WWII Veterans Honored at Woman’s Club

By Beverly Biber

PHOTO: Beverly Biber | SouthPasadenan.com | WWII veterans from South Pasadena helped with Operation Cookie earlier this year. L-r, Marshall St. John (Marines), John Genovese (Naval Air Force) Wendell Hanson (Navy), Vincent Sugar (Army) and Al Gonzales (Air Force) Several were special guests at the Club's November meeting

The November luncheon meeting of the Woman’s Club of South Pasadena paid tribute to veterans and was highlighted by three special World War II guests:  John Genovese, 93, of the U.S. Naval Air Force, Marshall St. John, 90, of the U.S. Marines, and Joan Moffet, 93 a WWII Army nurse.  .Luncheon guests enthusiastically welcomed the veterans and took the opportunity to meet and thank members of the “Greatest Generation”.

PHOTO: Beverly Biber | SouthPasadenan.com | Club members, standing Renee Newman; Sally Ehrheart, MaryCox (Club President) Toni Marshall, and Sheila Ananeh-Firempong, expressed their appreciation and thanks to WWII veterans seated: Joan Moffet, John Genovese, and Marshall St. John

Each veteran briefly  recounted their experiences during WWII and told guests about their careers following the service.  Genovese, who has lived in California for 90 years, studied engineering at PCC and LA Trade Tech and worked for several firms in the area, including at Braun, Parsons and Aero Jet Corpoation.   St. John, a native of Washington, graduated from Washington State and had a long career as a TV news reporter in the Seattle and Tacoma area. He has been in  California for 5 years and currently serves as a crossing guard for Marengo school.  Joan Moffet was in the nursing field for many years and worked at several area hospitals before raising her family in South Pasadena.  Joan proudly noted that she participated in several Polio Vaccine clinics held at the Clubhouse in the 1950’s

PHOTO: Beverly Biber | SouthPasadenan.com | Club member, Marianna Adams, who helped coordinate the special Veterans Day program for the club, talks with Marshall St. John

Luncheon guests were also entertained by pianist, Dennis Aguilar,  who played  a medley of songs associated with various branches of the military including the Navy’s  “Anchors Aweigh”, “The Army Goes Rolling Along “ and the “Marine Hymm – The Halls of Montezuma.”

- Advertisement -
PHOTO: Beverly Biber | SouthPasadenan.com | Joan Moffet and John Genovese became acquainted during the luncheon and shared some of their WWII experiences