Posted By: JJ Hayes March 5, 2021 @ 3:43 am Blogs, JJ Hayes Show Page
Today’s Star Spangled Salute honors Veteran Wayne Bormann. Wayne was part of a special unit that tested choppers in warfare, the goal was to see if they could fight the Vietnam war with helicopters. Wayne said he joined the Airborne to be around airplanes and he was, and he started jumping out of them. He was part of the first combat unit into Vietnam, saying it took three aircraft carriers and four troop ships to get them and all their equipment to Vietnam. Wayne said he was shot down once and had malaria five times while there. At one point he was told his platoon has been wiped out and he never got over that loss, but in the early 2000’s he learned from a surprise phone call, they had survived. He has hosted them for a reunion once before and is now looking to raise money to host them again, as a way to say thank you.
Posted By: JJ Hayes March 4, 2021 @ 4:03 am Blogs, JJ Hayes Show Page
Today’s Star Spangled Salute honors retired Master Sergeant Marine veteran and lottery jackpot winner Christi Davis. Christ lives in North Carolina and she recently won $500,000 playing Powerball. After taxes she kept almost $354,000. Christi says she plans to take a lot of that money and pay it forward. Christi says it’s been a hard year for everyone and she wants to help some of the organizations around her home town. Thank you for your generosity Christi and THANK YOU for your service.
Posted By: JJ Hayes March 3, 2021 @ 3:58 am Blogs, JJ Hayes Show Page
Today’s Star Spangled Salute honors the kindness of Teresa Ferrin and Korean War Veteran Erik Karl Blauberg. Teresa worked at a Christian Thrift Store and one day she came across a Purple Heart and other medals. On the back of the Purple Heart was the name Erik Karl Blauberg. At that point, Teresa knew she had to try and find this man’s family. After some time and effort and some good detective work, and a little help from Facebook, she did. She found Erik’s daughter Lisa. Lisa was so happy to receive this special gift because she said it was really the only physical thing she had that belonged to her dad. Thank you Teresa for your kindness and THANK YOU Erik for your service.
Posted By: JJ Hayes March 2, 2021 @ 4:08 am Blogs, JJ Hayes Show Page
Today’s Star Spangled Salute honors retired Coast Guard Veteran Chuck Wood. For the last 2 and a half years, Chuck has been confined to his house because the wheel chair he had wouldn’t get over the threshold of his door. Even if it could, there was not a ramp to allow him access to ground level. Enter Richard Randall, President of the Veterans of All Wars Motorcycle Riders, he organized volunteers who built a new ramp and gave Chuck a new wheel chair. Chuck is now outside and he says it feels great now to be able to see his neighborhood and talk to people. Enjoy your new found freedom Chuck and THANK YOU for your service.
Posted By: JJ Hayes March 1, 2021 @ 3:54 am Blogs, JJ Hayes Show Page
Today’s Star Spangled Salute honors Vietnam Veteran Sue Simoneau and Army Veteran James Pooler. After her service, Sue was a hospice nurse. She has since retired, living in her dream home on the coast. One day she returned home and the house she had worked so hard for was on fire. James, said he knew Veterans were like family and he had to help however he could. He did what he could and over time Sue and James became friends. James said helping Sue actually helped him work through his PTSD. However, he’s done all he can and there is still work to be done. Sue says she’s been helping people all her life and hates to ask but she doesn’t want to be and shouldn’t be homeless after serving her country. Sue, we hope your house is fixed soon and THANK YOU for your service.