Edward “Bud” Berthold, who was a B-24 bomber pilot in World War 2, received a major home renovation at his residence in Fox River Grove to celebrate his 106th birthday. | Provided Photos
By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner
A 106-year-old veteran of World War II has received an amazing birthday gift after supporters and donors renovated his McHenry County home to assist him with his continued care.
Edward “Bud” Berthold was a B-24 bomber pilot in World War 2 who flew over 35 successful combat missions as the pilot of the famed Fort Worth Maid B-24 Liberator at the age of 24.
The bombing runs included runs on D-Day over Utah Beach.
Edward “Bud” Berthold, who was a B-24 bomber pilot in World War 2, received a major home renovation at his residence in Fox River Grove to celebrate his 106th birthday. | Provided Photos
The goal of the Bud Project was to raise money and labor needed to renovate Berthold’s home in McHenry and to make his house wheelchair accessible, according to Mark Finnegan, the President and Co-Founder of VetsRoll, which is a veteran charity non-profit.
The work included a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system and an ADA-compliant ramp to make it easier for Berthold to get around.
The work also included new bathroom fixtures, new doors, new cabinets, updated electrical wiring, a new roof and a new driveway.
A GoFundMe account has raised almost $20,000, not including a $5,000 donation from a local business.
Read more here.