105-year-old veteran travels to Washington DC to see memorials
Veterans from Western Pennsylvania — including one 105-year-old World War II veteran — traveled to Washington D.C. on Saturday, Sept. 20, to see the memorials that were built in honor of their service.
Nicholas P Scarlatelli, born May 26, 1920, was among the two busloads veterans who spent the day at the nation’s capital via a trip led by Honor Flight Pittsburgh.
Scarlatelli is a lifelong resident of Carrick and the last active WWII member of VFW Post 1810 in Brentwood.
In October 1941, Scarlatelli enlisted in the Army Air Core. He was sworn in at Fort George Mead near Baltimore, then was moved to Tallahassee Florida into the 3rd Air Force, 53rd Fighter Squadron where he started bootcamp and then prematurely deployed out from Savannah, Georgia due to escalation of the war.
While serving, he was promoted to ‘Flight Chief Mechanic Staff Sargent.’
He served in Panama with the 3rd Air Force 53rd Fighter Squadron, before returning to USAAF base at Thomasville, Georgia in 1943 where he continued aircraft support and trained armament technicians until his honorable discharge in November 1945.
When he returned to civilian life, he worked in construction as master mechanic, heavy equipment operator, welder, and job foreman for over 50 years under Local 66 Operating Engineers.
Honor Flight Pittsburgh aims to honor American war veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by taking them free of charge to Washington, D.C.
The buses returned Saturday evening to North Way Christian Community Church in Wexford.
