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Honor Flight

Saturday, December 1, 2012

WWII Veterans Get Honorable Ride In Area Boat Parade

John and Debra Tornga are honoring several local World War II veterans aboard their vessel in the Dunedin Holiday Boat Parade at Dunedin Municipal Marina on Saturday evening.

John Tornga and wife Debra spent Thursday afternoon putting red, white and blue finishing touches aboard their vessel in Dunedin Municpal Marina. The Torngas wanted to ensure no detail is overlooked for several local World War II veterans riding aboard "Semper Fi" during the Dunedin Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 1, starting at 6 p.m. The veterans range in age between 87 and 98 and represent all branches of the U.S. military. Tornga said the men live in Largo, Seminole, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg and Lutz. "We're honoring them, but also, all World War II vets," Tornga said. "They get treated like kings." After the parade, Tornga said he'll likely take the men to a hero-worthy reception at The Dunedin Boat Club. Heroes …

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Pinellas World War II Vets Receive Hero’s Welcome Following Trip to Washington

The third West Central Florida Honor Flight featured more than two dozen veterans from the Tampa Bay area.

The 72 veterans who made the third Honor Flight of West Central Florida varied in age from 83 to 98-years-old. They served in several of branches of the military, including the Army Air Corps and Merchant Marines, doing tours everywhere from Iwo Jima to Australia. They performed tasks as varied as operating communications equipment to piloting bombing missions. They weren’t even all of the same gender - two female vets were part of the group who made the trip, including former Army nurse Marjorie Maxine Hoffs of Largo. But there is one thing all the participants in the Honor Flight have in common: they all served our country in World War II, and they all deserve every honor that can be bestowed upon them, no matter how belated it may be. “…

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