Richard Parise of Steubenville was among the veterans who attended Thursday’s Christmas party for those veterans who are residing in area nursing homes.

STEUBENVILLE — Christmas and veterans. They are two reasons why Americans should stop and take a moment to pause and reflect what each has done for us.

And on Thursday, that is exactly what a group of local women chose to do.

Those with the American Legion Post 33 Ladies Auxiliary Unit held their annual Christmas party for area veterans currently residing in nursing homes.

According to President Cindy Longwell, the members simply want to ensure that these veterans know and understand they have not been forgotten.

Not for a moment.

Emerly Ayers was among the fourth-grade pupils from Wells Academy who sang for nursing home veterans during their annual Christmas Party at the American Legion.

Longwell, along with sergeant-at-arms Dorothy Mazik, explained the auxiliary has been hosting Christmas parties for nursing home veterans for approximately 13 years.

The group was forced to cancel their celebration in 2020 and 2021, however, because there was a need for social distancing from COVID.

Mazik stated she and her husband Ken, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, always try to do whatever they can for fellow veterans.

The auxiliary’s party at the American Legion on North Fifth Street, is just one way in which Mazik is able to give back and express her appreciation for their service.

The attendees were veterans who reside in any of the nine local nursing homes, Longwell commented. However, only three of the nine facilities were able to attend this year’s holiday event.

The Ladies Auxiliary Unit of the American Legion Post 33 held their annual holiday party for nursing home veterans on Thursday. The women prepared lunch for the veterans in attendance.

She noted Country Club Manor, the Meadows of Cadiz and the Carriage Inn of Steubenville were able to make it to the party. Others either had previous engagements or could not get the transportation required to get there.

Mazik added the frigid temperatures also caused some veterans to have to remain indoors.

That left the party’s attendance at approximately 19 veterans, Longwell said.

“We usually have around 50 or more who come,” she said.

The veterans arrived at the Legion on buses.

Members of the Fun Time Dancers entertained those in attendance at the American Legion Post 33 Ladies Auxiliary Unit's Christmas celebration for veterans living in nursing homes throughout the area.

Some used a walker for added assistance, some, a wheelchair.

Yet, they managed to get there — one way or another — to help celebrate the Christmas season with others.

But despite the smaller group at this year’s party, the afternoon had quite a large gathering.

Members of the Steubenville Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department were among the guests seated around the tables inside the decorated hall.

Among them, was Steubenville Police Capt. Joe Buchmelter.

The Wells Academy Choir consisting of fourth-grade pupils, entertained the audience at Thursday's Christmas party at the American Legion on North Fifth Street in Steubenville.

“It’s important that everybody recognizes and honors our veterans who served in America’s Armed Forces,” Buchmelter commented.

“From the time we wake up in the morning, until the time we go to bed at night, we owe everything we have, all of our freedoms we enjoy, because of these men and women,” he added.

Buchmelter’s sentiments were felt by other guests as well, those who felt the need to be there with them for those few hours, rather than be anywhere else in the world.

That included those who perform with the Fun Time Dancers, one of two entertainment groups who performed for veterans on Thursday.

When Steubenville resident Emma Anderson was asked why she and her dance group chose to be a part of this year’s celebration, her reply was simple … summed up in just three words: “For the veterans.”

There was no other response ­– none was needed.

The men and women in the Fun Time Dancers wanted to do something to give back to the ones who have given so much for them, she explained.

The group travels throughout the area and beyond to entertain those who reside in nursing homes, go to local senior centers and attend fairs and festivals.

They had just visited a nursing home and performed for its residents in Beaver County, she said.

Their purpose is to make others happy through dance, and that is exactly what they did for those at the legion.

The nine members line danced to “Jingle Bell Rock,” did the cha-cha to “Feliz Navidad,” asked for a sing-a-long during a routine to “Jingle Bells” and concluded their performance to the tune “Have A Holly Jolly Christmas.”

Veteran John Olexa joined in the line dancing for the first song, showing those in attendance that despite one’s age, there is a love for music in all of us.

That sentiment rings true for the members of the dance troupe, as Anderson noted the youngest member of the group is 70.

She proudly exclaimed she is now 85 and hasn’t stopped dancing since the age of 2.

Its members donned Christmas attire, including Santa sweaters, blinking multi-colored necklaces and lighted Santa hats and glasses.

Each wanted to share their joy of the holiday with the nursing home veterans in attendance.

Members of the Fun Time Dancers include Leona Kulis, Dave and Judy Galbraith, Sylvia Benzo, Anderson, Shirley Walshan, Karen Wansack and Marilyn Tarr.

Each member resides in a different city, including Follansbee, Steubenville, Toronto and Mingo Junction.

Yet, they all come together and serve as one unit when needed.

“Our group is very devoted to God and country,” Anderson stated, noting there is nowhere the group would have rather been than there, with the veterans as they celebrated the holiday with one another.

Legion social member Virginia “Virg” Moran was dancing right along the Fun Time Dancers.

One might have mistook her for a member, had they not known better.

Her joyous dancing was infectious.

Wearing a Christmas sweater, elf hat, Christmas bling jewelry and extra large holiday glasses, she mingled with everyone in attendance.

She also volunteered to pass out candy canes alongside Santa Claus.

Thursday’s audience enjoyed not only a performance by the line-dancing group, but had the opportunity to hear several musical selections performed by fourth-graders at Wells Academy.

Led under the direction of music teacher Glory Dami, the children expressed their love of being able to sing for the veterans.

Dami explained the children love being able to give back to the community.

Dami expressed how the students enjoy being able to spread their holiday cheer with others.

She noted the children love the chance to sing and share the songs that they will be performing in their upcoming program at the school with others within the community, especially for veterans, she said.

Among some of the iconic Christmas selections that were sung to those at the legion were “Marshmallow World,” “Up on the Housetop” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

The songs included the use of gestures and expressions, which made each piece a memorable one.

Nine-year-old Ainsley Clutter stated, “We are happy to be doing this for the veterans. We just want to share our joy with others this Christmas.”

Once the children had finished with their performance, each received the opportunity to visit Santa Claus.

Some chose to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas, and all were able to shake his hand, say hi and receive a candy cane from Moran.

Santa, who was adorned in his striking red suit and famous red and white hat, sat on the stage throughout the event.

Upon the choir leaving to return to school, Buchmelter took the opportunity to thank each and every child who passed by as they headed outdoors to get on their bus.

He tapped each on the shoulder and told them, “Good job.” Or “Sounded great!”

The gesture made every child feel appreciated for coming and singing for others.

Following the two entertainment groups, the auxiliary women presented the day’s luncheon.

Members had prepared a homemade meal consisting of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and a holiday cake.

Texas Roadhouse made a donation of its homemade rolls and cinnamon butter to the auxiliary for the occasion, Mazik noted.

Auxiliary members then took the time to fix each individual a plate of food and delivered it to everyone in attendance.

They had worked on preparing the meal since early that morning.

All of the leftovers were expected to be taken to the Friendship Room, officials noted.

The Friendship Room is located on Logan Avenue in Steubenville and helps to feed those within the community who are hungry.

Once the ladies auxiliary had determined no one else needed anything additional, they finally took a small break themselves.

Each took a moment to enjoy a quick lunch of their own.

Members hurried through their meal in order to make sure there was ample time to distribute the holiday gift bags that were presented to each veteran who was able to make it to the party.

The gift bags contained new pajamas, a warm blanket, crayons and coloring books, Mazik stated.

“It’s fun being here,” Army veteran Richard Parise replied when asked if he was enjoying his first Christmas party at the legion.

Parise is a Steubenville resident who graduated from Steubenville High School.

He served as a radio operator in the Army for three years.

Parise explained he spent most of his days in the service over in Germany, following the war, as the country was still rebuilding, he noted.

Following his return home, Parise reflected on how he worked in various bakeries, including mentioning how he used to make buns for Colonel Sanders until the company went out of business.

He said he then moved to the Columbus area where he worked for the Wonder Bread Co.

But with only a short time to go until he was able to reach his retirement, that company also closed its doors, he added.

It was then he decided to move back to Steubenville in order to be closer to his family.

Parise said he does not have any children but has some family here in the Steubenville area still.

He has been at the Carriage House in Steubenville for the past three or four years, although he couldn’t remember exactly how long he been a resident at the nursing home.

This was the first time Parise has had the chance to attend one of the Legion’s Christmas celebrations.

“It was an enjoyable event,” he exclaimed. “It was kind of nice to get to listen to a little music and meet other people.”

“It’s really nice that they are doing this for us,” Parise continued. “That they appreciate what we did. And I was glad to be able to do it for them.”

Bob Peckens grew up in the Gem City.

The 90-year-old graduated in the top 10 of his class at Toronto High School and worked as an electrician at TIMET.

He has been at the Meadows of Cadiz for approximately a year, saying he has met some very nice men who have been through the service, as well.

Peckens said he is happy to have another year in which to celebrate Christmas.

He explained when one joins the military, they “never know if they are going to make it or not.”

“If God brings us through it and we can come home and celebrate in a country that is free — that we have a government that supports us, that’s worth everything,” he added.

Peckens served in the Navy during World War II.

He said he was on the aircraft carrier Antietam, the second Navy ship to bear the name and named for the American Civil War battle.

“We had a lot of brave men,” he said.

Peckens commented he wanted to enlist in the Air Force, as he was a pilot in civilian life.

However, he said during the time they were taking men, one had to have a year of college in order to enlist in that branch.

And he had only been in the top 10 in high school and never went to college.

So he joined the Navy. Serving in the military just as his uncles and other family members had.

Peckens noted he is grateful to the Legion’s auxiliary for hosting the party, as there was “really good food” and a chance to be with others who truly appreciated veterans and all they sacrificed for America.

Longwell stated it is the auxiliary’s hope to help additional veterans next Christmas.

She said members are contemplating the idea of being able to include at the party disabled veterans who still live at home. If there is a possibility to do so, an announcement will be made next year.

“We really want to thank all of the businesses who donated to help us out with this event,” Mazik concluded.

The list included Naples Spaghetti House, Pittera Pizza, Everhart-Bove Funeral Home, Wheeler Funeral Home, Hillsboro Grill and Tavern, Texas Roadhouse, Mosti Funeral Home and Froehlich’s Classic Corner.