Friends and family are remembering a local World War II veteran who died Friday, almost a year after he traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of the first Kern County Honor Flight.
17 News introduced you to 90-year-old Stan Schwartz last May.
The Air Force veteran made a big impression on everyone on the Honor Flight. Vets and organizers alike fell in love with his infectious personality.
Friends say Schwartz was always on the move, because he just loved meeting people.
Last year, he described what it was like, when he arrived in Washington D.C. for the first time.
"We were wondering what's all this clapping about? We looked around and said, no this must be for us, there's no more movie stars on the plane," Schwartz said last May.
"We knew who was on it. I kind of like that, It made you feel good, like you're wanted, and that's something that's always helpful for an old man," said Schwartz.
"I couldn't keep up with him," said David Hernandez, Schwartz's Honor Flight escort.
"A lot of the guys, being that age, were in wheelchairs and things, but he didn't want a wheelchair. He wanted to move around a lot, so we got a second guardian to help him."
"We've lost three of our Honor Flight vets in a week and it's hard," said Lili Marsh, Honor Flight organizer.
"I think we forgot about that part of it when we started planning this adventure."
Honor Flight organizers say it's a reminder that time is of the essence when it comes to sending our World War II veterans to see their memorial in Washington D.C.
They say if we don't send them now, someday it will be too late.
