Bill Thorpe
A baby boomer and a “Car Nutz” columnist for The Southsider Voice, Bill Thorpe was born in May 1946 to William and Ruth Thorpe of Philadelphia.
After graduating from high school he enlisted in the Naval Air Force and served from 1965-69. He spent two years at Cubi Point Air Station at the edge of Naval Base Subic Bay in the Philippines.
As a crewman serving aboard Grumman S-2 Trackers, Thorpe delivered mail and medical supplies to aircraft carriers in the 7th Fleet and several bases in South Vietnam. “I really enjoyed landing and taking off on the aircraft carriers,” he recalled. “That’s a thrill that a lot of people can’t experience.”
After serving his country he earned education degrees from Lock Haven State College and Slippery Rock University. He moved to Indianapolis in 1978 and retired from Perry Township Schools in 2010.
He and his wife, Lynn, raised two children and have one granddaughter.
After graduating from high school he enlisted in the Naval Air Force and served from 1965-69. He spent two years at Cubi Point Air Station at the edge of Naval Base Subic Bay in the Philippines.
As a crewman serving aboard Grumman S-2 Trackers, Thorpe delivered mail and medical supplies to aircraft carriers in the 7th Fleet and several bases in South Vietnam. “I really enjoyed landing and taking off on the aircraft carriers,” he recalled. “That’s a thrill that a lot of people can’t experience.”
After serving his country he earned education degrees from Lock Haven State College and Slippery Rock University. He moved to Indianapolis in 1978 and retired from Perry Township Schools in 2010.
He and his wife, Lynn, raised two children and have one granddaughter.
Bill Thorpe served as a crewman aboard Grumman S-2 Trackers.
Ernest Sears
Ernest Sears, who attended Manual High School, served in the Navy from 1952-54 and completed basic training at Fort Knox, Ky.
“I chauffeured a colonel during part of my enlistment,” he said, “and I liked that.”
Hughes is a retired roofer and sheet metal worker from Local Union No. 20.
He has four children, a lot of grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Sears stays in touch with about eight of his Army buddies, and they go out to eat twice a year.
“I chauffeured a colonel during part of my enlistment,” he said, “and I liked that.”
Hughes is a retired roofer and sheet metal worker from Local Union No. 20.
He has four children, a lot of grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Sears stays in touch with about eight of his Army buddies, and they go out to eat twice a year.
Veterans can eat for free
O’Charley’s Restaurant & Bar at 6930 S. Emerson Ave. will serve free $9.99 meals to all veterans who show military identification on Veterans Day Friday.
The menu includes a variety of chicken dishes and other entrees.
“We are thankful for the opportunity to show our appreciation to the military,” said Eddie Hall, restaurant president. “Supporting the military is very important to us and something we are committed to doing yearlong.”
Last year the company served more than 58,000 complimentary meals to veterans at 200 restaurants.
The menu includes a variety of chicken dishes and other entrees.
“We are thankful for the opportunity to show our appreciation to the military,” said Eddie Hall, restaurant president. “Supporting the military is very important to us and something we are committed to doing yearlong.”
Last year the company served more than 58,000 complimentary meals to veterans at 200 restaurants.
VFW post will honor veterans
Greenwood Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5864, 333 S. Washington St., will honor all veterans – particularly those who served in Vietnam – with a free meal and entertainment at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. This year marks the 50th anniversary of veterans who arrived in Vietnam in 1966.
The United States had around 21,000 advisers in Vietnam just before the beginning of ground operations. On March 8, 1965, 3,500 Marines from the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade landed in Da Nang.
Other combat troops arrived shortly thereafter from the 173 Airborne Brigade, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division and elements of the 1st Cavalry Division.
The VFW – through the Department of Defense’s Vietnam War Commemoration Partnership Program – is working in area communities to recognize the sacrifice, service and tremendous contributions Vietnam War veterans have made to the country.
The United States had around 21,000 advisers in Vietnam just before the beginning of ground operations. On March 8, 1965, 3,500 Marines from the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade landed in Da Nang.
Other combat troops arrived shortly thereafter from the 173 Airborne Brigade, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division and elements of the 1st Cavalry Division.
The VFW – through the Department of Defense’s Vietnam War Commemoration Partnership Program – is working in area communities to recognize the sacrifice, service and tremendous contributions Vietnam War veterans have made to the country.
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