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| LIFE IN SOLERA | JUNE 2022 | 5 By Richard Crowe On the first weekend of May, Solera resident Jerry Erickson, a 91-year-old Korean War Veteran, was invited by The Distinguished Flying Cross Society (Society) to Washington D.C. and a bus tour of all the military monuments in our Nation's Capital. The Society hosts Honor Flight trips two times a year with all expenses paid for any WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War Veterans. Local area Veterans flew by charter flight from San Diego, spent two nights in the Washington Hilton Hotel, attended two banquet dinners, and toured the following monuments: Arlington National Cemetery (including the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), the U.S. Navy Yard Museum, and these service/war memorials: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, WWII, Korean, Vietnam, and Lincoln. Each honored Veteran was accompanied by an escort. Jerry invited fellow Solera Army Veteran Dan Princeotto to be his escort. On the bus tour the Society held "Mail Call" for each of the Veterans. Mail Call was a box containing 30-50 letters written by children from all across America thanking the Veterans for their military service and protection of our great country. The return flight to San Diego was met by a crowd of 1,000 citizens who also – and stunningly - thanked the traveling heroes. Jerry repurposed his box of letter to Jesse Donardt who will send them to serving soldiers and sailors in his Support the Troops care packages. Jerry had two brothers who served in the military. Carl, an older brother, was lost in WWII during the Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 1944) when his ship, the destroyer USS HOEL (DD-533), was sunk by Japanese Navy cruisers. Jerry's son, Brian, carried on the family military tradition. A U.S. Navy captain and an aviator, Brian recently retired after 26 years of service. Honor Flight to Washington D.C. We have a small group of ladies living in Solera called 8 is Enuff. Recently, we were contacted by Valerie Hunter, San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital's Foundation Director. She is asking for donations of travel size body wash, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, mouthwash, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand lotion and shower caps. If any residents have these items to donate, please drop them off at 979 or 981 Blackhawk Drive. A drop-off box will be outside by the front door. If you would like us to pick it up, please call me, Dorothy at (951) 217-5357 or Sheryl at (909) 965-3796. Thank you. ~ Dorothy Hoffecker and Sheryl Verdugo DONATIONS NEEDED FOR SAN GORGONIO HOSPITAL The Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C. 22 years old Jerry Erickson during the Korean War Jerry and Dan Princotto

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