Westfield resident and WWII veteran RIchard “Dick” Trusty is one of five veterans to be honored at the Lincoln Day Brunch on Feb. 15. (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – Lifelong Westfield resident and WWII veteran Richard “Dick” Trusty is one of five veterans to be honored by the Westfield Republican Committee at its Annual Lincoln Day Brunch.
The brunch is Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. at East Mountain Country Club. Trusty was nominated by American Legion Post 454.
Trusty was born in Westfield in 1928. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1945. After completing training at Camp Peary in Williamsburg, Virginia, Trusty was assigned to Airship Wing 1, Blimp Squadron, ZP-12 at Lakehurst, New Jersey.
US Navy “lighter than air” dirigibles were used primarily for anti-submarine patrols and convoy escort duty along the eastern coastline of the United States during World War ll. A fleet of 134 “K type” airships escorted 89,000 ships during the war. Not one ship was lost.
Blimp landing. (Photo submitted)
Goodyear built the ZNPK-28 (K-28) “Puritan” airship control car, on which Trusty served, in 1942. Many years later, it was discovered in an Akron, Ohio dump and brought to the New England Air Museum at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut and restored. It is the only World War II style K-ship control car in the world. During the restoration it was discovered to be the K-28, the actual airship that Petty Officer Trusty served on during the war.
After the war, Trusty served in US Navy Reserve from 1949 to 1955, and Barnes Airport Navy Squadron from 1950 to 1952.
A lifelong resident of Westfield, he was co-owner of Young & Trusty Tile Co. He served as a member of the Flood Control Commission and Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 110. He has been a member of American Legion Post 454 for 70 years where he served as Past Commander and is a life member of Veteran of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Vets, Patrol Craft Sailors Association and member of the Naval Airship Association. He is Past President of the Westfield Veterans Council, a member of the Westfield Sportsman’s Club and Mount Moriah Lodge of Masons.
Westfield Republican Committee Chair Dan Allie said that city veteran’s organizations are recommending five veterans to be recognized by the entire community at the Lincoln Day Brunch for their service to their country, community and other veterans.
“It is a remarkable experience for me to collect the history, photos, memories and service records of those brave men and women who have served our nation so nobly, and contributed so much to our community and our fellow veterans daily, often unsung and unseen. It is a privilege to honor them,” Allie said, adding that the name of each veteran to be honored will be released as his or her information is received and completed.
Mayor Donald F. Humason Jr. will be the Master of Ceremony at the Lincoln Day Brunch, which the public is invited to attend.
Tickets are $30 and should be reserved by emailing your name and number of tickets to Bill Schneeloch at [email protected] or calling 860-604-5264. Tickets will be available at the door.
Any veteran or resident who wishes to attend, but for whom cost is an issue, may contact [email protected] to request a reduced or complimentary ticket based on need.
