The Commons at Brightmore of Wilmington Honors WWII Veterans on 80th Anniversary of the End of the War

WILMINGTON, N.C.-The Commons at Brightmore of Wilmington recently paid tribute to three of its cherished residents who served in World War II, marking the 80th anniversary of the war’s end with a heartfelt ceremony of gratitude and remembrance.

Two of the veterans had attended an official anniversary commemoration hosted by the WWII Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition at the Hannah Block USO Center. Recognizing that one resident was unable to participate, the team at The Commons organized a special on-site event to ensure all three men were honored together, surrounded by friends, family, and fellow residents. The event was coordinated by Activities Director Tanya Langley.

Brightmore of Wilmington senior living community offers independent living that supports a vibrant lifestyle for active seniors. The Kempton and The Commons, both located on-site, provide assisted living and memory care

Lt. Col. Rick Paxton of the Civil Air Patrol, Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, attended the ceremony at The Commons to present a commendation to resident Tech Sergeant Theodore “Ted” Pyck, who had been unable to attend the earlier public event. Paxton, a frequent guest of the veterans at The Commons, has long been a supporter of honoring their service through meaningful programs and recognition.

Adding to the occasion, local author and historian Rona Simmons, and Luke Basso, who is currently leading a project to record and preserve veterans’ stories, shared moving accounts of each man’s service. Residents listened with admiration as the legacies of these extraordinary servicemen were retold:

Tech Sergeant Harold Elton Bly, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force – Bly enlisted at just 16, claiming to be 17, and served aboard the USS Haynsworth. After the war, he reenlisted in the Air Force, serving for an additional 11 years.
Lieutenant William Rippy, U.S. Navy – Accepted to Duke Medical School, Rippy’s plans were altered when the Navy denied his release. He served while completing his medical training, practiced at Walter Reed Army Hospital, and helped establish a military examining station at Ft Bragg before his discharge in 1952.
Tech Sergeant Theodore Pyck, U.S. Army Air Corps – Pyck registered for the draft in 1942 before enlisting in the Army Air Corps. He supported base operations at airfields, handling personnel, supplies, transportation, and administration.

Today, these veterans are 98, 102, and 103 years old. According to Tanya, only about 0.5 percent of WWII veterans are still living. “Our goal is to honor our brave veterans every day and to thank them for their service,” she said. “One of our veterans once shared that the official ceremonies are wonderful, but it’s the small, unexpected thank-yous and conversations sparked by his veteran’s hat that mean the most. That inspired us to create this program and ensure their stories continue to be heard.”

The Commons at Brightmore is dedicated to honoring our veterans. We believe that by sharing and preserving their stories, we ensure they are remembered for generations to come.

The Commons at Brightmore hosts a major recognition program each Veterans Day, but this 80th anniversary event reflected the community’s daily commitment to honor the men and women who have worn the uniform.