Lakeland Teenager Honors Vietnam Veteran

UPDATE

Lakeland teen, Vietnam veteran share memorable Honor Flight, visit to Vietnam Memorial

Lakeland teen surprises formerly homeless veteran with Honor Flight
WFLA 8 News
Melissa Marino
April 11, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) - An Army Veteran who spent years living on the streets in Lakeland is getting the trip of a lifetime, all thanks to a teen who has made it her mission to help him.

Vietnam Veteran William Dread, also known as Willie, and 17-year-old Emily Cornelius will take off on Wednesday on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. from the Lakeland Linder Airport.

Over the years, the pair has formed an unlikely bond.

"I decided I would go back on my military training and bought my tent and I just camped out," William Dread said.

He told WFLA that after serving as an officer in the Army, he fell on tough times. For years, the Vietnam Veteran lived on the streets of Lakeland.

But one moment changed his life forever.
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