Last Nov. 22, the McKnight Foundation honored 11 Minnesotans with Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service for 2002. One of the recipients is Bonham Cross, a DPA member and a World War II veteran who flew B-25 Mitchells in combat.

DPA member Bonham Cross, who flew B-25s over Italy during World War II and lost much of his hearing in the process, was honored last November by a Minnesota foundation for his volunteer service to the deaf.

The annual McKnight awards recognize exceptional volunteers who demonstrate the difference one person can make in serving others. The awards, each including a $7,500 check, were created in 1985 to honor Minnesota residents who give their time and energy to enhance the quality of life in their communities.

Bonham's citation reads: "For giving hard-of-hearing people opportunities to participate in public life.:

While flying a combat plane in World War II, Bonham Cross partially lost his hearing. Although he isn't deaf, he understands the needs of deaf people. He worked with the Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens to persuade the legislature to establish the TTY text-messaging system, which enables deaf people to communicate with hearing people by phone. He volunteers with the Minnesota State Association of Self-Help for the Hard of Hearing (SHHH) and Vision Loss Resources/Deaf-Blind Services of Minnesota and shows organizations how to adapt available technology so hard-of-hearing people can participate in meetings.

"He has helped bring together those who have normal hearing and those who do not, so we can be one community and work together," said Rich Diedrichsen, president of SHHH.

Other news aboutDPA's membersOur newest deaf private pilots are Matt Herrman of Glenwood, IA, and Toks Desalu, who flies out of Plainfield, IL. Matt is a student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he was selected as one of 12 members of the university's flying team. He also was elected to Alpha Eta Rho, the national collegiate aviation fraternity. Toks, a student at Lewis University, passed his checkride on New Year's Eve 2002. Cheers to both Matt and Toks!Two DPA members who recently logged their 1,000th hours are Mark Stern, who owns a Piper Archer, and Henry Kisor, owner of a straight-tail Cessna 150.And a hearty welcome to the following new members of DPA: Carl Valeri, Spring, TX, a CFII with a deaf student pilot; John T. Mills, Manchaca, TX; Betsy Kath, Garner, NC; Schaefer Kath, Garner, NC, a student pilot; John Vary, The Villages, FL, a new private pilot; Caroline Vary, The Villages, FL; Isaac Rotman, Los Angeles, CA; Janet Seivert, Milwaukee, WI; Oscar Marcus, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Lila Marcus, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Jose Carols Dias, Le Pie Saint Gervais, France.