there was a survivor of the bataan death march , the last local veteran of world war i , a sailor who had been at pearl harbor , a retiring minister who 'd served one small country congregation for forty-five years , an old missionary who 'd lived for thirty-one years in the congo , a recent graduate who was dancing in a musical on broadway , a lady who 'd lived in twenty-two states , a man who 'd been married seven times and was anxious to share his advice with future newlyweds , mr. mitlo - our token immigrant , a retiring basketball coach , the short-order cook at the tea shoppe who 'd been frying eggs forever .