DEAR SUN SPOTS: The L & A Veterans Council is seeking donations to help bring the Vietnam War-era LTV A-7D Corsair II fighter jet to the Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston from its current location in Helena, Montana. The plane, more than 48 feet long with a wingspan of nearly 40 feet, would be refurbished and mounted on a pedestal to become a crown jewel military artifact next to the multiple memorial stones and benches in the park next to the Androscoggin River. The United States Air Force museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio awarded the plane to the L&A Veterans Council and gave it permission to transport the plane to Maine. It’s believed the plane last flew with the Ohio National Guard in Panama in 1991 during Operation Just Cause. L & A Veterans Council chairman Jerry Dewitt traveled to Montana last fall and helped to dismantle the wings and tail to prepare the plane for transport. Donations to help transport the plane to the Twin Cities can be made to www.gofundme.com/A-7toLewiston. For more information, contact Jerry Dewitt at 207-783-4663, ext. 1228.

— Jerry, no town

ANSWER: This is pretty exciting! Jerry, please keep us posted on the progress of this historic project that honors our veterans.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m trying to locate a hard copy of a book called “Our Mary Jo” by Georgetta Potoski. I know it’s available on Nook or Kindle, but I don’t have either and I don’t plan to get them. I had seen on a Facebook post that the book could be obtained from the Misericordia University Book Store, but I called them and they don’t have a copy. In the Facebook post, it said to mail a check for payment to a post office box in Plymouth, Pennsylvania. I did that and my letter was returned. Could Sun Spots or a reader help me get a hard copy of this book? Thank you.

— No name, no town

ANSWER: I have spent quite a bit of time researching this for you. The post you saw on the Edgartown Book Store Facebook page about a hard copy of this book is from 2015. Currently, “Our Mary Jo” is only available on Kindle or Nook. I have reached out to the co-author, William Nelson, through social media to see if he has any copies. He’s the son of Georgetta Potoski.

Meanwhile, the fine lady at Edgartown Bookstore (1-508-627-8463) recommends another book that she believes depicts the fatal accident and its outcome most accurately. The story of Mary Jo Kopechne, who died in the infamous automobile accident involving Senator Ted Kennedy in 1969, has renewed interest because the 50th anniversary of this tragic accident is coming up. The recommended book is “Chappaquiddick Tragedy: Kennedy’s Second Passenger Revealed” by Donald Frederick Nelson. This book sells on Amazon for $23 or a local bookseller could get it for you.

I will be sure to reveal more information on “Our Mary Jo” if the author gets back to me!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: What has happened to Katie Bavosa on Channel 6? She hasn’t been on for a long time.

— No name, no town

ANSWER: The hard-working journalist who graced News Center 6 for five years moved to Massachusetts to be closer to loved ones.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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