WWII Memorial
LaVern Pyles Jr. ’43
Fall 2004
Civil engineer LaVern Pyles of Fayetteville,
Pa., retired Navy commander, attended the dedication of the World War II Memorial
on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Memorial Day weekend.
A native of Washington,
Pyles played baseball as a teenager on the Washington Monument grounds
and was administered the oath of office at the old Navy Department
building, both within two football-field lengths from the WWII Memorial.
He recommends that all of the 1940s generation, either on the home
front or in military service, enroll in the WWII Memorial Registry
by calling (800) 639-4992 or online at www.wwiimemorial.com.
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Vern Pyles celebrated his
86th birthday with an adrenaline rush when he jumped out of a plane
at 14,000 feet. Pyles (bottom) and instructor Bill Culver are freefalling
here at 120 mph. The retired Navy officer is a veteran of three
wars, former state legislator, father of six and grandfather of
five.
He became fascinated with flying at the age of 12 after he joined
his WWI Army Air Corps veteran father in a Tri-Motor Ford aircraft
sightseeing flight over Washington, D.C., his hometown, and Mount
Vernon.
Since then he has been on a glider ride, a parasail ride and up in
a hot air balloon. And now, he’s been skydiving with his Tiger
Rag for good luck.