Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce honored local military veterans Nov. 10 with a celebration luncheon at Fellowship Community, Zentz Community Center, Whitehall Township.

World War II and U.S. Navy veteran Matt Guttman, of Whitehall, served as guest speaker at the event.

Guttman said his ship participated in five landings, including Okinawa, the largest invasion.

“There were over 800 ships involved in that landing,” he said.

During his presentation, Guttman spoke of crossing the equator on a Navy ship.

“It was very exciting,” he said.

Guttman also regaled the crowd with a story involving a monkey that was brought on ship by an unidentified military member. According to Guttman, the captain of the ship instructed Navy and Marine personnel to capture the monkey.

“We finally caught him,” Guttman said of the monkey.

Guttman retired from the Navy as a chief petty officer after serving 22 years.

Also serving as guest speaker at the event was World War II veteran Gordon Higgins.