John Glennon Sr. honored for his volunteer service on Key Peninsula

About 100 show their appreciation

Hugh McMillan

Special to the Gateway

A crowd of friends, family and admirers gathered in the garden area of the Home Port Restaurant and Lounge in Home on Sunday to honor John Glennon Sr. for his years of devoted service to the Key Peninsula community.

Lulu Smith of the Home Port said it was an amazingly well-kept secret.

“John was totally taken by surprise,” she said.

So much so that, as Glennon was escorted through the restaurant into the garden area, where about 100 guests awaited him, he almost lost his balance.

Glennon, a World War II veteran who saw action during the invasion of Normandy, carries in his wallet a color photo of him shaking hands with England’s Queen Elizabeth at a reunion a few years ago. The reunion was for those who survived the successful assault on Hitler’s Europe.

A longtime Longbranch resident, Glennon is a frequent volunteer at various activities at the Longbranch Improvement Club. He has devoted countless hours to support the work of the Key Peninsula Community Services Food Bank. And annually, he grows his beard to become Santa Claus.

Smith and Wally Johnson of the Home Port presented a thank you plaque to Glennon which bore a color photo of him wearing his Santa outfit.

Penny Gazabat, executive director of the KPCS Food Bank, said Glennon has given many hours of volunteer work to the organization.

“So much,” she said, “that we have long called the food distribution area ‘John’s Office.’ ”

Gazabat handed him a brass door plate with words, “John Glennon’s Office,” to be mounted on the door.

Hugh McMillan is a longtime freelance writer for The Peninsula Gateway. He can be reached at 253-884-3319 or by e-mail at hmcmnp1000@centurytel.net.