By Ruth Marvin Webster

For The North County Times

             Surrounded by friends and family, longtime Encinitas resident John Kentera was honored Saturday night for 50 years of service to the American Legion, Post 416 and to the community at large.

             “Considering you can’t join (the American Legion) until you are out of the service, 50 years (of membership) anywhere is pretty amazing,” said Post Commander Bill Steinauer on Saturday afternoon, “but to be 50 years in the same town, or the same post, that is a really rare occurrence.”

            Indeed, past Post Commander Terry Sisson said he believes Saturday’s celebration for Kentera was the first time a living member of the local post had been honored in such a way. The post, Sisson said, was founded in 1932.

            More that 50 American Legion post members as well a family and friends gathered at the post headquarters on F Street in Encinitas to present Kentera with a framed certificate and to salute him.

            Before dinner, Steinauer asked all members of the local post to rise and salute Kentera, who was seated in a wheelchair, wearing his 11th Airborne Division cap.

“Well done, sir,” Steinauer and other veterans said, “Well done, sir.”

            Kentera said he was deeply touched by the honor.

            Now 86 years old, Kentera said he served as a glider with the 11th Airborne, Battery B Field Artillery during World War II.  But he was never saw combat in Europe, because during his training at Maxton Air Base at Camp McCall in North Carolina, his glider crashed into a grove of trees.

            “I guess I was the lucky one,” Kentera recalled before the ceremony.

            “There were two pilots and 15 passengers (who died) but I was on the back end.  My legs hurt so bad, and I was 22 days in the hospital, but after that, the examiner said they couldn’t use me.”

            In 1946, Kentera said, he moved to Encinitas, where he and his brother Andy first owned a little grocery store called the Palace Market, then Johnny’s Beer Bar, which later became the Leucadian, and a Cardiff bar called The Office.

            “He’s always been a wonderful gentleman and a good friend,” said Cardiff resident John Efird who attended Saturday’s celebration.  “I’ve known John for many, many years, enjoying his Cardiff Office and the Leucadian.  “I’m glad we’re honoring him in this way.”

Longtime friend Fred Mackenzie agreed.

            “I’ve known John for 30 years now, and he’s almost generous to a fault.  He used to get day-old doughnuts to give them to the migrant workers, give a cup of coffee to the homeless and every year, he volunteers turkeys as Thanksgiving.”

            But, friend Judy Bissonnette added, Kentera has never been one to brag about his good deeds.

            “He always took care of everyone.  Always helping anyone, if they were in need,” said Karen Mackenzie.