"I was in the battle of Iwo Jima. I was a mortar platoon leader and a rifle platoon leader. I was a second lieutenant," said Dick Johnstone, 84, a native of Waltham. "I was the kid officer in my company. I was the youngest of seven original officers. Of the seven officers, three were killed, three were wounded and I was the seventh and I was hit with a piece of shrapnel."
Last night, over dinner and drinks, Johnstone reminisced about his glory days as co-captain of the 1939 class of Waltham High School football team and his role on the battlefield in World War II.
Johnstone was one of 59 veterans who attended an appreciation dinner at American Legion Post 156 on Waverly Oaks Road.
"I was able to survive where we lost so many of our men," he said. "I'm just a very lucky person."
Like Johnstone, other veterans shared their memories of World War II over a serving of Spam, part of the first course.
Waltham resident and Purple Heart recipient Carl Mula, 86, spoke about his experience flying B-24 bombers during the war.
Mula recalled his first mission as if it were yesterday.
"We dropped bombs in France and Germany. I was stationed in England. My first mission was to Munich, Germany," he said. "It took us five hours to get over there and five hours to get back. It was 45 degrees below zero up there and we were at 22 to 25 thousand feet. That was the altitude. We were going over Holland and going through Belgium and we got hit by fighters."
After the battle, Mula said he crash landed his plane. He was eventually discharged on Aug. 15, 1945, the day the Japanese surrendered.
Former Waltham Police Department Capt. John Benson also took part in the ceremonies. Benson, 79, was a five-time commander of the post.
"I think it's very important to honor World War II veterans simply because of the fact this was a war we were defending our country in. We didn't ask for it," he said. "The children today don't really realize what these gentleman did. They showed that you don't mess with the U.S."
The dinner was organized by Jack Real.
"I have a lot of respect for these guys who gave up so much for us," he said. "The vets you see here are members of this post. There are 150 active members still in this post."
Walter Hoyt, director of veterans services for the city, gave a speech after the meal was served.
"The stories of those who fought the bitter and brutal fight and then returned home to their families and went about their lives, as if it were no big deal, are today still sources of great inspiration to all of us," he said.
"To answer the call to duty, to return without a complaint, with no second guessing, no protests, World War II testifies to the spirit and sacrifice of what we know was the greatest generation."
The dinner also included appearances by Mayor Jeannette McCarthy, a plaque presented from the City Council by Ward 7 city Councilor Joseph Giordanao Jr. and swing music by local band Soft Touch, whichrehearses at the post once a week.
"It's our honor and privilege to be here," said Steve Lydon, a Waltham firefighter and saxophone player in the band. "The music we play is actually a tribute to the greatest generation."
