In November, Edgemere residents, families, and guests came together for two deeply meaningful traditions to celebrate the military service of the many veterans who live at the Dallas’s premier senior living community. The month began with a panel that gave residents the chance to hear personal stories directly from their neighbors. The celebration then continued on November 11 with Edgemere’s highly attended Veterans Day Tribute, an emotional evening ceremony that brought active-duty Marines, young recruits, and hundreds of Dallas-area veterans together under one roof.
Edgemere is home to two admirals, a colonel, and a former Blue Angel, as well as veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
Sharing Stories at the Veterans Panel
The November 4 panel featured three remarkable Edgemere residents whose candor, humor, and insight captivated the audience.
1st Lieutenant Ben Alvord, U.S. Army Reserve, was born in 1929 and enlisted at seventeen. “The reason I gave my parents was that I got the GI bill,” he said. “The real reason is I was fed up with school.” Sent to Korea before the war officially began, he recalled hiking above the 38th parallel at a time when the border was little more than a rusty sign. He was then discharged and started school, but was recalled after the war began, and spent time in Japan receiving advanced technical training. His role involved early IBM punch-card technology used to track more than 60,000 troops.
A graduate of the Air Force Academy, Captain Scott Bohner, a U.S. Air Force aviator and Vietnam War veteran, trained in Texas at Big Spring/Webb Air Force Base before flying C-123 aircraft in Vietnam. He described early missions designed to strip foliage so that troops could more easily detect enemy movement. The work required precision, discipline, and constant awareness. His recollections painted a vivid picture of the responsibility young pilots shouldered in wartime.
Lt. Col. Don Munson, U.S. Army Cavalry Officer and Vietnam War veteran, was commissioned after graduating from Tulane. He served 22 years, including a year in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division. He was wounded in action and awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Purple Heart. One of his most memorable accounts described a mission along the coast in which he volunteered to act as a lone blocking force — a bold tactical choice that ultimately led to the capture of several enemy fighters. To this day, he still exchanges Christmas cards with some members of the unit he led.
A Veterans Day Program That Unites Generations
Just one week later, on November 11, the community gathered for Edgemere’s annual Veterans Day Tribute. As the U.S. Marine Corps raised the colors and “Taps” echoed through the room, families and friends stood shoulder to shoulder in quiet reflection. A soloist performed each branch’s song. The evening ended with toasts to each military branch and a final salute delivered by Edgemere’s oldest veteran.
During the event, KRLD interviewed several residents whose stories added depth and richness to the tribute. Among them was retired Navy Admiral Tim Beard, who reflected on the shared bond among all who served. “I have met people from all walks of life, some really high rollers,” says retired Air Force Admiral Tim Beard. “But all of them who put on a uniform are patriots. The men here and a couple ladies wore a uniform for some time, and they’re proud of it.”
Major Bill Nickell, now 104, also spoke with KRLD. He joined the Army Air Corps cadet program after graduating from high school. He went to basic training and began his service in March of 1945, two months before VE Day and five months before VJ Day. He then spent 20 years in the reserves. “All my service was state-side, unfortunately or fortunately,” he said. “I did not see combat. I must have been where I was supposed to be because that’s where I was. I’m very thankful for all my life and career in the military.”
A Remarkable Community Full of Remarkable People
Living alongside Edgemere’s veterans are artists, executives, educators, physicians, world travelers, entrepreneurs, and other neighbors with fascinating stories. For those seeking an engaging, elegant, and welcoming senior living community filled with people who have led remarkable lives — and who continue to find purpose and connection each day — Edgemere offers something truly special.
To schedule a tour of the community’s beautiful Preston Hollow campus and meet the people who make it exceptional, visit https://edgemerelife.com/contact-us/ or call 214-265-9100.