Massachusetts veterans take to the skies again with “Dream Flights” in World War II-era aircraft

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Some of the oldest military veterans in Massachusetts were honored with special flights on Friday in a World War II-era aircraft. The nonprofit organization Dream Flights honored senior veterans from Alliance Health and Human Services with free flights in a restored Stearman biplane, taking off from Norwood Airport. “We give them an opportunity to kind of relive their military moments,” said Al Bailey with Alliance Health and Human Services. “And the exciting part is some of their family members never saw them fly or never saw them in service.” “Very rewarding” Jeff Klosky is the volunteer pilot who took the veterans to the sky. “It is very rewarding. We don’t get paid in cash, but we get paid in smiles and it’s very addictive,” Klosky said. “I keep coming back.

This is my sixth season doing it and just to put a smile on a veteran’s face is totally worth everything we do.” The first to get into the open cockpit was Joe Tetrault. “I’ve been on it before, they’re all right,” he said. Tetrault is a 90-year-old Korean War veteran and just being at the airport sparked some memories.  “It brings me back to the younger days when I was a kid that I flew on this plane,” he said. Tetrault’s daughter Jeanne was beaming with pride. “He’s so amazing and he’s been through so much that this is just one more thing for him to try and achieve,” she said. “He’s just my hero.” Honoring veterans Joan Stafford, who turns 95 in a few days, is flying in honor of her late husband Robert. “My husband would be so proud because he used to fly out of Norwood and he loved airplanes,” she said. It was “mission accomplished” after a successful day of flying in Norwood. “It’s great to get them in the plane, and when you get them back, the worst response I’ve gotten is a huge smile,” Klosky said.

Source: Massachusetts veterans take to the skies again with “Dream Flights” in World War II-era aircraft – CBS Boston

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Isaiah 40:28

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California veteran known for pro-Trump display outside his home dies after assault

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A southern California man has died after an assault last week in front of his San Diego area home, which was well known for its extensive collection of US flags and signs supporting Donald Trump. Authorities confirmed on Monday that Kerry Sheron, a 69-year-old US army veteran, died days after he was attacked on Wednesday outside his home in Escondido. Police have arrested Thomas Butler, a 32-year-old who media outlets have identified as a navy veteran, on multiple charges including attempted murder, elder abuse and battery.

Officers were called to the street where Sheron lived for a reported assault on the afternoon of 20 May and came upon a badly injured Sheron as well as a bystander who was injured after intervening, according to a report from Military.com. Police arrested Butler a short time later after searching the area. Ross Garcia, a deputy district attorney, said the violence against Sheron was unprovoked, CBS8 reported. “It was a single punch to the jaw. The victim then falls to the floor, and there are subsequent hits to the victim’s head area, requiring the victim to be transported to the hospital,” Garcia said. Law enforcement officials have told media the motive is still under investigation but that investigators do not yet have information suggesting the incident was politically motivated. Sheron’s family has described it as a “brutal and unprovoked attack”.

The incident has sparked outrage, and Sheron’s wife and some public officials have suggested it was a result of his political beliefs. Brian Jones, California’s senate minority leader from San Diego, called Sheron’s death “unconscionable” and said he was “ruthlessly murdered” because of his support “freedom, patriotism, and our president”. “It was callous and it was evil. To kill an elderly man over his political beliefs is not only heartbreaking, it is un-American to its core,” Jones said in a statement. The San Diego district attorney’s office said that Butler will return to court on 3 June and is currently in custody without bail.

Source: California veteran known for pro-Trump display outside his home dies after assault | California | The Guardian

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