Alvin Vaira

"Bud" was born on June 16th, 1924 in a log cabin near Andes, Montana. He was the son of Aldo and Polly Vaira, and was one of seven boys. Bud spent his early years working on the family farm. He frequently mentioned that he and his younger brother, Guido, stayed in the sheep wagon to herd the sheep at a very young age, where they lived on fudge. Bud joined the Army Air Force on January 14, 1943 when he became a member of the 385th Bomb Group, 551th Squadron, 8th Air Force. Bud was a toggoier on a B-17 Fortress, where he released bombs on target after signal from the lead craft. He made seven missions before his plane was shot down, and was taken prisoner-of-war and held at Stalag Luft #1 at Barth, Germany, for two months. Following the war, Bud went to the University of Denver graduating with a B.S. degree. He married Dixie Goode in 1967. The majority of Bud's working years was spent with Rain and Hail Insurance as a field representative/crop hail insurance adjuster. He loved his work because it kept him close to the land and gave him the opportunity to befriend many people. He retired at the end of 1998. Bud is survived by his wife, Dixie; 2 daughters; 6 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 5 brothers; many relatives & friends. Visitation is Wednesday, Nov. 16th from 4 pm - 7 pm at Horan & McConaty Mortuary, 3201 S. Parker Rd., Aurora, CO. Graveside services with a horse drawn caisson will be held at Ft. Logan Nat'l Cemetery on November 17, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at Shelter "A." Bud will be greatly missed by his loving family and a host of friends.