PORT ARTHUR — Four military veterans hailing from three different wars and two branches of the military sat together in a gazebo, a fan offering comfort from summer’s blazing heat.

An outdoor thermometer inched to 100 degrees in the shade as the past commanders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4820 of Port Neches met with the newly installed commander on the eve of Independence Day.

Persian Gulf War Navy veteran John Burleigh III assumed the role of commander of the post on June 16. His predecessor, Vietnam War Army veteran Danny Nelligan, along with past commanders World War II Navy veteran Herb Stafford and World War II Army veteran Jim White spoke about history and traded a few good natured jokes.

White explained that Burleigh, as the new commander, is now in possession of the post charter, dated November 1945.

“Two of the men from the original charter are still around,” White said of Charlie Macha and Aubrey Felder.

Burleigh, a history buff, has been part of the post’s Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day ceremonies during Civil War battle reenactments. Burleigh is a member of the Civil War Naval Landing Party and has traced his roots to both union and confederate sides of the Civil War, he said.

Burleigh joined the Navy on April Fool’s Day, 1990 at age of 18, he said. He spent time on different types of aircraft, was a rescue swimmer for a while and was involved in three helicopter crashes.

The first crash occurred near San Diego, he said. A second helicopter sent to rescue him went down and he was eventually rescued by a destroyer. The second incident occurred while in a twin rotor copter over the Mediterranean.

“We were coming back from dropping some Marines off in Bosnia,” Burleigh said of the crash that sent four people into the water.

The third and final crash occurred over the Indian Ocean while searching for a sail boat.

“The copter went down,” he said. “I had to have reconstructive surgery on my right knee.”

Conversation turned to the meaning behind the posting of colors ceremony that is held on special occasions and which members will take part of during the July 4th on Lakeshore event in Port Arthur on Wednesday.

“Usually there are two rifles, the American flag, post colors, prisoner of war flag and Texas flag,” Burleigh said. “It is such an honor to be part of this ceremony. People stand and veterans are allowed to salute whether in uniform or not and others, civilians place their hand over their heart.”

White called the gesture patriotic symbolism.

“It shows we love America and what the flag stands for,” Burleigh said.

mmeaux@panews.com