Ossining's Paolantonio, 92, Takes Honor Flight

CORTLANDT, N.Y. – Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell recently accompanied U.S. Army veteran Victor Paolantonio on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, Yorktown Councilman Dr. Terrence Murphy and County Executive MaryEllen Odell gather around Army Veteran Victor Paolantonio in Washington D.C.
Photo Credit: *Contributed.*

by Stephanie Mojica

10/28/2014 6:00 a.m.

Paolantonio, 92, of Ossining, has lived at the New York State Veterans Home in Montrose since early September. He served during World War II.

Odell was selected in early October to act as Paolantonio’s guardian for the Oct. 18 Hudson Valley Honor Flight (HVHF) leaving from the Westchester County Airport. This was Odell’s third flight as an escort for an area World War II veteran.

The organization hopes to eventually offer similar opportunities to veterans of the Korean War and the Vietnam War, HVHF executive director Becky Boone said in a news release.

“We transport our World War II heroes whose average age is 90-plus years old, to Washington, D.C. at no cost to them so they can visit and reflect at the WWII Memorial and at the Iwo Jima Memorial,” Boone said.

After returning, Paolantonio told Emily, his wife of 62 years, that the trip was “the best day of his life.”

“Spending the day with Victor was an absolute delight,” Odell said in a news release.

“He was so thrilled to be going on this trip. These elderly veterans certainly deserve the attention and adulation they get on an Honor Flight.”

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