WWII veterans John “Lucky” Luckadoo talks and Reynaldo A. Rodriguez prepare for a ride in the B-24 Witchcraft. (Photo by Danny Fulgencio)
Today we honor veterans from our neighborhood and around the country who have risked and sacrificed so much. What follows are just a few ways Lake Highlands businesses and schools are shining a light on and thanking them (no, free pancakes won’t cut it, but it’s a start).
1. Presbyterian Village North: Unbreakable WWII veteran and other pilots welcome visitors and fans
WWII veteran John Luckadoo — who by sheer, gleeful happenstance I just figured out was featured in our WWII B-24 aircraft photo essay last year — completed 25 missions during his six years in the U.S. Air Force, a rare feat considering the average lifespan for a B17 airman was 11 missions. Once he completed those 25 runs, he returned to America and became a flight instructor teaching other young pilots how to survive in combat. He says that there was not much rhyme or reason for one person to survive and another to die. It was mostly a matter of luck, hence Mr. Luckadoo’s nickname “Lucky.” Lucky is a resident at Lake Highlands’ seemingly most awesome senior-living community, Presbyterian Village North, which is home to more than 85 veterans, plus an additional 55 women who are surviving spouses of veterans, according to staffer Lauren Witt. You could actually shake Lucky’s hand, and thank the other WWII vets in attendance (including members of the Happy Warriors — click and look them up) if you show up at the facility’s Veteran’s Day celebration at 10:30 a.m. at Presbyterian Village at 8600 Skyline Drive, near the Forest and Greenville intersections.
Richland students craft poppies for the veteran ceremony (Photo from Richland newsletter)
2. Richland College: Poppy exhibit memorializes WWI vets
In Flanders Field the poppies blow, between the crosses row by row … (John McCrae). Poppy flowers grow naturally in conditions of disturbed earth throughout Western Europe. In late 1914, battlefields were ripped as WWI raged. Once the conflict ended, the poppy was one of the only plants to grow on the otherwise barren battlefields. They were also known to grow around the bodies of fallen soldiers. Richland college students created and installed 5171 red ceramic poppies to honor the Texas servicemen who were killed during WWI. A single yellow poppy will be created to honor the only female who served and died during the war. A ceremony will take place at Fannin Hall at 10:30 a.m. Lake Highlands resident Robert J. Smith, II is the event’s Veteran of Honor; he will lay the final poppy into the display. Professor Clive Siegle (who we wrote about in November) will lecture on the history of poppies at 1:30 p.m. After the exhibit’s run, each poppy will be sold and proceeds will go to Puppies Behind Bars, an organization that teaches inmates to train service dogs for the disabled veterans with PTSD or other brain injuries.
Last Veterans Day servicemen and women visited Lake Highlands Elementary in RISD. (Photo by Angel Cochran)
3. Richardson ISD: Concerts and programs honor veterans
Among sundry lessons and activities occurring at schools this week related to Veterans Day, a number of campuses are holding public events, concerts and programs. School officials invite neighborhood residents to join students and staff in honoring neighborhood veterans. Two Lake Highlands-based events include a presentation at Moss Haven Elementary, 9202 Moss Farm, at 10:45 a.m. If you work during the day, a program at Northlake Elementary, 10059 Ravensway, begins at 6:30 p.m.
Lucky Ducky is owned by Lake Highlands businessman Marshall Hayes. (Submitted photo)
4. Lucky Ducky Lube Center: Vets enjoy free inspections
Lucky Ducky Lube Center in Lake Highlands, 10710 Audelia, will give free vehicle state inspections for all active members of the military and veterans.
Red, white and blue flapjacks from IHOP (ihop.com)
5. Neighborhood restaurants: Free food for veterans
Applebee’s, 6464 Northwest Highway, offers a special vets day menu featuring seven free entrees from which to choose. El Fenix, 3128 Forest Lane, offers one of six free Tex-Mex dinners, from enchilada plates to fajita salads. IHOP, 4040 Abrams, gives out a free stack of red, white and blue pancakes from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Outback Steakhouse, 9049 Vantage Point, offers a free Bloomin’ Onion appetizer and a free fountain drink.
Dallas Arboretum gardens open to vets, free. (Dallas Arboretum blog)
6. Dallas Arboretum: Free entry
The Dallas Arboretum is letting veterans and servicemen in free through Nov. 13. Just present your ID at the ticket booth. Of course, it’s the Arboretum, so regular parking fees do apply. All other events and offers take place Nov. 11.
Opening spread of the Lake Highlands Advocate November feature. (Photo by Danny Fulgencio)
And be sure to read our November cover story about the most recent generation of combat veterans.
