KISSIMMEE, F.L. - Vern Smith, a U.S. Navy veteran and resident of Good Samaritan Village in Kissimmee, turned 100 on April 12.
“You see in the movies dive bombers flying wildly about the sky, that is all Hollywood,” he said. “The plane has to be flown in a precise manner and when the dive (air) brakes under the wings are deployed, you slow down and almost stall.”
Originally from Alpena, Mich., Smith has lived in the village since 1987, and his son Dane joined him there some 12 years ago.
Travis Staples, Senior Director at the Kissimmee Village, stated what an honor it was for him and the staff to serve residents like Vern Smith later in their lives. Coincidently, the Good Samaritan Society, the parent organization of Kissimmee’s Good Samaritan Village, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.