Vietnam
Helicopter
Pilot
It was all about joy and surprise late Wednes-
day night when Villager and Army veteran
William “Bill” Shawn returned home after
taking part in a Villages Honor Flight.
The retired lieutenant colonel, who did two
tours of duty during the Vietnam War as a
helicopter pilot, served on active duty for
just under 37 years. He was all smiles as he
stepped off the bus after spending the day in
Washington, D.C., visiting Arlington National
Cemetery and various war memorials. But
unbeknownst to him, family members from
several states were waiting in the crowd to be
a part of his special day.
“This was one of the best days of my life,”
said the Village of Pine Ridge resident, who
is known throughout Florida’s Friendliest
Hometown for the Cobra Gunship helicopter
golf cart he built to pay tribute to his fellow
pilots and crewmembers. “It was unbeliev-
able and fantastic. That’s about all you can
say.”
Shawn added that he and the other 57 veter-
ans were treated like royalty everywhere they
went in our nation’s capital.
“You can’t explain it. You have to experience
it,” he said, adding that he thoroughly en-
joyed getting to known veterans he hadn’t
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WWW.GOLFCAROPTIONS.COM
Known for ‘Cobra’
golf cart makes
most of Honor
Flight experience
met before. “We just had a blast together.”
Moments later, a beaming Shawn was getting
a big hug from his granddaughter, Jessica
Skoda, who made the trip from Atlanta.
“This is so special and we’re really excited for
him,” she said. “Honor Flight is an absolute
honor for him.”
Shawn’s son, David, and his daughter, Kathy
Skoda, also were among the contingent that
came in for the ultimate surprise.
“Growing up, I was proud of his military
service, but also as a father,” said David, of
Ozark, Ala. “But supporting him is what this is
about for me.”
Kathy Skoda, also of Ozark, agreed.
“We’re really, really proud of him, as a person
and a father and a veteran,” she said.
Shawn’s wife, Lynn, who orchestrated the
clandestine influx of family members, stood
back and took it all in as her husband was
hugged time and time again.
“This is fantastic, a great honor,” she said. “He
was tremendously excited.”