At 83, World War II veteran Franklin Stephens would gladly go overseas to fight for his country.

And he’s not alone.

Tomball Veterans of Foreign War trustee and WWII veteran Charles Parker said he tried to re-enlist recently but was told he was “too experienced.”

“In this post, among our vets, there’s not a single one who wouldn’t volunteer to do it again if we could,” Stephens said. “We’ve been there, done that.”

At left, Tomball VFW Post 2427 Senior Vice Commander and PR Chairman Franklin Stephens (left) and Trustee Charles Parker (right) are two of the dwindling population of WWII veterans still living in the U.S.

The two are among millions of veterans nationwide who will be recognized Nov. 11 as the country celebrates Veteran’s Day.

Stephens served in Europe during WWII, where he was with the 9th Air Force, serving, among other positions, as communications chief toward the end of the war.

“I was Johnny-do-it-all,” he said.

After returning home to the U.S. in 1949, Stephens said he was literally dragged by two friends to a VFW meeting.

He has been involved with the organization ever since.

“Back then, it was the thing to do,” Stephens said of serving in the military. “Everyone was immobilized. There was not one home in the country that wasn’t in support or engaged in the war effort.”

These days, Stephens leads Tomball’s VFW Post 2427 as Senior Vice Commander and PR Chairman.

And with the number of WWII veterans dying off at a rate of more than 1,000 per day, according to a 2008 Associated Press report, Stephens is doing all he can to preserve the memories and encourage support for the troops.

Stephens said he doesn’t feel that veterans get the recognition they deserve nationwide, but that they “absolutely” do locally, and it’s a “unique experience.”

“No matter where we (veterans) go, people give us a pat on the back and thank us for our service,” he said.

The Tomball post, the largest in Harris County, will be commemorating the day with several different activities, including sending out post members to area schools to speak.

Members of the Tomball VFW will be at Wal-Mart at 10 a.m. Nov. 11 for a ceremony followed by a barbeque at the post beginning at 11 a.m.

The post will be hosting an estimated 40 disabled veterans from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Hospital in downtown Houston to honor their service to the country.

“It gives them a day out,” Stephens said. “There’s nothing worse than being laid up in a hospital all day. We will do what we can to give them a good time that day.”

Stephens said State Representative Allen Fletcher is also scheduled to speak at the post on the holiday.

At its heart, Stephens said the VFW’s goal is to focus on others.

“We’re not trying to serve ourselves, but serve the outside community,” he said.

For more information on the Tomball VFW Post 2427, visit www.vfwpost2427.org.

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