ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - A local senior living community honored several of its veteran residents during a ceremony Jan. 29, including a 99-year-old Navy veteran who finally received service medals recognizing his efforts during World War II.

Ivy Park at Laguna Creek, a senior living community, partnered with Sacramento-area nonprofit Veterans Last Patrol to recognize residents who served in the military. The nonprofit works to connect volunteers with veterans, most often those in hospice or senior living care, with a focus on honoring them in the final chapter of life.

The event centered on Donald Russell, a former U.S. Navy chief petty officer who will turn 100 in July. Russell enlisted in 1943 and served as a Landing Ship Tank operator during World War II. During the ceremony, he was presented with a case of long-overdue medals acknowledging his wartime service.

 

Veterans Last Patrol Program Director Barney Diamos, left, addresses the crowd during a Jan. 29 ceremony at Ivy Park at Laguna Creek honoring veteran residents, including World War II veteran Donald Russell. 

Veterans Last Patrol Program Director Barney Diamos spoke to attendees about the legacy of veterans who served in the last world war, referring to them as part of the “greatest generation” before presenting certificates and medals.

“What an incredible, meaningful life that you’ve had if you participated in saving the world from tyranny in the biggest conflict in the history of the world,” Diamos said to Russell before presenting him his medals. “Thank you, Donald; we’re grateful, we love you and we will always appreciate you.”

The ceremony also recognized the memory of another Ivy Park resident, Gerald Skaug, who was scheduled to receive medals but passed away before the event. Skaug was 101 years old and served in the Army as a tank driver in Europe during World War II, including at the Battle of the Bulge.

Jennifer Jimenez, activity director at Ivy Park at Laguna Creek, told the Elk Grove Citizen the community is home to many veterans and has continually made it a point to recognize their service.

She noted the Jan. 29 ceremony marked Ivy Park’s first collaboration with Veterans Last Patrol. The partnership began after the nonprofit organization learned that one resident had never received his World War II medals.

 

Navy veteran Donald Russell, left, and his son, DeWitt Russell, look at the case of service medals awarded to Russell for his World War II service as a Landing Ship Tank operator. 

“I don’t think people really realize that they’re like little superheroes walking amongst us,” Jimenez said.

“I think that today’s celebration, I hope that it spreads joy, information, education; uplifts our community and makes us proud of who we have in our community,” she added.

Russell’s son, DeWitt Russell, attended the ceremony to watch his father receive his medals. He described growing up with a man shaped by service but defined by kindness.

“He was a tough guy, and he did his service, but he was also the nicest, most generous man throughout his life…,” Russell said. “He’s very deserving.” 

 

Local news outlets interview veteran Donald Russell and Veterans Last Patrol Program Director Barney Diamos following the presentation of medals Jan. 29 at Ivy Park at Laguna Creek.

Russell explained that his father did not serve in a combat role but supported the war effort through demanding technical work, repairing ships by hand. The work often required diving underwater to weld and perform other difficult manual labor.

“Everyone in the service, the reason they’re all honored is that they don’t have to be a hero; there were a lot of support jobs that they did that enabled the battles and the war to be won,” Russell said.

In addition to Donald Russell, the following Ivy Park residents received framed certificates of appreciation during the ceremony: Frank Dawkins, Tony Scott, Lowell Crocker, Don Giffay, Charlie Slaton, Richard Woods, Rodney Hanson and Gary Ransom.