Gentlemen, my sister-in-law, Jess Borg, who photographed the event, sometimes submits photos and stories to the local newspaper, the Roslyn News. She sent me the following article she is submiting about Mr. Glick:
LOCALS HONOR FLYING TIGER
Photos and Text by Jessica Borg
Our nation’s greatest living natural treasure, the few surviving men and women who served in World War II, is swiftly dwindling in number as we approach the 70th Anniversary of our entry into the War. This weekend, some residents of the Roslyn area took the opportunity to honor a local member of this “Greatest Generation”, Flying Tiger Lenny Glick, who served under Claire Chenault in the U.S. Army Air Corps. in China after the AVG had been re-absorbed into the U.S. Army Air Corps., 14th Air Force. Mr. Glick served in the 51st Pursuit Group, one of the 14th Air Force squadrons to bear the "Flying Tigers" name, from 1943 through 1945, fighting the Japanese from airfields in China and India.
A chance meeting gave rise to this opportunity to appreciate a real American Hero. As local attorney and amateur historian Louis Badolato was waiting to pull into a parking space at the local Pathmark at Wheatley Plaza last month, on a routine errand, he noticed that the car pulling into the space opposite mine had "FlynTigr" as a license plate. The elderly gentleman who exited the vehicle, Lenny Glick, had on a red "Flying Tiger" baseball cap, with several service pins on it.
Mr. Badolato introduced himself to Mr. Glick, and asked if he was a Flying Tiger. He said yes, and Mr. Badolato thanked him for his service. Mr. Badolato, who keeps a "shrine" in his home commemorating the service of the Allied Forces, especially his own deceased uncles, asked if Mr. Glick would stop by.
When Mr. Glick visited on January 30th, Mr. Badolato and area business man Rich Schuster presented Mr. Glick with a museum quality autographed replica of the P40 Tomahawk Fighter piloted by famous Flying Tiger squadron leader and ace Dick Rossi. Mr. Glick seemed particularly touched when Mr. Badolato’s four year old son Alec thanked him for his service. Mr. Badolato stated that it was an honor to show his appreciation to the veterans who gave so much to all of us, while simultaneously affording his children the opportunity to meet these great men before they are gone. He urged that anyone who knows a veteran, be it of WWII or a more recent conflict, take a few moments to just say thank you for their service. It only takes a couple of seconds, and you will never know how much it will be appreciated.
