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It was my first military reunion, but for the men of the 737th Tank Battalion, it was their 61st consecutive get-together since World War II. A church friend and work buddy were president and secretary respectively - that explains my being there.

I happened to have with me a notebook and camera - that explains my being the unofficial reunion reporter and photographer. Of course, I should have abstained, but when appointed and announced from the podium, abstentions are difficult.

Daniel Willis was seated at the nearest table when the announcement was made. The owner of a Hatteras marina and other business interests, Willis and his wife Mildred were gracious, kind and complicit with my charade as a reporter and photographer.

"Yeah, I was a tank driver as long as the tanks lasted," Willis said. "Four were shot out from under me and two more burned up. I sure was glad the Army didn't make me pay for them."

When asked if he suffered injuries in any of these mishaps, he replied, "Nothing all that serious." I asked if he might have earned any personal awards. "Yes," he replied.

Sensing I was short on reporting skills and Willis was long on heroism, Mildred helped us all out, "He was awarded five Bronze Stars and a Silver Star to go with two Purple Hearts!"

Willis is 85. He and Mildred have been married 62 years.

At the next table, I met Jack Pritchard, from Guntersville, Ala.

"I was drafted during my senior year in high school and drove a tank retriever from Normandy to Austria," he said.

Pritchard cleared the fog for me, describing a tank retriever "as a 'biggie' wrecker, on a Kenworth chassis, capable of hauling or moving most anything."

After the war, Pritchard finished high school and attended the University of Alabama. He became an engineer for NASA in Huntsville, Ala., and retired after 31 years of service.

As do all the Tanker veterans, Pritchard downplayed his service, "The tanks did the fighting, you know!"

Jim Pilley was a combat recon photographer. He drove Jeeps instead of tanks. Gen. Patton's vehicle once pulled up alongside, whereupon Pilley asked the General, "Why can't I have a windshield and top on my Jeep and stay warm like the Tankers do?"

The reply came basically in bleeps, but left no doubt the General thought much more highly of tanks and tank drivers than Jeeps and Jeep drivers.

"My job was to take photos of the terrain before our tanks advanced to a forward area," Pilley said. "I shot for 299 days but never saw a single photo after it had been developed!"

Pilley lived in Virginia Beach for more than 50 years, retired from Sears, Roebuck and Co. and now lives in Minnesott Beach.

Another Jim was at the next table, Jim Beal, of Faith. I didn't know then, but I do now; Faith is near Rockwell and Granite Quarry, and the first President Bush visited there on one of Faith's world-famous July Fourth celebrations.

Beal, a tank driver, was wounded while clearing enemy pillboxes when crossing the Moselle River. He was recuperating in a hospital in England when the war ended.

After the war, he farmed and worked for Southern Railroad.

Known as Patton's Spearheaders, the 737th fought through Normandy, St. Lo, Mortain, Battle of the Bulge, Ruhr Valley and into Austria. These locations were mentioned during a time of prayer for those who survived. A time of silence memorialized those who did not survive.

During the 61 years of reunions, lawyers, preachers, politicians and veterans have made keynote speeches. This year's address was given by Maj. Gregory Wynn, commanding officer of the Greensboro Marine Corps Reserve Unit.

Wynn's theme for the 737th: "Continue to tell us your story; make history come alive!" He mentioned our nation's problem with short memories, stressing some have already forgotten 9/11. "Soon, generations will grow into adulthood, not knowing a single World War II veteran," he said.

While Wynn addressed 40 surviving Tankers and profusely thanked them for their service, more than 100 appreciative and respectful family members and friends cheered and applauded.

Newling Richey was a tank mechanic and Leo Showfety, a tank driver. Several stories of their service to our country have appeared in these pages. Both men spent all their peacetime years in Greensboro. Their hard work and dedication led to an unforgettable 61st Reunion of Patton's Spearheaders.

So much more could be mentioned, not the least of which would be Wynn coming to Greensboro while on leave.

Before the Tankers left Greensboro, they may have read about a 'food not bombs' group - self-described anarchists, who are doing an admirable chore toward feeding the needy.

This group should especially appreciate the 737th Tank Battalion!

Who often went without food.

Who used and defended against real bombs.

Who could not use Central Library when it was cold, snowing and surrounded by Germans firing real bullets.

But who fought with their lives to preserve the right for 'food not bombs' anarchists to freely express themselves.

Harry Thetford retired as store manager of Sears Friendly Center in 1990. He and his wife Martha enjoy Rv'ing and have three children and seven grandchildren. Contact him at Htthetford@aol.com.