"On Scene" Freedom Flight Reports

     Regarding the recent Boone County Freedom Flight, the Korner has a pair of "on scene" reports. One from Rick Houser, BHS-63, and another from Janelle Givens Henry, BHS-70. Rick lives in Fairfax, VA. and Janelle lives in Quinton, VA..
     You Korner viewers may recall that in a recent edition we reported that Rick had a great idea. Through the Korner, he encouraged Booneites who reside in the Washington, D.C. area to make an effort, if possible, to be at the D.C. war memorial site to meet, greet and honor the Boone County veterans when they arrived there. At least two former Boone residents, Rick and Janelle, did exactly that.
     Rick explained, "I know there are many former Boone area residents "out here" who follow the Korner and when learning about the Freedom Flight, I'm hopeful some will be able to be on hand."
     Rick said, "I was there and happy to see some familiar faces. The weather was outstanding and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. The party got to see all the various memorials, they were well fed and the entire day was very inspirational. It was something very special to see coach Chuck Lovin and his son-in-law, Marty Dannatt, BHS-68, have the honor of placing a wreath on the grave of the unknown soldier. Everything was just very special."
     Janelle wrote, "after reading the Korner on Monday, I looked at my work schedule and had Tuesday off. I called the BNR and connected with Georgia Hubby Robertson, BHS-72, and told her I could meet the Boone group in D.C. and help out. Rick Houser's suggestion was wonderful. He is a former neighbor of my family but I hadn't seen him in many years. I got to see Rick, along with others I knew, some my father, Bob Givens, BHS-38, knew and others that knew either my brothers Paul, BHS-65, Steve, BHS-67, or both. There was a family there from New Jersey surprising their uncle."
     Janelle added, "I got to spend the day helping out our veterans from WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. Many people viewing the sites came up to them and thanked them for their service. Some of our veterans were hearing that praise for the first time. We started in D.C. at the WWII Memorial. We then went to Arlington Cemetery to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. We went past the Pentagon on our way to the Air Force Memorial. Then it was off to see the Navy Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean Memorial and the Viet Nam Memorial. At this point, I had to leave but I believe the tour then went to the Iwo Jima Memorial before heading to the airport."
     Janelle concluded, "I was exhausted but would do it again in a heartbeat and I told Georgia I would. I am so thankful I read your blog. If I had not read Rick's suggestion, I would have missed a wonderful opportunity to, in a small way, help and honor those veterans. So, thank you for writing your blog, thanks to Rick for his suggestion and thanks to those who organized this flight and, of course, many thanks to all our veterans."
     Editor's note: The Georgia Robertson referred to, along with her husband, Rick, BHS-71,were among the many great volunteers who organized the Freedom Flight from the very beginning and had all those smallest of details worked out perfectly. There were numerous other committee members who contributed their time and effort also..........Don Batt and Dick Thul to name a couple. The Korner salutes them for the great job they did.
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     At times, the Kornerman has heard, "Pufferbilly is on it's last legs" or "Maybe it's time to end the Pufferbilly celebration."
     A letter received this week from Dick Musser, BHS-64, refutes any such notion. At least in one case, Musser's, the event brings lots of former residents "home" where they have an excellent chance for some visiting with old friends and reminiscing about "old times."
    Admittedly, this is just one sample but we know there are other BHS/BSH classes that actually schedule their reunions at Pufferbilly time.
     Dick wrote, "Mo, I had hoped to see you over Pufferbilly Days but time seems to move too quickly. As Al Dannatt recently said in the Korner, "it was great to see so many old friends." For me, it was talking with some of brother Chuck's, BHS-57, friends.......Larry Land, Jay Peterson, Ray Gragg and others. I tried hooking up with Larry Lindmark, BHS-63, in Red Wing, MN thanks to your blog but he was away in Cincinnati at the All-Star baseball game. I always enjoy reading the Korner, hearing about old friends and learning about other Booneites."
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     In the last edition Mike Loehrer, BHS-64, reminded us that in the old movie, "Back to the Future" it was predicted that the Chicago Cubs would win the World Series in 2015.
     Loren Frazier, BHS-58, adds, "my wife Pat is a cubbies fan to the extent that her email address is pat4cubs@....com, and we have a grandson working and living in Kansas City, and enjoying the exploits of the Royals, so we will have an interesting time in our household should the two teams end up challenging each other. Pat is keeping close tabs on both teams. Thanks for passing on in the Korner the information about our class of '58 birthday party in Branson. I know that quite a few people have enjoyed reading about it."
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     Boone Connected Deaths: Shirley Tomlinson, 82, Boone..........Mary "Pat" Portwood, 91, Harlan but formerly of Boone.........Doris Ryan, 94, Boone. Formerly of Chariton. Boone area survivor is a daughter, Connie McDowell, and Connie's husband, Marshall, of Boone.........Arvid Huffman, 94, Boone. Born in Boone. After military service moved back to Boone. Was married here and employed by Iowa Electric Light and Power from 1949-84. Boone area survivors include a son, Steve, of Boone and former son-in-law, Loren Tungesvik.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments/support........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.