Vancouver veteran Dave Difford celebrates 105th birthday The Columbian
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2 Photos FAIRWAY/164TH: Mayor McEnerny-Ogle announced Dec. 21 as Dave Difford Day, honoring him with an official proclamation. Photo Gallery
FAIRWAY/164TH Touchmark at Fairway Village resident Dave Difford celebrated his 105th birthday on Dec. 21. About two dozen vehicles participated in a parade, as well as motorcyclists with the Patriot Guard Riders. Mayor McEnerny-Ogle announced Dec. 21 as Dave Difford Day, honoring him with an official proclamation in addition to the parade, including military and other officials from Kindness 911. Difford spent four years in the Army, as well as decades in the plywood industry. He was born in Philadelphia and moved to Louisville, Ky., in 1919. He majored in engineering at the University of Kentucky and was an ROTC member, graduating in 1936 as second lieutenant in the Army Reserve. He moved to Washington that year and was discharged fro
John Whittaker
Pictured are Allie Burdick, Cattaraugus County commander; Jim Lemanski, Chautauqua County commander; Howie Van Rennselaer; Stan Kawski, 8th District chaplain; and Steve McCord, 8th district service officer and Cattaraugus County director of Veteran Services.
Submitted photos
Editor’s Note: The Post-Journal is looking back at the top stories of 2020 and the way they will shape the coming year. Today, 20 for 2020 looks at the municipal stories that were among the most-read in the newspaper this year.
Chautauqua County is home to 134,000 or so people, depending on the time of year and just about every one of them has an interesting story to tell.
On Dec. 18, after the 6 p.m. Wreaths Across America program at Freedom Plaza in Tehachapi, veterans and shop owners in Tehachapi presented Police Chief Kent Kroeger and the Tehachapi Police Department with memorial posters of Tehachapiâs World War II veterans, who the department honored with a reception and tour of the new police station.
Capt. Ed Sullivan of the National WWII Memorial Committee and Laura Coley of Wittâs printing made the veterans posters for the Tehachapi Police Department in memory of the respect and courtesy the department has shown to the âgreatest generationâ of Tehachapi veterans.
Maryann Paciullo, who sponsors Coffee with Tehachapi Peace Officers at McDonald s throughout the year, presented the memorial poster honoring Staff Sgt. John and Jane Grenek. John was Tehachapiâs last survivor of the D-Day invasion at Normandy. The Greneks were friends with Maryannâs father, a WWII veteran, and all frequent senior citizens guests at McD
Patriot Guard gets its ‘Oldest Rider’
LANCASTER, Calif.–Robert Wood, at 93, needs a little help getting around, but there is a good reason his nickname is “Bomber Bob.”
During World War II, history’s greatest conflict, theretired Edwards Air Force Base engineer survived 35 bombing missions over Nazi Germany, serving as a command pilot on a B-17 Flying Fortress dubbed “Miss Behavin’.”
On June 16, he survived another distinction and honor, being inducted as an honorary member of the Patriot Guard Riders at the Antelope Valley Harley-Davidson dealership.
“I cannot tell you how pleased I am to be with you, and that comes from the heart,” PGR Ride Captain Jim “Kick Stand” Jacobs, an Army veteran, said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A94RZIi-qAs
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – This year the Spirit of Liberty Foundation partnered with the San Diego Air and Space Museum for the Foundation’s 19th Annual Operation Christmas Miracle, The Believe in Santa Tour on Tuesday, December 15 making stops to bring the magic and spirit of Christmas to our Armed Forces and Veterans in San Diego.
America’s Santa, wearing his camouflage and white fur suit, and the Grinch will make their visits in red Mustang convertibles stopping at the Veterans Home in Chula Vista, the VA Hospital, Veterans Village, Balboa Naval Medical Center and the North Island Naval Base. The procession will be accompanied by a group of local Patriot Guard Riders. Also included will be a large LED media truck playing a video of Santa delivering a special Christmas message to Veterans and Active Duty.