Retired Fighter Pilot In Herndon Gets A Drive-By Birthday Parade On 100th Birthday

Retired Air Force Col. Robert A. Shawn of Herndon recently turned 100 years old. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Loudoun County Post #1177. Shawn's comrades at the Post could not let one of their fellow defenders of freedom go without recognition on his momentous day, COVID-19 or not. Philip Rusciolelli, Past Commander of VFW Post 1177 said, "He's the heart of our Post".

According to Herndon Connection, "Post members are veterans who served in one or more of the United States military actions – World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, actions in Bosnia and other distant places, and most recently, during the current Global War on Terror. They organized the drive-by caravan parade to honor the colonel. "We love Colonel Bob," said Richard Bruns Post Senior Vice Commander, adding, "He is one of the few World War II survivors." As per Herndon Connection, "Shortly before 5:30 the evening of May 6, Retired Col. Shawn, the fighter pilot who flew a reported 328 missions during his 30-year career spanning World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam Conflict sat at the end of his driveway with wife, Julia Shawn, beside him. For more than a half-hour, a reported 120 vehicles decorated with homemade banners and signs, American flags and birthday wishes, slowly drove by his Herndon home. Police cruisers from the Herndon and Fairfax County Police Departments and others joined."

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