FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - Veterans from across Georgia gathered to celebrate the life of a World War II veteran whose death, his daughter had feared, would go unnoticed.
The Gainesville Times reports that more than 100 people gathered at the Masonic Lodge in Flowery Branch on Saturday afternoon to honor Pfc. Cornelius Cornelssen VIII. The 93-year-old died earlier this month and his daughter Candice Easton had been worried no one would show up to his "celebration of life."
His obituary says he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and earned a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.
Air Force veteran Don Hemphill says he drove almost three hours from Warner Robins to attend the gathering. He says the number of living World War II-era veterans is dwindling and their courage needs to be honored.