TAMPA, Fla. — A simple purchase at a thrift store turned into a very special find for one veteran’s family.
Theresa Sutton was putting books away at a thrift shop in Lakeland when a book caught her eye. It was an aviators log book, dated 1945, during World War II.
“It’s just so unique,” Sutton said. “So interesting.”
Sutton paid 50 cents to buy the book. Then, she spent five years trying to find out who that book belonged to.
She was excited when she was able to finally pinpoint someone who could help at the American Legion in Lake Wales.
“I looked so long,” Sutton said as she wiped away tears. “Sorry. I looked so long for the right person to hand it to. It made me feel better.”
The book was dated 1945, during World War II. (Spectrum News/Dalia Dangerfield)
With the help of Kathryn Gates-Skipper with the American Legion of Lake Wales, they found out more about the veteran. His name was Sgt. Henry Hajenian. He was a Marine stationed in Cherry Point, N.C.
Sgt. Hajenian served two years. The flight book belonged to him.
Recently, Skipper and Sutton delivered the book to his daughter, Katia Moore. She lives in Tampa.
Moore said she didn’t know a lot about her dad, who died when she was just 8 years old.
“There’s not a lot I have of his,” Moore said. “It’s very sparse.”
Having the book gives her something to treasure.
“I love it,” Moore said. “It’s amazing. It’s wonderful.”