Peter Brelis Gary Verver collection
January’s Maine Veterans’ Homes – Scarborough, Veteran of the Month is Newport, Rhode Island, native Peter Brelis.
As a young man, Peter could hardly wait to join the Navy. In 1943, and as soon as he turned 17, Peter secured the written permission he needed from his parents to enlist.
He served his country for 20 years, being part of both World War II and the Korean War.
“I enlisted because everyone I knew was doing the same thing,” he said. “I would say it was a good experience. I learned a lot from being in the military. I learned discipline,” he said.
“I love our flag and honor it,” he said.
Peter began his military career as a BM2, a boatswain’s mate, and his job was transporting troops to shore.
Though he had been eager to enlist, he missed his family and being away from his family and found it difficult to write home during wartime.
“I couldn’t bring myself to write to them,” he said
As luck would have it, Peter met his wife, Stella, at a USO event.
“I asked her to dance, and at that time, she wasn’t allowed to say no. The rest is history,” he said.
A rich history, indeed.
The young couple married in 1951, first living in San Diego, California, where their son Christopher was born in 1960. The family later lived in Norfolk, Virginia, before settling in Stella’s hometown of Portland, Maine.
Stella’s family owned Sportsman’s Grill in Portland, so Peter worked there and for the United States Postal Service for 20 years before retirement.
One of Peter’s passions, besides his family, was boxing. Stella’s brother was also heavily involved in the Portland boxing scene.
“I went to the championships once,” Peter said. “I had to lose 4 pounds in four days to qualify. I lost the 4 pounds but ended up losing to a Marine.”
Peter and Stella, who passed away in 2012, were great dancers and loved to go to events and parties. They were so good that when they danced, people stopped to watch — the couple’s rhythm was evident, and so was the incredible time they had whenever they danced.
Now a resident at Maine Veterans’ Homes – Scarborough, Peter Brelis has been named Veteran of the Month for January. Thank you for your service, Peter.
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