Resilient Pilot Reaches 100
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Episode #511 of Hometown Heroes, airing February 16-18, 2018 focuses on centenarians. Only 2 out of every 10,000 Americans makes it to the age of 100. We lost two amazing treasures from that category in the last week, but we’ll add another amazing veteran to the club in the week ahead.
Pearl Harbor survivor Jim Downing finished his race February 13 at the age of 104 in Colorado Springs, CO. His book, The Other Side of Infamy, paints an incredible picture, not only of December 7, 1941, but of a remarkable life that spanned so many global changes.
Bataan Death March survivor Julio Barela died February 12 at the age of 101.
In Las Cruces, NM on February 19, the amazing life of Julio Barela will be celebrated. A Bataan Death March survivor who shared his story on episode #114 of Hometown Heroes in 2010, passed away February 12 at the age of 101.
On February 21, Col. Robert Thacker (USAF retired) will eclipse the century mark, and a life marked by courage and resilience will add another chapter. Thacker, who would become a record-breaking test pilot after completing tours as a bomber pilot in both the Pacific and European Theaters of World War II, survived another harrowing close call on December 17, 2017.
Robert Thacker recovering after being hit by an SUV while crossing the street.(Photo by Fred Swegles, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Ever since my yo-yo champion of southern California in 1932,” you’ll hear Thacker say. “I’ve been a lucky guy.”
For now, Thacker has to rely on a walker for stability, and he requires 24-hour home care. He holds out hope that he may soon return to radio-controlled model airplane competitions. Thacker expects more than 100 people at his home for a 100th birthday celebration, and his accomplishments throughout that century of life are certainly worth celebrating. Growing up in El Centro, CA, Thacker remembers being fascinated by reports of Charles Lindbergh’s trans-Atlantic crossing in the 1927.
“I was bitten,” explains of the “flying bug” that took hold of his attention at age 9. “That’s what I’m going to do when I’m a little older.”
Robert Thacker as a young Army Air Corps pilot
Another great Hero. My Dad was on the Island as a young man of 17, he enlisted on Dec, 17, 1941, there was a long line.
Thank you thacker.
My Uncle, retired Colonel Kenneth Glassburn, who flew on D-Day dropping troops and shot down will be turning 100 on April 21 in Salinas, CA.