While Snyder thought he was headed to the post to participate in its Veterans Day celebration, he was surprised to be seated at the hall’s head table as the guest of honor, alongside American Legion officers and veterans of several wars, as the post’s hall was full with many well-wishers.

Snyder’s achievements as a veteran and a community member were highlighted by those who spoke during the ceremony, with officers commending him as a veteran of “special note and special interest” who is an “exceptional man, an exceptional veteran and a humanitarian.”

The post’s members and officers honored Snyder for his service through the ceremony, where he was presented with a proclamation from the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as a flag that had been flown at the United States Capitol building in his honor.

“We have a flag that flew over the capital of the country in his name, we have a proclamation from the (U.S.) House of Representatives that was put in the official record and we’re going to be reading that. It talks about his personal history and his dedication to the United States of America as a true war hero. He is part of the greatest generation,” said Stephen Olsen, American Legion Post 114 officer.

American Legion Officer Stephen Olsen, left, presents World War II veteran John Snyder, center, with a proclamation at a surprise ceremony held in honor of Snyder Sunday at the American Legion Post 114 in Greenwood Location. (Journal photo by Cecilia Brown)

During the ceremony, Olsen read from the two proclamations that were presented in honor of Snyder, sharing the words of U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman with the audience.

“On this Veterans Day weekend, it is my honor to recognize the life of John Snyder as a proud veteran of the Second World War and an upstanding member of his community,” Olsen said, reading from the Nov. 9 proclamation from the U.S. House of Representatives.

“John is an indispensable part of Michigan’s first district. John served in the United States Navy as a pilot from 1940 to 1945, from before the attack on Pearl Harbor to when we reached the shores of Japan.

“He served as a flight instructor and a flight leader, never losing a pilot under his command,” Olsen continued. “During the island-hopping campaign, John flew throughout the South Pacific on his Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter and shot down several enemy aircraft over the course of the war. As an officer with several decorations, John is proud of his military service and enjoys sharing his experience with others. For the United States, World War II was a turning point. As citizens, we found strength in common purpose, found the ties that bound us together and displayed the impenetrable force of American democracy. Over 400,000 American lives were lost, lives given in defense of freedom. We owe John and his brothers in arms an enormous amount of gratitude.”

Snyder smiled throughout the ceremony as the proclamations were presented and his fellow veterans honored him.

A cake made for a recognition ceremony in honor of Snyder is shown. (Journal photos by Cecilia Brown)

Overall, Snyder said he was honored to receive the proclamations and noted his appreciation for the service of his fellow veterans.

“It was critical what we did over there, but I think military people … now are doing a greater service than I ever did. I do believe that,” Snyder.

Following the ceremony, Snyder was congratulated by many of the event’s attendees, shaking hands and speaking with many well-wishers.

The significance of honoring a World War II veteran on Veterans Day and the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I was noted by many attendees, who were glad to have the opportunity to recognize Snyder’s service and meet him.

“This is a perfect setting for the fact that we’re honoring persons on Veterans (Day) and here we are, honoring a person all the way back to the Second World War that deserved it, an outstanding record he had while being a Navy pilot,” said VFW Post Trustee Tom Stanaway, who attended the ceremony and sat at the head table along with Snyder.

Proclamations that were presented to John Snyder, a 95-year-old World War II veteran, are displayed alongside a photo of Snyder from his time in the service during the 1940s. (Journal photo by Cecilia Brown)