In The News
Southeast Florida honor flight fighting the clock to send WWII veterans to Washington, D.C.
Hundreds of veterans on waiting list for flights
By: LIz Flynn
STUART, Fla. - "It looks like a great experience waiting to happen," said Rhody Smith, looking at pictures of the World War II Memorial.
Smith, along with Frank Puccio, George Fillebrown and Paul Might all have a story to tell.
Smith, who is 91 and lives in Stuart, served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946 in World War II (and 1951 to 1953 in Korea), worked as an anti-aircraft gunner.
“The Germans were in France and they were launching these buzz bombs,” he said. “It was all incoming flights going over our heads and it was a little dicey because we managed, as a battalion, to knock 108 of them out of the sky.”
Frank Puccio also served in the U.S. Army. The 90 year old Stuart resident worked in the radar field from 1942 – 1945.
“We took airplane pictures,” he explained. We had a scope and every time there was a blip on there, we wanted to see who it was. If they had IFF, that’s identification friend or foe, if they didn’t have it, they were the opposite. Then we went after them, but if they had identification, then we just did our job.”
George Fillebrown trained in surgical assistance in the U.S. Army. The 89 year old Stuart man served from 1942 to 1946.
“I’m so glad that I helped save life and limbs,” he said. “Even if I didn’t do a great deal, I know there were occasions where I was there at a time when they needed me.”
Paul Might, who is 85 and also from Stuart, spent three years in the U.S. Navy working as a motor machinist mate.
"We served as escort vessels for the aircraft carriers," he said. “We were trying to make sure torpedoes missed their target.”
The men, connected by their service, share another bond: They're all on a waiting list for Southeast Florida Honor Flight. The non-profit organization flies World War II veterans free of charge to Washington DC to see the World War Two Memorial. Southeast Florida Honor Flight has flown 384 veterans so far, with two more flights planned for this year.
"I think it would be a good experience,” said Puccio. “I have never been there and I just would like to see it."
Puccio and the others, unfortunately, may not get their chance. They’re among 504 veterans on a waiting list for future Honor Flights. Charter flights cost $89-thousand to organize, and with limited funds, Southeast Florida Honor Flight can’t arrange enough of them.
“There is nothing more absolutely heartbreaking than to call one of the veterans to say, “you've finally made it to the top of the list” and speak to his widow instead," explained Southeast Honor Flight Secretary Elaine Penn.
Penn worries that without more help many veterans won't be making the flight.
"Time is certainly racing against us,” she said. “We need to do this and do this as quickly as possible."
"I realize I may not last that long, until my name comes up," said Smith.
Smith and the other men are more concerned about other veterans who might not be able to make the trip on their own.
"I'd rather see my fellow comrades who are in wheelchairs and so forth. I'd rather see them go first," said Fillebrown.
Even if they can't go, these veterans are grateful for the memorial and the volunteers and donors in South Florida who are helping veterans see it.
"It makes you feel that they appreciate what you did and the years that you gave up for the service and the fact that we have freedom today," Fillebrown added.
“I think it would be, perhaps, a token of appreciation that sometimes we don’t always get,” said Might.
Southeast Florida Honor Flight serves World War II veterans from Indian River County to the Florida Keys. All donations to the all-volunteer organization go directly to helping veterans fly to Washington, D.C. to see the World War II Memorial.
They have two fundraising events going on this weekend:
Celebration, a patriotic concert takes place at Jensen Beach High School on Friday, June 24, and Saturday, June 25 at 8pm. The group also has a performance on Sunday at 2pm. Admission is $15 at the door.
VFW Post #8058, Fort Pierce, is hosting a dinner and entertainment to benefit Southeast Florida Honor Flight. It will be held Saturday, June 25, beginning at 5pm. The cost is $20 per person. VFW Post #8058 is located at 3475 Douglas Road, Fort Pierce. All proceeds from both events will help send World War II veterans to Washington, D.C.
To learn more about Southeast Florida Honor Flight, go to www.honorflightsefl.org . You can also find them on Facebook at facebook.com/honorflight .
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