Free Republic

Richard Thill survived Pearl Harbor and waited 73 years for an ovation many of his comrades would never hear. So a stubbornly long New York Jets drive and icy wind at TCF Bank Stadium could not ruin his moment. The Vikings salute military veterans during the first television timeout of the second quarter each home game. Thill was a special honoree Sunday, Dec. 7 -- a solemn anniversary in U.S. history, one he hopes never fades from memory. The 91-year-old St. Paul native was introduced with a video tribute that included an interview and familiar black-and-white newsreels that showed the...

Richard Thill's high school education was interrupted by the largest war the world had ever seen. But Wednesday — almost 70 years later — it came full-circle for Thill, when he was awarded an honorary diploma from Humboldt Senior High School. The honor came as a surprise to Thill, and he was visibly grateful — his voice began to shake, tears welled in his eyes. It was something he had been thinking about for a very long time. 'I'm really proud — boy, you can't believe,' said Thill, 85, holding the diploma. 'I'm going to frame this and have it...