World War II veteran John Loforte said he felt “like a celebrity” at the Villages Honor Flight celebration Nov. 11 at Brownwood Paddock Square.
More than 5,000 people turned out that evening to see performances by The Villages Twirlers & Drum Corps and singer Garrett Miles.
The 89-year-old said it was the first time he’d ever felt that special.
The next day, Loforte’s Honor Flight Guardian from the May flight, Penny White of the Village of Duval, passed that sentiment along by email to that event’s sponsor, Parady Financial Group.
That email made its way to Parady Financial Group managing partner Cindy Nazzaro. It nearly brought her to tears.
On Monday afternoon, Parady Financial continued to show its appreciation for Villages Honor Flight by presenting the organization with a $6,000 check.
“Many of our clients are veterans,” she said. “And we so appreciate what your organization is doing for our veterans.”
Nazzaro’s father-in-law fought at Normandy. He was reluctant to take an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. to see the war memorials. He died before he could make the trip.
John Driscoll of the Villages Honor Flight praised Parady’s generosity.
“Your generosity will help us pay tribute to the men and women who saved the world,” Driscoll said.
Learn more about Villages Honor Flight at the link below:
http://www.villageshonorflight.org/
