Over the years, councilmembers in Montgomery County, Maryland, say they’ve called attention to many incredible people with citations for public service. “But I’d dare say that today is gonna rank among the highest honors that we have had as a body,” Councilman Will Jawando said Tuesday when Charles E. McGee, a 100-year-old Tuskegee Airman, was honored.
“There’s nothing we can say here today to honor you enough and thank you for what you went through on behalf of our country,” Jawando said.
A brigadier general when he retired, McGee served in three wars, flew 409 combat missions, and helped defeat the German Luftwaffe in World War II as a member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen.
Among the first African American pilots to graduate from the Army’s segregated Tuskegee Institute, he did more than that. He and other African American pilots helped integrate the U.S. armed forces.
Read Alessia Grunberger’s story on Bethesda-Chevy Chase Patch: 100-Year-Old Tuskegee Airman Honored
The ‘Queen Of Paczki’ Really Rolled For Fat Tuesday
Anna Kaliszak, known around her Chicago suburb as the “Queen of Paczki,” rolled up thousands of the deep-fried, doughy pillows of love for Fat Tuesday — and for those who aren’t up on Polish culture, Fat Thursday. Read Lorraine Swanson’s story on Oak Lawn Patch.
Look What Wood Carver Found In Dead Trees
Tim Collins never considered himself an artist — “I can’t draw stick figures,” he says — and only started carving wood last April. But as he carves up other people’s dead trees, art emerges. Read Josh Baken’s story on Lacey Patch.
Students Paint To Uplift Their Classmates
Some middle school students in Massachusetts are picking up brushes and painting colorful murals meant to uplift their classmates. The first place they hit with the brushes was the girl’s locker room, a sensitive place for children as they enter their teen years. Read Neal McNamara’s story on Framingham Patch.
Cupid The Cat Shot Us Through The Heart
Cat lovers around the country have demonstrated their support for Cupid, the tabby cat who was shot in the head with an arrow in West Virginia, by flooding an Arlington County shelter with emails and thousands of dollars in donations. Read Michael McConnell’s story on Arlington Patch.
Some Ducklings Could Use Love Like That
As Easter approaches, it may be tempting to buy the kiddos some ducklings, but animal control officers in Connecticut, who tried unsuccessfully to rescue two baby ducks dumped in a pond, have a warning: Domestic ducks can’t fly, making them, in a manner of speaking, sitting ducks. Read Ellyn Santiago’s story on Branford Patch.
Fossil Hunter Finds 400 Million-Year-Old Worm
Lifelong hobbyist fossil hunter Tom Cesario “lucked out” when he found a 400 million-year-old worm that had been preserved in rock. Read the story from Dave Byrnes on Oswego Patch.
Community Rallies Girl, 11, With Incurable, Rare Disease
It is a rare disease with no cure. And Branford 11-year-old Meghan Keeney is suffering with it — the word suffering an understatement as complex regional pain syndrome is defined by what its name implies: debilitating pain that does not go away. Read how the community is rallying around her in Ellyn Santiago’s story on Branford Patch.
Couple Who Lost Home Grateful For Love And Support
Jason and Joy Pasieka are filled with gratitude after a fire destroyed their home. “It’s inexplicable, and impossible to put into words, the roller coaster of emotions we are facing in the blink of an eye,” Joy said. “We haven’t quite wrapped our heads around this reality yet, but we do feel gratitude during this time.” Read Lisa Finn’s story on Westhampton-Hampton Bays Patch.
Jet Skier Lost 12 Hours Sends Thanks To Rescuers
A jet skier who was rescued after being stranded for 12 hours in the Gulf of Mexico says he wishes he could personally thank everyone involved in his rescue. Read D’Ann Lawrence White’s story on New Port Richey Patch.
Navy Dad Gives His Kids A Big Surprise
The Nelson boys — Brendon, 8, Ethan, 6, and Caleb, 4 — had gone a year with only seeing dad and U.S. Navy Lt. Darren Nelson through the screen of a cell phone since he left for a deployment in Djibouti, Africa, in February 2019. But thanks to a sneaky plot, they got to see him in person. Read Courtney Teague’s story on Danville Patch.
Marine Uses Combat Training To Help
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Kristopher Gallinatti, 26, was heading home on Interstate 680 in California when he had an opportunity to use the skills and training he learned in combat. A father and his 9-year-old daughter are fortunate he came along. Read Courtney Teague’s story on Danville Patch.
Baker Builds Food Empire A Bag Of Granola At A Time
Dania Abimourched never set out to be a granola entrepreneur, and she’s not even that fond of it. But she’s turned it into a lucrative second career after she retired from her art teaching job. Read Michael McConnell’s story on Reston Patch.
Buddy ‘Cake Boss’ Valastro Mixes It Up
Buddy Valastro has found a new home for his show “Cake Boss,” where, he says, “we do kind of the impossible every week” with creations that include a 14-foot tall “Transformers” cake and a 2,000-pound dinosaur. Read Paul Scicchitano’s story on Miami Patch.
Negro League Bobblehead Dolls Honor Teams
Before U.S. institutions, were desegregated by the civil rights movement, African Americans who wanted to play baseball had their own league, the Negro National League founded 100 years ago this year. It produced some of the greatest baseball players of all time, and they’ll be honored with the first-ever set of Negro League team bobblehead dolls. Read Eric Kiefer’s story on Newark Patch.
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