World War II vet recovers lost bomber jacket, and more

World War II vet recovers lost bomber jacket

When John Dodds found a World War II bomber jacket in a Washington, D.C., thrift store, his interest was piqued. The Air Force lawyer noticed that the jacket still had its original owner’s name emblazoned on the chest: “Robert G. Arand.” Within little more than a day, Dodds managed to track down the now 90-year-old Arand, who flew more than 40 missions in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan during WWII. The retired major will now get back his prized jacket, lost for over 60 years. “My children and grandchildren are anxious to see it,” he said.

Locals raise money for general store

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The residents of a small town in Vermont have raised $500,000 to reopen a historic general store in the heart of their community. The Barnard General Store had served the residents of Barnard, Vt., since 1832, but was forced to close last year when its owners ran into financial trouble. The locals didn’t want to lose it, so they raised half a million dollars to buy and operate the property through a trust. This month, new managers Joe Minerva and Jillian Bradley re-opened the store’s doors again, ensuring that its 180-year history will continue. “We want to be here for a long time,” said Bradley.

Star athlete forgoes championship game

A star college athlete has turned down a chance at sporting glory to donate bone marrow to a stranger. Cameron Lyle, a shot-putter at the University of New Hampshire, added his DNA to the federal bone marrow registry two years ago and promptly forgot about it. But this month, he discovered his marrow matched that of a 28-year-old leukemia sufferer, a roughly one in 5 million match. Now, instead of going to next month’s American East Championships, Lyle will help save the life of a man he will likely never meet. “I would love to give him a shot,” he said.