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So far marc.zarefsky has created 328 blog entries.

Richard Shannon: ‘God was with me’

2024-05-14T20:11:30-05:00

This story begins with a young boy from the southside of Chicago. As he lies in his bed, looking at the church steeples just outside his bedroom window, he dreams of one day becoming a Catholic priest.

Richard Shannon: ‘God was with me’2024-05-14T20:11:30-05:00

James Duhig: ‘The luckiest SOB alive’

2024-05-14T09:33:47-05:00

When James stepped off the plane from Vietnam and his feet touched the ground in Hawaii, he got on his knees and kissed the ground. He remembers thinking to himself “you are the luckiest SOB alive”.

James Duhig: ‘The luckiest SOB alive’2024-05-14T09:33:47-05:00

Dennis Mitzner: Dedicating a life of service to his country

2024-05-14T09:32:22-05:00

Dennis' first deployment came in 1968, in Turkey on the Black Sea Coast. He was responsible for monitoring missiles and spacecraft.  There was only one adversary when he was first deployed; there were two at the end of his service.

Dennis Mitzner: Dedicating a life of service to his country2024-05-14T09:32:22-05:00

Bill Holic Jr.: Riding the waves

2024-05-14T09:27:41-05:00

Guantánamo Bay, Cuba/Bermuda/ Pearl Harbor/San Diego/Norfolk/ Vietnam — Fortunately, Bill Holic, Jr., liked to travel and travel he did. Thirty years in the Navy certainly gives him the title of “lifer”. 

Bill Holic Jr.: Riding the waves2024-05-14T09:27:41-05:00

Mike J. Ryan: We were always on guard

2024-05-08T08:08:55-05:00

Mike was recognized for serving as an Army Sergeant from July 1967 to July 1969, serving a year in Vietnam as part of the Combat Infantry Division. Mike received a Purple Heart for an injury he suffered during his service. 

Mike J. Ryan: We were always on guard2024-05-08T08:08:55-05:00

Highlights from our 113th flight

2024-04-19T08:36:18-05:00

On April 10, we opened our 16th flight season with HFC113 comprising three WWII, 11 Korean War and 101 Vietnam Veterans traveling together to our nation’s capital.

Highlights from our 113th flight2024-04-19T08:36:18-05:00

Rufus Hall: Pondering at the age of 91

2024-07-11T11:02:36-05:00

Glenn Hall, affectionately known as Rufus, was born in Idlewild, Tennessee. Rufus was the middle child of a family of seven. Idlewild was a small farm town of about 300 people.

Rufus Hall: Pondering at the age of 912024-07-11T11:02:36-05:00

Donna Cooley: Paving the way for future generations

2024-04-07T21:54:05-05:00

Donna Cooley enlisted in the Army at a time when military duties that were traditionally done by men started opening up to women. She said “it was a tough time for women because the Army wasn’t prepared and didn’t know what to do with us.”

Donna Cooley: Paving the way for future generations2024-04-07T21:54:05-05:00

Thomas Legg: A man of many skills

2024-04-06T22:07:55-05:00

Thomas Legg grew up in North Hammond, Indiana. His father, a World War II veteran, was in the Civil Defense and was a very strict man. Tom was in the Boys Scouts and also took first aid courses for his medical merit badges.

Thomas Legg: A man of many skills2024-04-06T22:07:55-05:00

Highlights from our 112th flight

2023-11-08T21:06:34-06:00

“I started the day with a hole in my heart, and now it's halfway filled.” Those words were spoken by a teary-eyed Veteran as he de-planed from #HFC112 last month and entered his Welcome Home parade so many decades in coming.

Highlights from our 112th flight2023-11-08T21:06:34-06:00

Donald Talbot: Feigning death to survive

2023-10-19T20:15:56-05:00

Don Talbot spent his first years with parents, Walter and Helen, in their home on the southside of Chicago.  Upon completing 7th grade at Madison Grade School, Walter and Helen, with Don and his siblings, Barb, Wally and Bobby, moved to their new home in Harvey, Illinois. 

Donald Talbot: Feigning death to survive2023-10-19T20:15:56-05:00

Bruce Hansen: We take care of them, they take care of us

2023-10-16T23:02:10-05:00

Bruce Hansen's military career began when he told his Dad, a Marine Raider during WWII, that he would follow in his footsteps and enlist in the Marines. It was 1968, and 18-year-old Bruce was working as a carpenter/laborer, trying to get ahead of the Vietnam draft.  

Bruce Hansen: We take care of them, they take care of us2023-10-16T23:02:10-05:00

Johnnie Williams: A well trained soldier

2023-10-17T13:23:04-05:00

Johnnie Williams grew up in Gary, IN the oldest of 12 children. After graduating high school in 1961, he worked at White Castle for three years. He and his cousin were the first blacks ever to work at White Castle in Hammond, IN

Johnnie Williams: A well trained soldier2023-10-17T13:23:04-05:00

Joseph Phelan: A silver star for gallantry

2023-10-16T22:57:41-05:00

On March 2, 1965, Joseph P. (“Joe”) Phelan flew his rescue helicopter to pick up a downed fighter pilot in North Vietnam. By doing so he participated in the first air rescue in the North.

Joseph Phelan: A silver star for gallantry2023-10-16T22:57:41-05:00

Raymond Gervais: Determined to stay active

2023-10-16T22:56:45-05:00

Talking with WWII Veteran Raymond Gervais, he said “I always wanted to be doing something”, from his WWII and Korean days, to playing volleyball in his 60’s, or working with his canine search and rescue team. He has certainly kept himself active.

Raymond Gervais: Determined to stay active2023-10-16T22:56:45-05:00
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