A soon-to-be centenarian and veteran of the Second World Conflict is about to stroll 100 kilometres to elevate funds for homeless veterans.
Tom Hennessy of London, Ont. served within the Royal Air Power (RAF). He flew 200 hours within the famed Supermarine Spitfire fighter over the fight theatres of the North Atlantic, England, Mediterranean and Italy.
He says ability, however major success stored him alive.
“You may’t dodge ack ack [antiaircraft gunfire] that's arising at you. It’s a whole lot of luck, the one which doesn’t hit you,” mentioned Hennessy.
Whereas he survived, the warfare stayed with him. “After which the tears got here,” he mentioned.
Tom Hennessy through the Second World Conflict. (Supply: Submitted)
As he stood close to the Cenotaph in London’s Victoria Park, he mirrored on these not sofortunate.
“My brother didn’t come again. And I remembered Gill didn’t come again, Invoice didn’t come again, Mac and Jake didn’t come again.”
However 76 years later, on the eve of his a centesimal birthday, Tom is strolling 100 kilometres to assist these nonetheless right here.A lot of these kilometres might be logged publicly whereas looping Victoria Park. Every step might be a fundraiser for homeless veterans.
“And, I so glad to capable of be wholesome sufficient to do it,” Hennessy expressed.
Tom Hennessy is seen whereas serving with the Royal Air Power within the Second World Conflict. (Supply: Submitted)
Randy Warden, a Zone Commander with the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) says Tom’s “selfless act” will support many younger veterans in dire want.
“The homeless veteran downside is perpetual, it’s ongoing. If we had each veteran off the road at this time, somebody goes to run into challenges tomorrow,” Warden mentioned.
Bruce Inventory, a Veteran and RCL member, is aiding Tom with the stroll.
“I feel all of us agree the general public is prepared for some excellent news. And Tom Hennessy’s Stroll of Gratitude is nice information in spades,” he defined.
Excellent news, which Tom reiterates traces again to the gratitude he has for surviving a warfare that so many didn’t.
Bruce Inventory (L) and Randy Warden (R) of the Royal Canadian Legion, be a part of Tom Hennessy and his spouse Joyce in Victoria Park on Could 19, 2022. (Sean Irvine/CTV Information)“Right here I'm speaking to you 70 or 80 years later. Discuss Gratitude,” mentioned Hennessy.
The Stroll of Gratitude will happen at Victoria Park on three consecutive Tuesdays, beginning June 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
He plans to log a lot of his kilometres on the park and a few at his cottage in Huron County.
The ultimate kilometre might be recorded at London’s Canada Day festivities.
Throughout all his walks, Tom might be joined by Air Cadets. Members of the general public are additionally inspired to hitch him at Victoria Park.
(Supply: Go Fund Me)
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