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Harmonica Pete

On Sunday, November 11, 2019, 96-year-old World War II veteran Pete DuPré, better known as “Harmonica Pete,” performed his rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Madison Square Garden. DuPré was greeted with cheers and stood briefly from his wheelchair at center court although a silence overtook the crowd once he began to perform with members of the military close by and holding an American flag. There was a thunderous eruption of applause when the veteran hit the final note, and the Washington Post reported that more than 9 million people had watched video of the performance.

Knicks player RJ Barrett presented DuPré with a customized Knicks harmonica before the game. DuPré has actually performed the national anthem in a number of different sports settings, including a Minnesota Vikings-Oakland Raiders game this past September and a United States women’s national soccer team exhibition game against Mexico attended by more than 26,00 fans at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey in May.

After his wife of 70 years, Jane, died in 2014 at age 90, DuPré got involved in The Greatest Generations Foundation that honors veterans for their service and began performing at major military memorial services in Europe and the United States before thousands. His moments have included the 70th anniversary of the Siege of Bastogne and the 74th and 75th commemorations of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, including a rendition of “America The Beautiful” inside the USS Arizona Memorial that was widely shared on social media.

The Knicks stated that DuPré served as a medic in the United States Army 114th General Hospital Unit in Kidderminster, England, throughout World War II. He enlisted in the Army at 17 years of age after both of his parents died, and then served three years overseas. DuPré treated wounded soldiers at the Battle of the Bulge, a last-ditch effort by the Germans in the wake of D-Day to alter the course of the war, which he described as “an awful, awful thing.” 

“I am a harmonica player,” DuPré told The Washington Post. “I don’t know a darn thing about music, but I know how to make a harmonica talk.”

DuPré is a resident of Fairport, a small village east of Rochester. The village had a population of just over 5,000 people in 2010.

DuPré told the Post that he got his first harmonica in elementary school, and he turned to a new school’s harmonica band to make friends. He has now performed at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and he released a Christmas album entitled “A Christmas Gift for You from Harmonica Pete” last year. He also recorded an album of 40 pop hits.

Only about 1 million of the 16 million Americans that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says participated in World War II are still alive today. According to Forbes, about 340 WWII veterans die every day. DuPré expressed his gratitude in being a WWII survivor, describing his time as being very valuable to him.

DuPré was invited to the 50th anniversary of Charlie Company in Las Vegas and played taps as names of the deceased who served in the Vietnam War infantry unit were read. He is also a regular at airport receptions welcoming home veterans on Honor Flight trips to Washington, D.C., stating that many veterans coming back during the Vietnam War did not get such a reception, and the effects of the crowds on returning veterans can be profound.

DuPré now owns several dozen harmonicas, including one purchased 50 years ago for $18.50. The iconic Hohner company presented him with two harmonicas valued at $400 each in 2016.

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A Purr-fect Ending: How Paradise, California, United to Find Dundee the Cat

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In Paradise, California, a community came together to find a much-loved cat named Dundee, who had survived the devastating 2018 Camp Fire. Dundee’s adventure began when his owner, Suise Heffernan, took him to the vet. After the appointment, she stopped to get pet food, locking her truck with Dundee inside. But when she returned, the truck and Dundee were gone.

Surveillance footage from a nearby store showed someone breaking into the vehicle and driving off with Dundee still inside. Heffernan was especially worried because Dundee has a thyroid condition and needed his medication.

The whole community of Paradise stepped up to help find Dundee. After four long days, their efforts paid off, and Dundee was found. Heffernan had adopted Dundee in 2018, just before the Camp Fire. She lost her home, a barn, and hundreds of acres of timber in the fire. Despite being displaced, Dundee transformed from a feral cat into a warm and cuddly companion.

One community member pleaded, “Just return the cat! Trucks can be replaced, and anyone living on the ridge has lost so much already.” Heffernan shared her agony over not knowing Dundee’s whereabouts, a feeling she knew all too well from losing another cat in the Camp Fire.

Heffernan and her friends, along with independent volunteers, continued their search. Finally, on Saturday, they received a call from someone who had Dundee. A group drove to Chico that evening, where Heffernan was reunited with Dundee, who started purring immediately.

Heffernan expressed her gratitude for the community’s support: “There’s something about the people – they just come together and they are there for you. I just can’t even imagine the hours that people that I’ll never meet put in on his behalf. It is so appreciated.”

This heartwarming story showcases the power of community and the unbreakable bond between humans and their pets.

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Texas Zoo Fits Grasshopper with Miniature “Neck Brace”

Amanda J

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In a remarkable display of veterinary ingenuity, a grasshopper at a Texas zoo was fitted with a miniature “neck brace” after experiencing a unique health issue. The grasshopper, a stick-like breed known as a Peruvian jumping stick, recently underwent a common process for insects: molting. At around six months old, these grasshoppers shed their exoskeleton, allowing for growth. However, this particular grasshopper faced a challenge after molting.

According to a recent zoo blog post, the grasshopper had a weakened area around part of its body resembling a “neck” due to a crease in its thoracic region. This crease caused its head to flop backward when climbing upwards, as these grasshoppers spend most of their time in tree branches.

To address this issue, zookeepers developed a miniature neck brace to temporarily support the insect’s neck in a neutral position while its exoskeleton hardened. The brace was created using a sterile Q-tip shaft and microspore tape to secure it. This innovative solution allowed the grasshopper to continue its normal activities without further injury.

The zoo emphasized the importance of providing exceptional care to all its animals, regardless of their size. “Whether it’s a mammal, reptile, bird, or even insect, all of our animals receive extraordinary care from our veterinary team, no matter how big or small it may be,” the zoo stated.

This story highlights the dedication of zookeepers and veterinarians to the well-being of all creatures in their care and showcases the creative approaches they take to ensure the health and safety of even the smallest residents.

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The Incredible Journey of Ullr: A Dog’s Survival After an Avalanche

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In a story that sounds like it’s straight out of a movie, a dog named Ullr, who had been missing for almost a year, was finally spotted alive and well. Ullr, a mix of Border Collie and Rottweiler, had been living in the wild all by himself after surviving an avalanche. For Jacob Dalbey, Ullr’s owner, this news was the light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel.

Jacob Dalbey’s world turned upside down on March 17, when he was caught in an avalanche near Chair Mountain while skiing with friends. The terrifying incident left Jacob seriously injured and hospitalized, and tragically, one of his friends did not survive. Amidst the chaos, Ullr, who was with them, ran away from the avalanche site. Rescue teams later found dog tracks leading away from the debris, sparking hope that Ullr had survived.

For 341 days, Jacob never gave up hope of finding his beloved pet. He set up trail cameras and left food in various locations, hoping to lure Ullr into view. And then, on a day that seemed like any other, the unimaginable happened. Ullr was captured on a trail camera not once, but two days in a row. “After 341 days, 11 months to the day…it has happened,” Jacob shared on his GoFundMe page, a platform where he had been updating supporters and raising funds to aid in the search for Ullr.

The joy and relief in Jacob’s message were palpable as he thanked his friends and supporters for their unwavering belief and support. “Knowing you believe in us really means a lot,” he wrote, acknowledging the tough journey and the difference their support made.

Jacob’s next steps are focused on bringing Ullr safely back home. In the meantime, he has asked for the community’s help in keeping an eye out for any signs of Ullr, including pawprints, barking, or sightings.

Jacob’s harrowing experience during the avalanche, where he was buried under the snow for over three hours with a broken hand and frostbitten fingers, adds a layer of awe to Ullr’s survival story. Jacob’s determination to dig himself out and survive mirrored Ullr’s own fight for survival in the wild.

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A Newspaper Carrier Who Saved a Home from Fire

Liz L

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In the quiet early hours of a St. Petersburg morning, an ordinary newspaper carrier named Josh Herring became a hero in the most unexpected way. At 3 AM, while most of the neighborhood was still fast asleep, Josh Herring was on his usual newspaper delivery route for the Tampa Bay Times when he stumbled upon a life-threatening situation that would change the course of a woman’s life.

The woman in question, Pam Smith, had no idea that her house was in imminent danger. The fire that had started on her deck was silently spreading, a threat lurking just outside her doorstep. It was Josh Herring, her dedicated newspaper carrier, who turned out to be her guardian angel that night.

As the flames inched closer to her home, Pam Smith was startled awake by a persistent banging on her front door. Wondering who could be at her door at such an hour, the 75-year-old approached cautiously. From the other side, a man’s voice rang out, “Pam, I’m your paper man, and your deck’s on fire!” She swung the door open, and to her horror, she saw the deck ablaze, with the flames threatening to engulf her house.

Without a moment to lose, Josh Herring sprang into action. He rushed to the nearest hose, which luckily was within reach, and began spraying water on the fire. In a state of panic, Pam Smith joined him, taking turns to battle the flames that seemed determined to devour her home. Together, they fought tirelessly for 45 minutes until the fire was finally extinguished.

Pam Smith, still shaken by the ordeal, couldn’t find enough words to express her gratitude to Josh Herring. With tears in her eyes, she said to him, “If you never stopped by, I might not be here today. I might not have my house.” Her heartfelt words conveyed the immense impact of Josh’s heroic act.

Josh Herring, a humble newspaper carrier who had been faithfully delivering papers for six years, downplayed his actions. He explained that it was purely coincidental that he had decided to make Pam Smith’s house the first stop along his delivery route that day. Had he chosen to start his route in reverse, it would have taken him about three hours to reach Smith’s residence.

Pam Smith’s response to this revelation was profound. She said, “Just to think, if I had never ordered the paper. I love the paper, and I will order the paper until I die.” Her unwavering loyalty to the Tampa Bay Times had led to this fateful encounter, where the simple act of ordering a newspaper had unknowingly brought her a real-life hero in the form of Josh Herring.

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Florida Man Plays Guitar During His Own Brain Surgery

Sarrah M

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In an extraordinary medical procedure, Christian Nolen, a man from Florida, played the guitar during his brain surgery at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. This unique approach helped doctors protect critical areas of his brain while they removed a tumor.

Why Play Guitar During Surgery?

The surgery was conducted while Nolen was awake. This method is used to continuously monitor a patient’s brain functions during the operation. Nolen was asked to play the guitar to give the surgical team real-time feedback on his motor skills. This was crucial because Nolen’s tumor was in his right frontal lobe, an area that controls important functions, including hand movement.

The Discovery of the Tumor

Nolen’s journey began when he noticed issues with his left hand while playing guitar. This symptom led to the discovery of the brain tumor. Only ten days later, he was in surgery to have it removed.

The Surgical Procedure

The surgery started with Nolen under general anesthesia. Then, for a critical part of the two-hour operation, he was awakened and asked to play the guitar. “Upon awakening, it was quite overwhelming to see everything around me and to fight the natural reaction to sit up,” Nolen recalled.

A Critical Moment

During the surgery, the doctors noticed that Nolen’s hand function began to decline as they were removing the tumor. The tumor was affecting the part of the brain that controls hand movements. Thankfully, the doctors were able to remove the entire tumor without injuring Nolen’s hand.

Unique Aspects of Awake Brain Surgery

During an awake craniotomy, patients can engage in activities that don’t increase pressure in the head. Dr. Komotar, part of the surgical team, mentioned that some patients even sing during brain surgery. This helps the surgeons assess their language capabilities while removing tumors from areas associated with language.

A Successful Outcome

Christian Nolen’s story is not just about the removal of a brain tumor; it’s about the incredible advances in medical science and the human spirit’s resilience. Playing the Deftones and System of a Down on his guitar during brain surgery, Nolen not only aided his medical team but also demonstrated an inspiring strength and courage.

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