By Perry Schaible
Enquirer contributor

HAMILTON - Harry Shell, 81, carefully tugged an old black and white photograph from his green blazer Sunday.

Members of a color guard, veterans and law enforcement salute during the National Anthem at a Veterans luncheon at the Hamiltonian Hotel in Hamilton Sunday. Top center is Frank Bates of Fairfield Twp., a former POW from the Battle of the Bulge in WW II. (Craig Ruttle photo)

The photo depicted a harrowing experience Shell had in World War II, when the Army Air Corps veteran was a tail gunner on a bomber nicknamed the Silver Queen.

"See the black spots in the background," he said pointing to anti-aircraft bursts in the sky. "That's where they were trying to shoot us down ... all we could do was fly right through it."

The Hamilton resident's story was one of hundreds of memories shared Sunday at the Hamiltonian Hotel during Operation Heroes II, a luncheon held to honor Butler County's World War II veterans.

The program was the second of its kind in a month.

Organizers were so overwhelmed by the 600 people who attended the first event in December that a second program was planned to accommodate 75 people who were turned away.

As many as 100 more people were turned away from the luncheon Sunday, said Rhonda Freeze, director of the Butler County Bicentennial Committee which hosted the event with the Butler County Veterans Service Commission.

In total, 530 World War II veterans have been recognized at the luncheons.

"We're grateful for all veterans, those who serve today and those who served yesterday," Butler County Commissioner Michael Fox told the crowd. "But today, we're particularly grateful for you, because if not for you, we would not have the blessing of living in the greatest country that God has ever allowed to exist on earth."

Jim Conyers, 79, of Fairfield, wore his Army Allied Airborne uniform.

Across the table sat Ruth Cole, 73, also of Fairfield, and a neighbor Conyers never knew. Cole came with her two daughters in memory of her husband Clifford, an Army veteran who died four years ago.

"The event also gave the veterans an opportunity to respond to a recent proposal by Republican Sen. Scott Nein to re-name the Michael Fox Regional Highway the Butler Veterans Highway.

"I think it's a good idea because like (Fox) said, we're the greatest generation that ever lived. We saved the world from going down the drain," said Elliot Farmer, 81, of Fairfield.

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