A flight around town for Joe Manning

Harvey Sawyer, owner of Silver Ranch Airpark in Jaffrey, and World War II Veteran Joe Manning of Rindge return from a scenic flight around the region.

Harvey Sawyer, owner of Silver Ranch Airpark in Jaffrey, and World War II Veteran Joe Manning of Rindge return from a scenic flight around the region. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

Marcie and Joe Manning of Rindge got a free flight from pilot Harvey Sawyer on Friday, as a thank you from Sawyer to Manning for his service in World War II.

Marcie and Joe Manning of Rindge got a free flight from pilot Harvey Sawyer on Friday, as a thank you from Sawyer to Manning for his service in World War II. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

Marcie and Joe Manning of Rindge got a free flight from pilot Harvey Sawyer on Friday, as a thank you from Sawyer to Manning for his service in World War II.

Marcie and Joe Manning of Rindge got a free flight from pilot Harvey Sawyer on Friday, as a thank you from Sawyer to Manning for his service in World War II. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

Harvey Sawyer lands his Cessna Skyhawk after giving a free scenic tour to Marcie and Joe Manning of Rindge.

Harvey Sawyer lands his Cessna Skyhawk after giving a free scenic tour to Marcie and Joe Manning of Rindge. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

By ASHLEY SAARI

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

Published: 11-03-2023 8:16 AM

Silver Ranch Airpark owner Harvey Sawyer took another of the area’s few remaining World War II veterans to the air Friday, giving a free scenic tour to Joe Manning, 97, of Rindge.

The flight included a flyby of the top of Mount Monadnock, a view of Manning’s home on Lake Contoocook and a circle of the region to take in the late-fall views of local peaks and town centers.

Earlier this month, Sawyer gave a similar ride to Bill Coleman of Rindge, a World War II Army Air Force veteran, and said he has also made plans to give a ride to Jaffrey’s other remaining WWII veteran, Don Lawler.

Manning served as a member of the Navy Construction Battalion in World War II, building bases in the Pacific. Though born in Massachusetts, after the war, he settled in Jaffrey with Coleman. Together, Coleman and Manning opened a fiberglass production business.

Manning was also  involved in the community, having served on the Fire Department, Zoning Board, Budget Committee and VFW Ambulance crew. He was also a member of the Lions Club, Rotary Club, TEAM Jaffrey, the Festival of Fireworks Committee and part of the group that worked to revive The Park Theatre. He also served as a state legislator in the House of Representatives from 1992 to 2004.

Ashley Saari can be  reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaarI@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.