A Night With Author Dave Mann

Our guest speaker this week was Dave Mann.  Dave is a World War II veteran and very proud of his service. As he watched society turn its back on our military he felt compelled to do something. He wrote a book titled, “What I Fought For!” With the flag to his left, he told us that he has great respect for the flag. Whenever he sees it, it tugs at his heart. No matter where it is, the flag brings back memories.

He was just shy of his eighteenth birthday and a freshman at the University of New Hampshire when he got his letter from the draft board. he was deployed in November of 1943 and served under General George Patton. He was at the Battle of the Bulge and was the only man who survived a hit on his unit. 

Dave shared a few stories from his days overseas and a few more from his early days after the war. The point was that the men who fought in World War II are dying at a rate of 800 a day. They fought because they love our country. If we know a vet, Dave asked us to take the time and listen to their stories. They have something to teach us and we have something to learn.

President Doug presented Dave with a book to sign which will be donated to the Westerly Children’s Library. After the meeting Dave stayed to autograph some copies of his book.