By Virginia Huie

I’ve spent a lot of time on planes, but the flight I took from Long Island to Washington, D.C. was unforgettable. The seats were filled with American heroes — 28 World War II veterans from Long Island flying to visit their memorial aboard Honor Flight.

My Honor Flight seatmate, Navy vet Bob Fritts

83-year-old Bob Fritts of Manorville was my seatmate.  The Navy vet served aboard an aircraft carrier and dodged Kamikaze plane attacks. Amazing stuff, and I couldn’t wait to hear about the stories in the seats around me.

The national World War II memorial was built in 2004 — some 60 years after the war ended.  Most of the veterans — now in their 80’s –  are physically or financially unable to swing a trip to see the memorial on their own. That didn’t sit well with Earl Morse. He’s a retired Air Force Captain from Ohio.  Morse founded Honor Flight, which provides free flights for vets to see the World War II Memorial.

National World War II Memorial

Today, Honor Flight offers vets free trips out of 30 states. Guardians help them navigate airport security and push wheelchairs. Private donations fund it all at a cost of about $250 per person.

Since it began 5 years ago, Honor Flight has brought 10,000 vets to see their memorial. But time truly is of the essence. About 1,000 WW II vets are dying every day across the country, and thousands are still waiting for trip.

I'm honored to be standing next to Army Cpl. Arthur Schmaeling of New Hyde Park

87-year-old Arthur Schmaeling of New Hyde Park considers himself one of the lucky ones.  Schmaeling made the trip with his two sons. Schmaeling says he was moved to tears by America’s Thank You for his service. He says he couldn’t help but think about his fallen comrades who didn’t get the chance to see the memorial.

85-year-old John Terrasi of West Hempstead says he was impressed with the memorial’s beauty and majesty.

Standing with a group of WW II heroes from Long Island. Lucky me

90-year-old Tony Varone of Kings Park called the memorial “something that reaches everybody’s heart.”

The Long Island WW II veterans were clearly touched by Honor Flight and the chance to see their memorial.  For these American war heroes, it was a trip long overdue and well-deserved.

Watch their incredible journey aboard Honor Flight on Wednesday, November 11th, on News 12 Long Island.

Thanks for reading my blog

By Virginia Huie

A battle to preserve open space is underway in Nassau County. At issue is nearly 4 acres of  the Roosevelt Preserve. Last month the county legislature voted to sell the land to Coleman Country Day Camp for $650,000.  Park advocates are outraged.  They say public park land shouldn’t be sold to private individuals.  “We have a $150,000 in bond issue out there to acquire more open space and take care of the open space. And here the county is trying to sell four acres to a private concern.  We think they’re basically wrong, ” says Bruce Piel of Park Advocacy & Recreation Council.

The county says the land had been leased to the camp for more than 30 years before it became a part of the preserve in 1989. And the country says having a lease agreement for 50 years did not make sense for the camp, or the county. “It was never used as part of the preserve. Never. It was always carved out. It was always used for the camp that, by the way, really does a lot for the community,” says Sean Rainey of Nassau County Department of Parks.

Some environmentalists plan to fight the sale by petitioning the State legislature to stop it. They say the piece of open space is worth fighting for. “Once it’s gone, you can’t get it back,” says Lisa Schary, environmentalist.

By: Virginia Huie

The team’s first baseman, Edy Lopez of Amityville, lost a leg while serving as a Naval flight director aboard the USS Independence in 1981.

The pitcher, Jason Soricelli of Selden, was paralyzed from the waist down in the dirt bike accident in 2004.

Other players on the NY Mets White team roster have sustained spinal cord injuries, or had limbs amputated.

Despite their disabilities, they’ve continued to play softball. Wheelchair softball.

The team recently showed their amazing athletic skill at the 9th Annual Major League Wheelchair Softball Tournament. It was held in the parking lot at Citi Field. The tournament brings together Major League-sponsored softball teams from around the country, including the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies.

Let me tell you — these guys play to win. The competition is intense. The batters — powerful. They have no problem knocking into each other as they round the bases to score for their team.

Wheelchair softball is played just like 16-inch, slow-pitch softball, but on an asphalt surface instead of fields. Bases and base lines are painted on the blacktop, and runners can tag the bases with their wheels or their hands.

Most fielders play barehanded so they can have both hands free to push themselves around. Many players bat one-handed because they can swing the bat more easily that way from a seated position. Others choose the more traditional batting grip, wrapping two hands around the bat handle.

It’s not as easy as it looks. When you’re sitting in a wheelchair on the softball field — it’s all about your arms and your will.

“We all sustained our injuries and we didn’t call it a day at that. We just kept pushing,” says Edy Lopez.

Wheelchair sports gave these disabled athletes a second chance to experience life victories. And the athletes give the game major league inspiration.

Watch the guys take the field in my special report, “Amazing Athletes,” Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Thanks for reading my blog:)

By Virginia Huie

There’s anger and there are questions at Hofstra University after a freshman admitted she lied about being gang raped on campus. Anger at 18-year-old Danmell Ndonye for a lie that landed 4 men in jail and sent fear throughout the University. Questions about why the accuser wasn’t immediately charged for lying.

Former Nassau prosecutor Marc Gann says there are several reasons why there isn’t a rush to judgment in Ndonye’s case.

“Given the way the investigation was initially handled by the police and perhaps there wasn’t a full and complete investigation done by them, my assumption is now everybody wants to step back, take a deep breath and make sure they’re dotting every “i” and crossing every “t” before charging her, ” says Gann.

Gann also says District Attorney Kathleen Rice may be taking Ndonye’s mental health into consideration.  “Her actions and demeanor suggest a very troubled young woman in need of some help, ” said Rice at a news conference Thursday.

Rice also said the case is still under investigation and hasn’t ruled out filing charges later.  Gann says the top charge Ndonye could face is “making a false statement” — a misdemeanor.  Gann says she’d probably get probation, not jail time.

Gann also said prosecutors may consider the public humiliation Ndonye is now facing as enough punishment.  That doesn’t sit well with Hofstra students I spoke with.  Here’s a sample of some reaction:

“If she didn’t lie in the first place then she wouldn’t be publicly embarrassed. She brought  all  this embarrassment to herself. Nobody else is to blame but her,” said Arabia-Iman Tillery.

“She should spend time in jail. She ruined these boys reputations. It’s going to be ruined and she made up a false story. So, to me she should be subject to criminal sentence for that,” said Jordan Lester.

What do you think?

By Virginia Huie

Tom Franklin has photographed major events worldwide. But on September 11, 2001 the Huntington native shot the photo of a lifetime. It’s the picture of three dust-covered firefighters hoisting an American flag amid the rubble of the World Trade Center.

I interviewed Franklin for a special report, which you can watch on News 12 Long Island on September 11.

Franklin was just doing his job as a staff photographer for “The Record” newspaper in New Jersey when he got the call that a plane struck the Twin Towers. He hustled to the scene aboard a tugboat. He says when he got off the boat he was in disbelief. Personal photos, financial reports, seat cushions and shoes littered the ground. People covered in dust. A huge plume of smoke enveloped the area where the World Trade Center once stood.

Franklin said he shot 1000 to 2000 photos. Pictures capturing death and destruction, fear and heartache.  It was emotional and gut-wrenching for the seasoned photographer. Franklin couldn’t help worrying about family and friends who worked in the area.  But he remained focused, knowing his job was to document this moment in history.

Shortly after 5 p.m., Franklin decided to take one more look at Ground Zero before heading back to New Jersey to make deadline. That’s when he saw an uplifting scene. Three firefighters were fumbling with a flag. Franklin said he knew it was going to be a good photograph, that they were going raise the flag. He shot a few photos and it was over in less than two minutes. Franklin says the firefighters never knew he was taking the pictures. But soon the world knew.  The picture appeared in numerous publications. It became an instant icon, reproduced on everything from stamps to snowglobes.

Franklin says the photo stood out because it’s a positive image from a tragic day. Unlike the photos of death and destruction, the flag-raising photo showed patriotism and the resilience of a wounded nation.  It was a tribute to all first responders who battled the unimaginable on 9/11.

Franklin says he almost lost the photo. He was using a digital camera and his initial frames were erased when he was shoved into a lamp post during the chaos at Ground Zero.

The postage stamp bearing Franklin’s photo raised over $10 million dolars for 9/11 families. Franklin says he’s proud of the photo, but he remains humble. “It’s definitely not about me. It’s about the firemen and all those innocent victims and this horrible day in our history, ” says Franklin.