Local former Vietnam War POW shares his story to inspire others - Forsyth News

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Local former Vietnam War POW shares his story to inspire others

During the Vietnam War, Lee Ellis flew 53 missions over North Vietnam as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot before his jet was shot down on Nov. 7, 1967 and he became a prisoner of war for five-plus years. Photo submitted

09102023VIETNAM VETERAN — During the Vietnam War, Lee Ellis flew 53 missions over North Vietnam as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot before his jet was shot down on Nov. 7, 1967 and he became a prisoner of war for five-plus years. Photo submitted

Julia Hansen

FCN regional staff

Updated: Sep 14, 2023, 7:22 PM

Published: Sep 10, 2023, 1:00 PM

At almost 80 years old, perseverance is something Dawson County resident Lee Ellis knows well. Before he became the man he is now, Ellis was a prisoner of war for more than five years in Vietnam.

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'I just got hit... by a car.' Teen recalls how a bike helmet saved his life in a hit-and-run, and inspired this award-winning project

Clark Koepp (left) and Colin Gorgone, pictured with Koepp’s Science Fair project on bike helmets, at the Sharon Forks Library in April 2025. - photo by Travis Jaudon

05062025BIKE HELMET — Clark Koepp (left) and Colin Gorgone, pictured with Koepp’s Science Fair project on bike helmets, at the Sharon Forks Library in April 2025. - photo by Travis Jaudon

Travis Jaudon

Forsyth County News

Updated: May 6, 2025, 9:40 PM

Published: May 6, 2025, 1:25 PM

A routine bike ride followed by a life-changing crash led to a science project that could save lives. A Forsyth County teen’s near-tragedy inspired a young friend’s award-winning mission to make helmets safer for everyone. FCN talked with the boys and their parents about what happened, and the message they want to share with everyone.

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