Drive-thru Birthday Salute to Honor Veteran Walter Hushak

SOUTHINGTON – World War II veteran and longtime civic leader Walter Hushak will be honored with a caravan of family, friends and other well-wishers to celebrate his 98th birthday on Wednesday.

The drive-thru birthday salute, which has become a popular way to celebrate occasions during the pandemic, will take place outside Hushak’s home at The Orchards, 34 Hobart St., in Southington. Organizers say anyone is welcome to participate.

“It’s a great way to honor a Southington legend,” said Christopher Fortier, Southington native and news director at WATR Radio, who coordinated with The Orchards and Hushak’s daughter, Maureen Murphy, to plan the event. “There are very few people who have personified true character and devotion to country, family and community more than Mr. Hushak. He’s tireless and someone to be admired. I’m glad we’re able to remind him of the impact he has had on his hometown.”

Hushak was a B-24 Liberator bomber pilot in World War II and served in the Air Force Reserves for 27 years before retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

For more than 70 years, he was active in community, business and political circles, serving on the Town Council from 1977 to 1981 and volunteering on other municipal boards and commissions into his 90s. Hushak for decades also led veteran outreach efforts with local schools and other area groups. Until 2018, he organized for 25 years the Waterbury-Oxford Airport leg of the Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour, featuring historic military fighter planes.

The drive-thru birthday salute begins at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6. Participants are encouraged to make signs, wave American flags, “or simply offer a wave, give a thumbs up and let Mr. Hushak know he is appreciated,” according to Fortier.