HONOR FLIGHT: We haven’t taken our Bradford veterans on an Honor Flight yet, but the Bradford team recently sent an update — two team members were able to attend as guardians of a recent flight out of Buffalo, N.Y.
For anyone not familiar with the program, veterans are transported free of charge to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials dedicated to their honor. About two months ago, a group of local individuals met at the Bradford Area School District administrative offices to discuss bringing the program here.
Bradford Superintendent Katharine Pude and School Street Elementary School Principal Sarah Tingley were guardians on a Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight on Oct. 29, according to Nancy Fire, who has been instrumental in organizing the local effort.
“They were both very excited and thrilled about the experience,” Nancy tells us.
Also, Zippo Manufacturing Co. donated enough lighters — each with the Buffalo Niagara logo — so each veteran could have one.The lighters were the same size and shape as ones made during World War II.
WGRZ Channel 2 even featured a news segment that showed 1996 Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole being presented a Zippo lighter from one of the veterans.
“It was an emotional thing just watching it,” said Nancy. “It was just thrilling.”
Tom Petrie, president of the Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight and customer operations manager for Tops Markets of East Aurora is helping Bradford get the local program off the ground.
Petrie said at the end of September that he hopes a Bradford Honor Flight will be possible by May 2017. The group is aiming to gather 40 local veterans for the flight.
Nancy explained World War II veterans, as well as Korean and Vietnam veterans who suffer health issues, will receive first priority on the flight.
GIVING TUESDAY: By the way, today is Giving Tuesday.
Giving Tuesday — scheduled just after Black Friday and Cyber Monday (or Small Business/Shop Local Monday, a movement many local shops took part in) — is a global reminder to shoppers that the Christmas season is a time of charity, too.
Today is the first day of the ELF Fund’s gift drop-of period, so whether you’re giving to the ELF Fund or another cause of your choice, today’s as good a day as any to do so.
