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ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
Church’s Christmas bazaar PAGE
Sonoran Arts League ‘to-dos’
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TheFoothillsFocus.com
INSIDE
This Week
Cave Creek - Carefree Area Edition
NEWS ................. 7
BUSINESS ......... 14 CCUSD recognizes all of Kiwanis of Carefree’s support
FEATURES ........ 15 American Legion Post 34 plans craft fair and bake sale
OPINION ................... 10 BUSINESS ................. 14 FEATURES ................ 15 YOUTH ...................... 25 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 26 2
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Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Unsung Vietnam War heroes: Flight attendants BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer
Healing of Memories workshop Nov. 14
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Serving the communities of Cave Creek and Carefree
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hen Anthem resident Melani Abbott joined Pan-American airlines in 1964, she was hired as a �light attendant. Besides serving hot towels and meals, she and the crew spent about two and a half years ferrying soldiers in and out of Vietnam during the war, and made sure they received more than �irst class service. “I was a �light attendant with Pan-American world airlines in 1965. Most people don’t know, but Pan-Am helped the government during the Vietnam War,” she said. “They �lew �lights and only charged the
government $1 per �light. We were taking soldiers in and out of Vietnam and we took them on their RNRs, we fed them �ilet mignon and all the ice cream and milk they could drink.” This was not the �irst time Pan-Am had assisted in a war effort, as it was involved in World War II and the Korean con�lict. During the Vietnam War, Pan-Am made no pro�it from the services related to the war. While they only charged the government $1 a month, Pan-Am reports show the cost was around $2.8 million. More than the tangible and �inancial perks, the airline crew had an enormous impact on the mental and emotional well-being of the troops. Abbott recalled encour-
aging those who were arriving and telling them, “Stay safe and come back to us.” For the troops coming home, the airline was the �irst to welcome them and thank them. PanAm also had an exclusive contract with the government to take active duty members for rest and rehabilitation. “It was just a sense of appreciation for their service,” Abbott said. “We knew they had a tough road ahead when we took them over and we were only too pleased to help them on their RNRs, their rest and recuperation, because they had to go back into that hell hole after. And it was always joyous, of course, when they were coming home. We certainly appreciated their effort and their sacri�ice.”
see WAR HEROES page 4
Vice Mayor Crane awarded DAR Medal of Honor BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF
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arefree Vice Mayor John Crane was awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor on Oct. 25 by the Black Mountains Foothills Chapter. More than 80 people honored Crane with an award ceremony at the Cave Creek Museum and a lunch at the Tonto Bar & Grill.
see CRANE page 6
Attendees say the Pledge of Allegiance during a ceremony to honor Carefree Vice Mayor John Crane at the Cave Creek Museum. The Sons of the American Revolution provided the color guard. (Photo courtesy of DAR)
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