They were special people, wonderful men and women, great fathers and caring mothers.

They were stalwarts in their community. Leaders and protectors, unforgettable friends and engaging personalities, fascinating people brimming over with wisdom and humor.

They were soldiers who proudly served their country, making the ultimate sacrifice by serving a nation during one of its most difficult times.

As Tom Brokaw so thoughtfully wrote in his book, they were part of the “The Greatest Generation.”

Who could argue?

They were World War II veterans. And yet they are dying at an alarming rate of more than 1,100 a day.

The diminishing ranks number several veterans from the Auburn community who have left their mark.

Bill Warren, a member of the Chippewa tribe, survived seven island assault landings in the Pacific theater from 1942-45 with the Army infantry. Trained in jungle warfare, Warren took a bullet through the back and shrapnel in his wrist.

“There was never a moment when you were not scared,” Warren said, eyes welling with tears during an interview with me last year. “Someone was always getting shot, getting killed. In the jungle it’s bad because you couldn’t see the enemy.”

Warren somehow got out alive. He was decorated with the Bronze Star.

After a long and productive life raising and supporting a family, Warren retired to the peaceful Auburn countryside. He lost his battle with lung cancer last October at age 87.

A lifetime member of VFW Post 1741 and the American Legion, Warren was the leading force in the design and construction of the Veterans Memorial in the old city park. The Post donated the pole to the City and installed a plaque on it in Warrren’s honor.

He was a charter member of the Inter-Tribal Warrior Society. “Bill was a gentle man who you could always depend on,” said Bill Peloza, Auburn City councilmember and VFW Post 1741 commander.”Everyone loved Bill.”

In tribute to Warren, the City will rename the Veterans Memorial Building, 411 E. St. NE, in his name. The public is invited to an 11 a.m. Monday ceremony at the park.

Matt Fioretti was a lovable man who had a special way with people.

Trained originally to fight with a bomber squadron in the war in the Pacific, the Army Air Force sergeant’s Italian heritage led him on a different course – service as a valuable interpreter in Europe.

“I didn’t want to go and feed the sharks,” Fioretti said in an interview with the Reporter last November. “I said at the time, ‘This is right down my alley.’

Special orders shipped Fioretti back to his native Italy, where the war effort needed interpreters for military spy cases involving American personnel in liberated Rome.

Fioretti, born and raised in Italy until he joined his father in the United States at age 13, was more than qualified for the job.

Fioretti said he felt blessed to have survived the war years.

“It was my duty to God,” he said, “and to country.”

Fioretti retired after 36 years working with the railroads. During that time, he married and provided for a family in Auburn.

Fioretti passed away Sunday at 91. Services are 1 p.m. today at Holy Family Church, 505 17th St SE.

The two veterans were two of the oldest remaining World War II veterans belonging to the nationally honored Auburn VFW Post 1741. Auburn’s Paul Myers, an Army veteran and Post member, turns 100 in July.

“Our younger veterans looked up to them as examples to follow,” said Mike Sepal, the Post’s junior vice commander. “The sacrifices they made during World War II were a lot different than some of the sacrifices our veterans are making in right now.

“Matt always used to remind us that the planes that flew over our skies to Iraq and Afghanistan, brimming with supplies and cargo, are the same planes that will bring back bodies of our fallen service members,” Sepal said. “As a nation, we get distracted and forget that. But Matt always reminded us of those sacrifices being made today.”

The Auburn community also lost Viola Borstein, who died on May 4 at age 89. Her full and amazing life included service in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII, where she proudly achieved the rank of corporal. She was one of the more than 20,000 women who had served in the Marine Corps by the end of World War II.

After serving her country, she and her husband, Paul, a fellow Marine, raised a family. They enjoyed the good life, devoting themselves to family, friends and helping others. She worked as a school teacher, performed civic duties, was active in her community. The American Legion Auxiliary recently honored her and other area women veterans.”

“I feel like I did the job, and I did it well,” she said in an interview with the Reporter. “I appreciate the fact I was a part of it.

“It was a great experience, the turning point in my young life.”