By Mark Marotta
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

David Snyder, president of the Ann’s Choice veterans group, has big plans for the organization.

Snyder, who served in the Navy for 35 years, says he has been involved in the veterans group for the almost five years he has been living at Ann’s Choice. The organization currently has more than 200 members, and Snyder says he would like to increase that number to 300.

He adds that the group currently includes veterans from World War II through the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. They are a “terrific group of men,” says Snyder, adding that there are also a couple of women who were Navy nurses.

Group activities
The veteran group meets once a month in the performing arts center at Ann’s Choice.

“We try to find out if anything is happening with the veterans that they need help with,” Snyder says.

 Additionally, he says, “I’m implementing a new thing at Ann’s Choice. I’m putting entertainment into the meetings. That way, I feel it will encourage more people to come out.”

For instance, at its September  meeting, the group presented videos honoring the memory of a Pearl Harbor survivor and also showing campus celebrations of patriotic holidays.

On Memorial Day, Snyder says, there is usually a service in the chapel. Likewise, there will probably be a ceremony around Nov. 11 to honor veterans, says Robert McQue Sr., the group’s secretary, who served in the National Guard and Army Reserve for 28 years.

For Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Veterans Day, members from the group place flags around the campus. “We put flags in the ground over the entire area—about 300 flags,” he adds.

Flag-raising ceremony
Veterans also serve as ushers during events at the performing arts center, says McQue, who formed the veterans’ chorus at Ann’s Choice. The chorus performed at a Sept. 12 flag-raising ceremony that was part of an event taking place at Erickson communities throughout the country.