‘The gift of community’

VFW planning 103rd birthday celebration for islander Reipel

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Not many World War II veterans remain standing today, however, islander Wilbur Reipel of St James City is approaching his 103rd birthday Tom Ferguson, a lifetime member of the VFW, thought a birthday celebration to commemorate Reipel’s life and service would be just the right way to say thank you and congratulations

Ferguson said anyone and everyone who would like to take part in the celebration is invited to the Pine Island VFW Friday, May 12, at noon

“It’s important to recognize that we’re losing World War II veterans at a fast pace,” he said last week “They are a part of the 'Greatest Generation' and we’re losing that generation It’s important to recognize what they did what was asked of them and what they stood up and did It’s a legend that our generation and the future generations can learn from When your nation calls when you see a world at war, you stand up and answer that call Wilbur did,” Ferguson said

Schedule of activities:

11 a m -- Parade attendees meet at the VFW Post 4353

11:30 a m -- Head to staging area at Wilbur Reipel's house

12 p m -- Start parade, proceed to the VFW via Pine Island Elementary School to for student tribute

1 p m -- Arrive at VFW to begin celebration, welcome by commander

According to Ferguson, Pine Island Pizza, Mission Barbeque, Winn-Dixie and Publix have all agreed to provide food There will be escorts from the Cape Coral VFW, the Sheriff’s Department as well as the

See REIPEL, page 16

An Iwo Jima flag raising photo provided by Roland Ruocco, an artist who will paint this image as a mural on the wall of the VFW does develop Sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic are much warmer than normal, so if a robust El Nino does not develop, the potential still exists for a busy Atlantic hurricane season ”

CSU researches stated that when waters in the eastern and central tropical and subtropical Atlantic are warmer than normal, it tends to force a weaker subtropical high and associated weaker winds blowing across the tropical Atlantic

“These conditions lead to warmer waters in the tropi-

See HURRICANES, page 16