WWII vet, 93, receives Senate citation

NORTH ANDOVER — After Sen. Bruce Tarr presented J. Paul Stillwell with a citation from the Senate to thank him for his service during World War II, Stillwell joked about his time in the military, which included many months as a prisoner of war.

"The 15 or 20 pounds I lost has returned," Stillwell announced with his wry sense of humor, eliciting a round of appreciative laughter. "I want to thank you for remembering ... but some parts of it (the war) I didn't appreciate too much."

Tarr, R-Gloucester, dropped by the Edgewood Retirement Community in North Andover on Wednesday to honor Stillwell, 93, for his service to his country. Stillwell has been a resident of Edgewood for about 12 years. 

Tarr was invited by Joseph Leblanc, veterans services officer for North Andover and Boxford, who arranged for Edgewood to throw a luncheon party to honor Stillwell.

Guests included one of Stillwell's three children, Leslie Ganley of Andover, and Stillwell's three grandchildren, Michele Stillwell-Parvensky of Oakland, California, Rose Ganley of Lowell, and Julia Ganley of Andover.

Before Leblanc introduced Tarr, he asked everyone to stand up to say the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Stillwell, who was nursing a leg injury, stood tall and with tears welling up in his eyes put his hand over his heart, just like he's been doing since he was a kid growing up in Midwest.

Reading from Stillwell's military discharge papers, Leblanc said Stillwell enlisted in the U.S. Army in June, 1943, and served in the Rhineland and Central European Campaign, earning the Victory Medal American Theater Ribbon with two bronze Battle Stars, as well as the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars.

"What is not written is that Cpl. Stillwell was captured by German forces in Germany in 1944," Leblanc said. "He spent the balance of the war as a prisoner of war, returning home the 17th of June, 1945."

Tarr told the crowd that Thanksgiving is a time to be count all the blessings in life. 

Looking directly at Stillwell, Tarr said that many of the blessings we have are attributable to the people who serve and have served in our armed forces.

"The fact that we have liberty and democracy and justice for all, things that are the envy of the rest of the world, we have, Paul, because of people like you who when the time came, stood tall, put on a uniform, swore an oath to our country and went to face some of the most horrendous things people can face.

"Your service was remarkable," Tarr added, noting Stillwell endured hardship and suffering as a prisoner of war. "Thanks for, and to you."

Tarr presented the citation to Stillwell, who briefly talked about his service to his country, and expressed appreciation for having received a college education paid for by the government.

"I was out of the service early and got a generous GI bill," Stillwell said, adding that "politicians aren't all bad."

The room erupted in laughter, and Tarr responded with an appreciative, "Thank you."

While holding the Senate citation in his hands, Stillwell glanced at a large cake decorated as an American flag and said, "I wasn't planning on anything this glorious."

Leblanc then handed Stillwell a challenge coin from the North Andover and Boxford Veterans Services, thanking him for his service.

"It comes 70 years late, but ..." Stillwell joked, which again elicited a round of applause.