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Growing up in Wilmington during the World War II years, I always thought how much fun it would be to attend USO dances at Second and Orange streets.

Young servicemen and women came here from Camp Lejeune, Fort Bragg and other active-duty North Carolina military bases for fun and relaxation before possibly being shipped overseas.

Although I was too young to attend the dances, I could visualize all the excitement with soldiers and girls dancing to swing music.

The Wilmington USO is one of only a few still standing in the United States, reminding us that the United Service Organizations was once the principal place for relaxation for millions of service personnel throughout the world.

After these many years, my opportunity to attend a USO function came recently when I was invited by the Marine Corps League, Greater Greensboro Detachment 260.

The invitation read: "You are cordially invited to 'WWII USO Dance - A Special Tribute to our WWII Marines.'"

There was nostalgic World War II music, although I didn't see anyone attempting to do the jitterbug.

Marine Maj. Gregory Wynn, an active-duty Marine stationed in Greensboro, made an inspirational presentation.

"Good evening, warriors!" said Wynn, who serves as the inspector-instructor for the local Marine Reserve unit.

"It is truly an honor and a privilege to be here this evening to recognize our local World War II veterans."

Looking directly at the 25 World War II veterans, Wynn said:

"You all must know, with the possible exception of family, regardless of what you have done in your life, what measure of success you have achieved - the service you have provided to your country and the world during World War II is the most important thing you have done in your life."

Then, he said he had a charge for them - a mission - and told them their role is not over.

He implored these heroes of past wars to tell Americans their stories.

"Do not let this be the last time your memories are rekindled," he said.

"You have the opportunity to make history come alive more than textbooks ever can. Young people need to hear from you - the warriors - who smelled the smells, walked, lived and fought in the great struggle of our times."

Do not be silent, Wynn emphasized again and again. "You owe it to future generations of Americans. Tell, write and record your stories."

Telling their stories, Wynn said, reinforces the values of sacrifice, honor and service to country.

"Civics classes have largely disappeared from school curriculums," Wynn said. "Who is left to reinforce these values? You."

The 25 veterans of World War II and their wives were honored with VIP seating, and the vets were individually presented with memorial medallions by Marine Chief Warrant Officer-5 Timothy Andrew, Greensboro's assistant inspector-instructor, and Marine Corps League Commandant Danny Bracken.

The medallions are round with the World War II Memorial engraved in the background.

Andy Symmes, originally from my hometown of Wilmington but now a resident of Greensboro with his wife, Jeanne, was one of the veterans honored.

He was a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill when he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps.

After boot camp, Symmes was sent to Camp Lejeune for training in field telephone communications.

He was then assigned to the 14th Marines, 4th Marine Division.

He said, "In June 1944, we landed on Saipan and took that island and Tinian."

Symmes was also in the bloody invasion of Iwo Jima in February 1945, where for 36 days, nearly 75,000 US Marines were locked in an epic struggle with 22,000 Japanese troops who were defending, to the last man, that tiny island.

Symmes said he felt lucky to survive and not be wounded during his combat tours in the Pacific.

Those World War II veterans honored were: Lloyd Wilkerson, William Bennett, Robert Ford, William Gibson, Edward Gronzik, Coy Hennis, Howard Kelly, William Kirkman, Michael Kozakewich Sr., Claude McMahan, Charles Monnett Jr., Mary Nicko, Charles Pauquette, Carnie Ritter, Jim Rumley, William Sexton, Curtis Spach, Symmes, Thomas Walker, George Weitzman and William Wood.

Near the end of the evening, Bill Moss, League 260 Commandant 1972-73, discussed The War Memorial Foundation.

Many Triad veterans organizations are participating in creating the Carolina Field

of Honor park, which will be built in Guilford County, Moss said.

As Maj. Gregory Wynn said, "The faces of our World War II veterans, now aged by years, life, struggles and joys, made America and the world safer."

Sure, those of us old enough remember the old USOs, but what we should remember the most and feel most grateful for are our World War II veterans and all other vets and service personnel who have given and continue to give of themselves to preserve our freedom.

Contact Peggy Longmire at 288-9040 or e-mail her at rlongmire@triad.rr.com