Some 240 World War II veterans attended Kathryn Carver’s appreciation luncheon last September. She hopes for more than that Nov. 8.

Carver, founder of “Service for Service,” a local agency focused on recognizing, honoring and assisting military veterans, believes so much is owed the nation’s “greatest generation” and so little time remains to honor them.

Her plans for this year are well under way with commitments from a number of local individuals and agencies. However, the 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. luncheon at VFW Post 665 in Warner Robins still needs sponsors and donations.

“We will accept money, door prizes, anything,” she said Thursday morning. “We’re hoping for enough sponsors because we never charge our World War II vets for anything.”

Carver’s passion to honor veterans was spurred months ago when she visited a local nursing home. She was asking some of the residents if they were World War II veterans. The stories she heard touched her heart, particularly those from one veteran named Benjamin.

“The stories he told me were just so amazing and patriotic,” Carver told local media. “I told him something should be done to honor veterans and he just said, ‘Do something.’”

Since that encounter, she founded “Service for Service,” worked tirelessly to promote last year’s luncheon and to sponsor a local visit by “The Moving Wall,” a replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The November luncheon will be festive and meaningful. “Thank you” cards from local elementary school children will adorn the tables. Uniformed ROTC cadets from five local high schools will be serving and assisting. Four active-duty general officers and one admiral – representing all the military branches – will be sharing their thoughts. The Heart of Georgia Barbershop Choir will sing during the luncheon.

But the keynote speaker will be Helen Denton who was Gen. Eisenhower’s secretary and the person who typed the D-Day order prior to the pivotal storming of the Normandy beaches of France in 1944.

“She’s 91 years old,” Carver noted, “but she’s sharp as a tack.”

Curtis Photography of Warner Robins will again be offering complimentary photos of World War II vets.

“They did that last year and it was so touching,” Carver said. “Some of the family members said it was the last photograph they have of their loved one.”

Carver’s office phone is (478) 225-5926. Her cell is (478) 955-1687.