10 Good News Stories: WWII Vet Graduates HS; Rapunzel Gifts Hair

ACROSS AMERICA — Amid the ongoing cycle of post-election finger-pointing and divisive politics, the United States commemorated Veterans Day this week. Every veteran made a sacrifice, and every veteran has a story — moments of joy, honor and accomplishment that provide lessons for us all.

The story of World War II veteran Eliodoro "Lolo" Gonzalez is one of those lessons. At 95 years old, Gonzalez, whose formal education came to an end after eighth grade, proved it’s never too late to get your high school diploma.

Gonzalez was one of 11 California veterans to receive their diploma, along with congratulatory commendations from local legislators, ahead of Veterans Day. By Toni McAllister for Murrieta Patch

Below, we continue our collection of 10 good news stories from Patch editors across America, starting with a few more stories of inspiration courtesy of America’s veterans:

Helping Homeless Veterans

In Pinellas County, Florida, 329 veterans spend each night in without housing — but a small grassroots organization is working to change that. Created four years ago, Celebrate Outreach is providing tiny homes to homeless veterans in the St. Petersburg area. By Skyla Luckey for St. Pete Patch

Honoring Father’s Tradition

Every year ahead of Nov. 11, Katy Kennedy's late father had a tradition. U.S. Army Sgt. Jerry Glenn Forsyth, a veteran of the Vietnam War, sent out Veterans Day cards to a list of 10 veterans to thank them for their service. Before her father's death in August 2018, Kennedy found the list of names in his desk while going through paperwork. Now, Kennedy continues the tradition and has expanded the list to nearly 1,000 names. By Jonah Meadows for Wilmette-Kenilworth Patch

Military And Music

In a storybook life, Connecticut resident Stanley Kavan helped liberate Europe during World War II and then shared music through two of the most iconic artists in history. Now at 97, Kavan published a book of poetry called, "The Delicious Little Book of Love, Laughter, and Tears," which spans his time in the military, his career as a music executive and his community involvement. By Chris Dehnel for Milford Patch

First Commander

Earning the title of brigade commander speaks volumes, but the title itself is not nearly as significant as what it means to Midshipman 1st Class Sydney Barber and other Black women in the United States. Barber, who hails from Lake Forest, Illinois, accomplished something truly historic — she is the first Black woman to be named a brigade commander in the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland. By Jonah Meadows for Lake Forest Patch

6th Grade Rapunzel Gifts Hair

Eleven-year-old Samantha Tamburri just donated her 13-inch ponytail to Locks of Love, a charity that gifts custom-made hair prosthetics to disadvantaged children who have suffered hair loss as a result of medical conditions. It took her three years to grow it. Not only would she do it again, she said, she's already done it, again and again. By Rich Kirby for Bethel Patch

Raccoon Rescue

Orange County firefighters last weekend made a furry rescue when they were able to help a baby raccoon trapped by rising floodwaters. The rescue happened during a rainstorm, and when Animal Control was unable to reach the helpless critter, firefighters were able to step in. By Ashley Ludwig for Mission Viejo Patch

Woof On A Roof

Orange County firefighters weren't the only ones stepping in to save a four-legged creature in distress this week. In Eastport, New York, a dog named Fred found himself stranded on his human's roof until a group of firefighters came to his rescue. The homeowner said Fred sneaked out of the second-floor window and climbed onto the roof. The dog was unable to climb down and found himself stuck. By Lisa Finn for Eastport Patch

$30,000 Pay Day

Santa Monica bus driver Eric Bailey walked away with $30,000 this month after appearing "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.” The father and essential worker competed on an episode that aired Nov. 1. Host Jimmy Kimmel described Bailey as having “a friendly smile under his face mask,” adding Bailey is someone who has continued helping people throughout the pandemic. By Nicole Charky for Santa Monica Patch

Hopes For TV Mom Reunion

On a recent episode of “Live with Kelly & Ryan,” host Kelly Ripa showed the audience a photo of herself when she starred as the character Hailey Vaughan Santos on "All My Children." In the photo, she's holding Lorenzo, her fictitious baby on the show. For a few months, Lorenzo was played by a girl — Olivia Daddona, now 19 years old. At one point, Daddona reached out to Ripa in hopes of re-creating the photo. Recently, that dream came true. By Lisa Finn for North Fork Patch