Sen. Puller Sponsors Legislation Honoring Local Residents

Senator Linda “Toddy” Puller has sponsored legislation that honors two residents in the Fort Hunt and Mount Vernon area.

She presented a commending resolution, which was passed by the general assembly, to recognize Colonel Calude M. Schonberger, 89, a retired United States Air Force Reserve member.

She also presented a memorial resolution to the family of Patti Delano, an active volunteer in the Mount Vernon community.

The late Patti Delano “possessed of an outgoing manner and contagious energy,” said the text of the resolution. Delano worked for the American Horticultural Society, Friends of Mount Vernon, and the Potomac Riverkeeper, among others.

Her husband Jeff and children Kassen and Stephen received the resolution at a ceremony at Puller’s home. 

Schonberger received the U.S. Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross for his "heroism and extraordinary achievement" during World War II in 2010.

The then Liutenant Schonberger was flying a B-24 aircraft loaded with bombs when his aircraft took heavy enemy fire. He was blown away from the plane and able to parachute to the ground, but the U.S. Air Force listed him as missing in action.

He was later captured by the Nazis, interrogated at Nurember, and sent to a prison camp for the remainder of the war.  After the war, he returned to civilian life and worked as an air safety investigator for the Civil Aeronautics Board.