Albanian American War Veterans Luncheon in Boston

The Albanian American War Veterans (AAWV), founded in 1946, will host an annual luncheon at 12 noon on November 12, 2011 at Anthony's Pier 4 on Boston's historic waterfront. The 65-year old veterans organization was the result of an initial appeal by Dr. Andrew Elia who had served as a Lt-Commander in the US Navy as a Medical Officer on a supply ship during WWII.

According to his daughter, Dorothy Howells, Dr. Elia was the model for the ship's doctor in the book "Mr. Roberts" by Thomas Heggen that was later produced as a successful play on Broadway and later as a movie starring Henry Fonda as Mr. Roberts and William Powell as the ship's doctor modeled after Dr. Elia. When the play "Mr Roberts" opened in Boston, author Tom Heggen, introduced Dr. Elia from the audience and invited him and his wife, Dr. Dhimitra Tsina Elia, to meet the cast members backstage.

Back in 1946, over 100 Albanian-American WWII veterans responded enthusiastically to Dr. Elia's appeal for a veterans group that led to the official foundation of the AAWV. Over the years, the AAWV participated actively in various Veterans Day observances and ceremonies at the Massachusetts State House and other governmental locations where the Albanian Americans distinguished themselves by their presence and by proudly displaying the American and AAWV flags.

The AAWV luncheon meeting will be opened by Commander Ronald Nasson after which, AAWV Founding Member, Van Christo, will provide a short history of the AAWV.

For reservations to the AAWV luncheon at Anthony's Pier 4 on Saturday, November 12, 2011,
please call Virginia Kosmo at 1 781 894-2721 or Ron Nasson at 1 508 668-6506.