By Luca Gross
The Press-Republican
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Cadyville Fire Department made one veteran’s come true for the final Honor Flight of the year in October.
Members of the Cadyville Fire Department took Vietnam War-era veteran Dale Perry on a ride in one of their fire engines to the Honor Flight #75 which took place on Saturday, Oct. 3.
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Perry, a U.S. Navy Vietnam-era veteran, had made a special request to ride in a fire truck. Flight Leader Mike Parsons reached out to his friends with the Cadyville Fire Department, an active participant in the Honor Flight activities.
Chief Jeremy Favaro made all the arrangements including an extra string hooked to the air horn lanyard so Dale could blow the air horn during the trip to the airport.
“Well, it was certainly a surprise of my life to be able to do that,” Perry said.
Perry had never ridden in a firetruck before and wanted to see what it was like for firefighters responding to a call.
“Just to know how the firemen actually operate inside that vehicle and make their way to a dangerous situation in a hurry,” Perry said.
Perry asked how much he could blow the siren, according to Assistant Chief Jeff Favaro, driver Jeremy Favaro told him not to stop.
Perry said the whole ceremony at The Oval was a surprise.
“It was a surprise as far as what they were doing,” he said, “What they were saying about all of us guys that were there for the honor flight. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s certainly a very special thing.”
Perry said it was an emotional experience.
Jeff Favaro said he was proud to escort Perry to the Oval, while making his dream come true.
“When Mike Parsons asked if we could do it, it was a big yes,” he said. “To see the smile on his face driving down there was awesome. He kept saying ‘I can’t believe you guys are doing this for me.’ His appreciation was huge.”
Perry rode with Chief Jeremy Favaro, Assistant Chief Jeff Favaro, and firefighters Jamie Gilmore and Zane Vaughn.
“Our smiles were just as big as his. To see these Veterans’ big smiles is worth it all. Myself and Chief Favaro have made the trip to Washington as EMTs for the flight. There is no words that can describe this,” Jeff Favaro said.
During the October meeting of the Cadyville Fire Department, a unanimous vote was made to make Perry an Honorary Member of the department.
Jeff Favaro and Cadyville Fire Department members Jamie Favaro and Glimore met with Flight Leader Parsons in Fort Edward where they presented Perry with a flag and his Honorary Membership Certificate along with a fire department coat and hat.
“When we went to present Dale’s flag and Fire Dept. hat, coat and certificate with Flight Leaders Mike and Laurie Parsons, the smile on his face and tears in his eyes said it all,” Jeff Favaro said. “Again he said the same thing, ‘I can’t believe you guys came all the way down here to see me.’’”
Jeremy Favaro emphasized the importance of thanking Veterans.
“The smile on Mr. Perry’s face says it all, people don’t understand how much a simple ‘thank you for your service’ means to the men and women who have served and are currently serving our country.” Being able to do a little extra for Mr. Perry made our morning that much more special,” he said
Honor Flight Executive Officer Jerika Manning said no two veterans’ experiences on North Country Honor Flight are the same.
“Our goal is to make every flight the trip of a lifetime,” she said. “Thanks to the flight leaders and the Cadyville Fire Department for making Dale Perry’s special request to ride in a fire truck to the Honor Flight ceremony a reality! Community support makes these unforgettable moments possible.”
The trip to Washington D.C. with the Honor Flight was surreal according to Perry, who said, “I had never seen anything like it. I don’t know how they do what they do.”
Perry said witnessing the changing of the guard for the unknown soldier was a very special moment.
“That’s something I’ll never live down. That’s just something I’ll always remember. It was very special, and all the people that were there helping, the bus drivers, the ones who were taking care of us veterans. They were just very, very special and unique,” Perry said.
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