” Pete said.
Two years ago, he was the Grand Marshall in the Cranford Memorial Day Parade and got to ride in a WWII era Jeep to the ceremony. “Boy did that bring back memories,” he said. Last Memorial Day, Pete got to ride in the Parade alongside another D-Day veteran, Danny Sullivan, who lives in Union. The meeting between the two was serendipitous. They grew up in the same Elizabeth neighborhood and hadn’t seen each other in over 85 years before that chance meeting in the parade. “Now that was a terrific coincidence,” Pete added.
A great story teller, Pete as quickly can tell you a story about his new found “Meals on Wheels” experiences as he can about being a youngster in Elizabeth in the late 1920’s and 30’s. A 15-year-old Saturn is Pete’s car these days and he only goes to the supermarket and the VFW on Mondays with it. He was stopped leaving the VFW a few Monday nights ago by a Cranford Police Officer. Pete wasn’t worried about alcohol, he always nurses one beer all night and it’s usually half full when he leaves. “Officer can I help you,” Pete asked the young Patrolman. The officer looked at Pete and his WWII Veterans hat he proudly wears, and said “Sir, just wanted to let you know you have a tail light out. Please get home safely.”
Maybe he was pulled over for another reason, who can know, but the respect Pete felt from the officer left him impressed. “Nice young fellow,” Pete mused.
So Monday nights continue at the VFW as they always have, and everyone there looks forward to Peter Klein walking through the door waving his cane saying a “happy to be here” hello. He waves the cane the same when he leaves a few hours later, happy to just be here. So true Pete, aren’t we all?
(above) Peter Klein, WWII vet, celebrates his 97th birthday with Cranford’s VFW Post #335.
